Learning 2.0 and ATM Training
Web 2.0 is the term in use to describe the new generation of internet based services which emphasise collaboration and sharing between users.
In the same strain, Learning 2.0Â refers to a new way of seeing learning where “The learner is no longer viewed as a “recepticle” for knowledge but rather a participant in the creation and/or discovery of what is to be learned. The learner’s role is to contribute their knowledge and (more importantly) experience to the learning environment….”
So what about learning 2.0 in ATM Training?
Well, in some areas, especially when it comes to refresher training, for example, many have been advocating for a long while that the accent should be put on facilitating the discussion between professional learner on the subjects they master because between them they can basically teach each other.
But I think we can use this notion also in other areas of training: Different subjects in ATM, be it AB-Initio ATC CCC training, safety regulation training, CNS training or other, all could be taught using this philosophy. We teachers / instructors could design our training to entice the thirst of learning from our students. We can make them to collaborate in order to find the knowledge, and then we could take the roles of guides and sounding boards. They, in turn, will own the learning.
In the present world where a lot of information and knowledge is available a number of clicks away on the internet [even if this might not be the case for some of the more specialised knowledge in the ATM environment], today’s learners are getting accustomed to be the masters of their own learning. So how about mirroring the training experience we could provide them with to what they are generally used to?
To help us further, a lot of collaborative and knowledge sharing services / tools are being put at our disposal on the internet.
How about starting to use a blog [well if you are reading this you are already familiar with the tool! 
] to disseminate knowledge? Or better still why not asking the students to keep a blog of their learning experience - this could substitute their note books – e.g. Today I learnt that…. and this could be shared with peers, which in turn increases the learning experience.
How about creating a wiki and ask the students to collaborate on a piece of work? Is it not a good learning experience to build knowledge while collaborating with others and where the end result is a document which witnesses this knowledge-gathering and which could be used as training notes…
Well, there are a myriad of things that could be done to put the learner at the centre of the learning experience and to encourage them to actively participate into this experience and to teach each other. Personally I find it more satisfying to push others to draw a conclusion themselves than me giving it to them on a silver plate – how about you?
This is learning 2.0 putting the learner at the centre of the experience and letting them own the learning.
By the way, if you would like to know more about the technologies which could eventually help you in this quest, here is a link to an interesting blog where the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County decided to introduce its staff to learning 2.0 – check this out: http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/Â
*Post linked from Corporate eLearning Strategies and Development blog
