Elearning! - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 24)

virtualworldsforlearning life-long learning, applying new learning technologies to meet corporate training needs is critical to IBM. As part of its organizational structure, IBM houses the Center for Advanced Learning (CAL), whose mission ensures that technology that is useful for delivering learning is used for IBM learning programs. CAL accomplishes its mission by researching new technologies, deciding if technologies can be used to further learning, piloting new delivery methods, and assisting in the logistics of implementing new learning technologies. These activities take time, yet — recognizing lack of time as a barrier for an organization striving to keep ahead of the technology wave — IBM has committed to spending the time necessary to complete this research, which is a key component of CAL’ s success. CAL takes the time to conduct proper evaluative research of new education technology and even invents new technology for IBM and others. One technology being piloted at IBM is Immersive Environments, but others are also used. Social software technologies such as blogs, wikis and podcasts have been used throughout IBM for years. It also has a “Facebook”-like tool called BluePages that connects IBM employees throughout the world. In this global village, IBM recognizes the importance of relationships and leverages technologies to facilitate communication among its globally dispersed employees. ago, the intensity of top-down support felt similar to the current hype over virtual worlds. This time, however, the enthusiasm permeates from employees at every level, every discipline and every country. To borrow a phrase from former President George H.W. Bush, Hamilton characterized this organic interest as CAL’s experimentation helped determine that using virtual worlds might help develop international mentoring relationships. As an innovative company focused on technology, IBM’ s senior leaders often take a vocal stance on renaissance technology like virtual worlds. Was there ever a time in the company’ s past when the senior voices of IBM seemed this excited about any other technology? When elearning itself was introduced a decade “1,000 points of light.” A key aspect of training involves new employees acquiring basic skills and knowledge before they start their core work, which can be achieved through mentoring, one of the oldest instructional methods. Further, by examining how new technology is applied to an age-old instructional technique, you will more clearly see that virtual worlds hold tremendous learning potential. MENTORING FIRST Mentoring has been used as an instructional technique at IBM for almost a century. The basic premise involves experienced managers sharing their experiences with younger employees via a one-on-one learning relationship. Traditionally, this relationship has been conducted face to face or, in later years, over the phone or by e-mail. Through CAL’ s expertise, more technological tools have been added to the mentoring programs. These tools, including synchronous chat and Web conferencing, help bridge geographic distances. Still, despite introducing these modern technological tools, mentoring relationships tended to remain regional; for exam- 24 December 2007 / January 2008 Elearning!

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Elearning! - December 2007/January 2008

Elearning! - December 2007/January 2008 Contents Editor’s Note News Google Tops List Learning Hours Increase Web 2.0 Whitepaper Available Listing World-Class Learners Kick Your Career in High Gear Trendline Best of Elearning! Awards Happy Birthday to Us Virtual Worlds for Learning Learning Leaders: Innovation, Excellence Learning Leaders Case Studies The Business Case of E-learning The Business Case for E-learning Case Study: Adecco Case Study: GlaxoSmithKline Case Study: Williams Scotsman New Products Collaboration Tools Content Pop Quiz Last Word

Elearning! - December 2007/January 2008

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