Date:14/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/04/14/stories/2007041402841100.htm

Back U21G to use social networking concept in learning programmes

Anjali Prayag

Bangalore April 13 Online education programmes will soon open up a whole new way of learning where students can create and consume content according to their needs. By September this year, U21G, a global online education provider, plans to use the social networking idea in corporate learning programmes where employees can collaborate peer-to-peer to form a learning community. The result would be content development in the chosen area and in the long-term, serve as a knowledge management tool for the company.

"We realise that professors no longer have monopoly over knowledge creation or dissemination. Students (especially in corporate programmes) can offer and build the syllabus as they learn," says Prof Jeremy Williams, Dean (Corporate Programmes), Director of Research, U21Global. This concept would be especially useful in customised programmes where the needs of each corporate would differ.

Prof Williams said U21G is considering trying out this new experiment with a programme on sustainable development and CSR. A moderator (a designated professor from U21G), who has already understood the company's education needs in the area would introduce the subject to the employees. Employees would participate and offer content related to the subject by providinglinks, uploading pictures and even talking about their experiences in the area. "The professor or moderator would then help develop content needed for the company based on the feedback. Therefore, as they produce content, employees would consume it." This would also help the company preserve knowledge generated by the employees.

U21G, an online graduate school, has presence in 60 countries and is currently working with more than 20 organisations in India including Satyam Computer, Hero Honda, Wipro, Tata Motors, TCS, HPCL and IOCL.