It is
that time of the year when Jane Hart (http://c4lpt.co.uk/) polls learning professionals around the world to
weigh in on their top 10 learning tools. Here are my Top 10 Learning Tools
for 2019 (in no particular order):
- Google Search - If I have a question, Google always
has an answer.
- Twitter but more specifically Tweetdeck - This is the first social media app
that I launch on my computer. I use it for both personal and professional
learning and especially like the 'lists' feature to view and participate
in a variety of 'streams of conversations'.
- LinkedIn Articles - I have enjoyed cross posting my blog
posts to LinkedIn and found a different type of audience. I have also
noticed that people find it easier to comment on Linkedin posts rather
than on blog posts and that creates an opportunity for conversations that
are more meaningful.
- Microsoft Word - I do all my professional work using
Microsoft Word and can almost forget about this tool since it has become
seamless with my work.
- Dropbox - I rely on this tool for working in the
cloud, collaborating with clients and teams, for synchronizing my work
across various computers/laptops. I have recently started to use this tool
to share documents and pictures with my family. Everyone seems to be on
board!
- Podcasts - I love all kinds of podcasts but have added
several learning/training/human performance-related podcasts to my list in
the past year. I like the flexibility of listening to podcasts while
walking or taking the transit and it often sparks an idea or two for my
own blog posts.
- Meetup - I have been using this app increasingly over the last year and
enjoy developing personal and professional relationships with people in my
local community - within and outside my area of work.
- Instagram - I use this tool for personal learning around
my hobbies and interests including photography, makeup and cooking! I
enjoy watching 'stories' and find it easier to respond to stories and make
connections with people.
- WhatsApp - This is my go-to tool to stay connected with
my family but recently, I have joined both professional and personal neworking
Whatsapp groups and have found it to be valuable to plan one-on-one
meetings with interesting people that I discovered through the group
chats.
- Slack - In the past year, I found myself using Slack for personal
learning. However, I found it challenging to keep up with too many Slack
groups that are created post a meetup or a workshop or a course for a
follow-up discussion but then no one ever posts anything! On the other
extreme, in other Slack groups, members continue to post 'Fwds' and their
professional bios for job prospecting. I can see the value of the tool so
I am still trying to find my way through the world of Slack for personal
learning.
Other
notable mentions:
Blogger - My blog resides in Blogger so it is a critical
tool for me that offers me a platform to reflect and share. However, I tend to
write long (aka reflective, thoughtful) posts and only post once a month so my
frequency of using this tool is low.
YouTube - This is my 'how to' tool. I use it for
microlearning when troubleshooting tasks both professional and personal and to
learn more about product reviews mostly involving technology products such as
laptops and iPhones!
What
are your Top 10 Tools for Learning? Please share them in the survey here. The Top Tools for Learning 2019 survey will
close on Friday 13 September. Results will be released 8
am GMT, Wednesday 25 September 2019.
