The possibilities for social media in formal learning are endless. Whatever you need likely already exists, but if you follow the strategic design process noted in the previous section and cannot find the tool you need, create it yourself. You can use some of these methods to update traditional classroom learning with social learning, such as conducting a live poll, using augmented reality, or taking notes as a group. 

Have Participants Make Their Own Materials

All too often, learners don’t review official training materials in detail; they file them in a desk drawer, only to throw them out later. Maybe some participants will expect to see every page in order, but these materials can actually restrict the natural flow of training. Why not ask learners to create their own materials as they follow the course using a collaborative note-taking tool such as Gingko? 

To do:

• Create a free account with Gingko.

• Map out the basic agenda for training on a “tree” with a few simple cards.

• Set up the tree for sharing.

• At the beginning of training, or before, show participants how to add, edit, and delete cards.

• During training, rotate the notetaker so that each learner contributes.

• Export the notes to Microsoft Word and send them to your participants. 

Brainstorm Ideas, Conduct Polls, and Administer Quizzes

Traditional brainstorming with sticky notes can be effective in a formal learning moment, but it’s not easy to keep and share the ideas generated. Using a tool such as Socrative will make saving and distributing the ideas much simpler, and you can run polls and tests too! 

To do:

• Create a Socrative teacher account and note your lifetime virtual room number.

• If you want to conduct a test—or a “Space Race” team challenge, to create some fun— write and save your test in advance, using a blend of open, true or false, and multiple choice questions. Alternatively, you can create a “Quick Question” poll on the spot.

• Give the room number to learners so they can participate.

• Download and share a report of the results.

Augment Your Training Materials

Augmented reality—combining physical materials with computer-generated content such as images or video—is trendy, and the wow factor of your materials coming to life can be quite motivating. Using a tool such as the Aurasma app, participants will scan a section of your materials to discover, for instance, video layered over the scanned materials. The video might include additional information or simply a summary of main learning points. 

To do:

• Create an account with Aurasma.

• Create the content that learners will discover with their Aurasma app.

• Choose the trigger image that participants will scan in your materials.

• Link the trigger image to your content.

• Make your trigger image and content public.

• At the beginning of your workbook or training materials, add simple instructions on how to download and use Aurasma.

• Be sure that learners friend you on Aurasma. 

Film Learner Summary Moments

Asking learners to summarize what they have learned will help you assess reaction to learning, acquisition of new concepts, or learner attitude. To make this more entertaining and shareable after training (or with future learners), consider filming the summaries and uploading them to YouTube.

To Do:

• Create a YouTube account where you can upload and organize films later.

• Film participants answering a specific content-themed question.

• If you want to make it more fun, use an app like ChatterPix, which allows you to create a talking picture with the learner’s fun, use an app like ChatterPix, which allows you to create a talking picture with the learner’s voice.

• Upload and share.

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from the TD at Work, “Improving Formal Learning with Social Media” (ATD Press, 2015). Social media’s widespread use and range of tools present a host of opportunities to improve formal learning. Creating communities, as well as finding and sharing ideas, is much easier to achieve in 2015 than ever before. If you use the tools well, you can make formal learning more effective and efficient, increasing learners’ motivation and adding longevity to the learning process. In this issue of TD at Work, you will learn:

• the opportunities and benefits of social media

• strategic approaches to using social media in formal learning

• when and how to use today’s social media tools

• potential obstacles to avoid, as well as keys to success.