Blogs, Wikis, AND Podcasts!?!
A recent mention from a mentoring prospect got me thinking about my dissertation topic. I got thinking that I might be trying to measure too much in my initial research. It is a common dissertation problem, trying to take on the world.
This problem risks a tremendous amount of scope creep. Without tight controls the research could delve into areas that do not pertain to the main topic. Aside from that risk, is also the problem of too many variables. Blogs, wikis, and podcasts could overlap and confuse the subjects, thus causing false readings.
It has led me to thinking about limiting the research to one of the possibles. I did limit the research to those 3 from the whole of collaborative learning technology and Web 2.0.
What to choose? Should I limit? Is it too limited now? Is there better tech out there?
This requires thought and discourse; your comments are welcome.
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I don’t think Wikis will ever catch on as a great tool for training and interaction. They are a different animal from what most people experience with Web 2.0. Podcasts are often tied together with blogs. It seems the definition of a podcast and how they are used is not totally clear.
I think my main question is; how should these be implemented? How can they help train employees? The success of these tools depends on how the program of training will be structured.
As mentioned before, I’m very interested in your progress and findings. I even, as a side tangent in dinner conversation last night, mentioned your dissertation topic to some friends. We were discussion UoP, so it wasn’t totally off subject, but still…
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Joel,
Great comments. You have a keen mind for clarifying the details, an important step in the doctoral process. Perhaps you are destined to finish that journey.
Wikis are amorphous, that I completely understand. The wikis I’ve seen outside Wikipedia are poorly implemented. That said, if it could be designed and launched in Wikipedia fashion, I think the results could be great. As you know, knowledge management is a keen interest for organizations. To date KM systems are poorly planned and even more poorly implemented. It is like a radio station without radios. Think about doing a knowledge db search on Microsoft. Ranked lists of docs without much else. You may have a valid point that it won’t catch on in training, especially if it is hard to use.
Podcasts and blogs are sometime synonymous, yes. A blog, I see as more of the written word to a podcast when linked. In terms of training and ADA compliance this is something important, although I’d not thought of it until now.
The implementation could simply be having an RSS feed and Player installed for employees or could go as far as making the RSS feed available outside the company to only employees and include iPods or MP# players of some kind. I am a bit far from the research planning phase but have been thinking of it as well. Why? Primarily I need to complete my lit. review first to further define the topic. I might get down the road and realize it is best defined as podcast-only.
I am thrilled that you have found an interest in the topic. It helps validate my own interest and keeps me motivated. Your thoughts are most welcome.
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