Why are Web 2.0 technologies still bleeding edge in corporate training functions?

A recent report of 700 learning professionals conducted by the American Society for Training & Development entitled Transforming Learning with Web 2.0 Technologies found that Web 2.0 technologies is still “bleeding edge” when used within corporate training functions. Only 9% of companies use Web 2.0 technologies in a major way within their learning function.

My last blog - Collaboratories: How can you compete with the most innovative companies in the world? – discussed how the most innovative companies in the world embraced the collaborative learning that is facilitated by the Web 2.0 in their R&D and business processes. However, it appears most are slow to adopt.

Fortunately, the report the future appears brighter than the present. In the same report:

87% of respondents predict in the next three years their companies are more likely to use Web 2.0 technologies than they currently do
77% believe Web 2.0 technologies will improve knowledge sharing to a large or very large extent
95% percent of respondents think that Web 2.0 technology is effective, though the highest marks for it are not very high, indicating that many do not know how to use the technologies and the associated fear of them
But why aren’t the 91% of companies that are not using Web 2.0 technologies in a more prominent manner in the corporate training function, especially when increasing employee productivity must be a key strategic goal for all organizations in this macro economic environment? Moreover, if you look at any recent survey of younger workers in the corporate environment, they all yearn for collaborative, informal learning. They understand and embrace the power of Web 2.0, having used it more than some of us older folks.

Could it be the decision makers tend to be a little older, less Facebook friendly, more passive in decision making in this environment, and thus, clutch to more conventional techniques. We all know what happens with sheep – “sheep get slaughtered1.” I wonder if the initial adoption of emailing had the same type of result.

In this same report, it appears the respondents know in their hearts using Web 2.0 technologies is coming, with nearly seven out of eight respondents saying they will use Web 2.0 more in the near future. It took time for teachers to embrace personal computers in the classroom. They are now resisting smartphones as a powerful learning tool.

Your shareholders should not wait. Your CEO should not wait. The tools are here. They are affordable and easy to implement.

Collaborative learning, cost savings and an environmentally friendly education distribution system our eLearning 2.0 and mLearning platform provides are just some of the benefits of TOPYX®. Our eLearning 2.0 education distribution technologies are paving the way in creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of today’s learner.

For more information, blogs, videos and even test driving TOPYX, please go to www.interactyx.com.


Alfred R. Novas
Chief Executive Officer
Interactyx Limited

al.novas@interactyx.com
www.interactyx.com


Interactyx, the developer of TOPYX®, is at the forefront of developing eLearning and social networking solutions that engage and facilitate knowledge-sharing activities with learners.

[1] Gordon Gekko in Wall Street I (Wall Street II is current being filmed).