Social Learning and Creating Social Change

Your Name and Title: Shelly D Gooden, Doctoral Learner

School, Library, or Organization Name: Capella University

Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Utah, USA

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Educators, learners, counselors, and individuals focused on positive social change within their community or sphere of influence.

Short Session Description (one line): Social Learning and Creating Social Change

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

How do I define social learning? Is it a noun, adjective, or a verb? Is it simply a collection of Web 2.0 tools found online? Could it be that connection between two people which allows them to look inward and be forever changed? What do I want social learning to mean to me? Can I influence those I serve in a positive way and how will social learning help me create positive outcomes?

This interactive presentation is a safe space for you to examine your own beliefs and attitudes toward social learning, social/collaborative tools, and their influence on those you serve. Several collaborative tools, such as Skype, Glogster, Facebook, and YouTube will be featured during the discussion.

As a medical social worker, crisis and trauma worker, vocational rehabilitation counselor, and helping professional, I was privileged to work with many different individuals. There was one theme I noted. The majority of the time negative outcomes could have been averted if patients, clients, family members, and others could have had access to some form of education. It may have been something as simple as information about domestic violence, programs and services to those needing food and shelter, or health education.

I grew weary of arriving too late. Those I served had already entered the crisis continuum.  The problem was access. How could those who truly needed information gain access to it when they needed it? For me, the answer seemed obvious, technology. I chose to migrate to education from social work and psychology using the bridge of information technology management.

As an adjunct professor facilitating online courses at a postsecondary level I am now able to be a part of transformation in the lives of learners as they become empowered to advocate for themselves. Many of these learners are the first in their families to attend college.  Like me, they are using higher education to break generational cycles of domestic violence and poverty. Although I chose higher education to create this change, I make it clear to those I serve that there are many types of training and education that are just as effective. Each of us is unique and must find what is right for us.

As the learners I serve heal, and recognize their power, they create networks of their own. They reach out to influence the lives of others in a positive way.  In other words, the positive momentum builds upon itself in a very natural way in online and other environments.

I invite you to come and share your own insights and experience as we explore why social learning is important to those of us who are transformative educators and learners seeking positive social change.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: TBA