Ning
describes all the networks it supports as “social networks” but this conveys
all sorts of assumptions, largely based on the most widely-recognised Facebook model. However, to take just one example, the
Learning Evaluation Network is closed to the public, and open only to paying
subscribers.
And
so the founders of LEN (of whom I am one) don’t use the term “social network” –
instead it is based on Etienne Wenger’s theory of Communities of Practice, and
on the more recent concept of the personal learning network (derived in part
from the idea of personal learning environments). In fact the term used by LEN
is a “shared learning network”, which encapsulates some of all of the above –
let’s see if that one catches on!
Evaluation
of learning and development is pretty niche. Some would say that about L&D,
and concern about its impact, and relationship with performance improvement, is
even more niche, so evaluation of L&D bounds on the extremes of esoterica…
Except
that it is rather important. Someone told me recently I should forget about
trying to sell clients what they need and focus instead on what they want – at
the risk of perpetuating a form of condescending paternalism, I’m going to
carry on ignoring that advice. L&D practitioners need the learning evaluation network.
All
of which amounts to some philosophical musings about what is really a very concrete
proposition – members who subscribe to LEN connect to experts and practitioners
in learning evaluation from all over the world, get free information, advice
and resources, and the scope to accomplish much more. I think it’s a great
concept, and I commend it to you.
Followers of this
blog can join the Learning Evaluation Network at a discount of 10% from the
published annual subscription by quoting promotional code TL420 when they
register at http://www.airthrey.com/network/
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