Learning? Nah, history tells me I am just being social-able !!!

Social [Soh-shul] - Pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations

Able [Ey-buhl] - Showing talent, skill or knowledge.






"Social learning, social learning" was the cry but what did they actually mean? There are many different versions of what it is, how you do it, if you can and is there a cost? However That Learning Dude recently tuned in to a webinar from Jane Bozarth and she summed it up perfectly when she said it's not new, it happens already and it's not all about the tools and tech. This is probably the clearest description I have heard. So why then if it is everything she says do people still get confused? In most cases it may well be that people make it sound difficult and spend time being more concerned about the technologies of the time which creates some form of technofear, which alludes to people claiming it's a generational thing, or too time consuming or or or etc etc etc blah blah blah ! Of course the funniest thing about that is this message is spread via social mediums. All this of course got That Learning Dude thinking (a recurring theme). Social learning has been around for a long time but how did we achieve it without some tech and where did the big players in the social media arena really get their ideas from?



So let me take you on my historical whizz through how we became Social-Able.

A long time ago the Neanderdudes took to recording their day to day routines through cave paintings. A varied range of theories as to why they did this go from post ice age Dulux decoration to spiritual ceremonies aimed at drawing out spirits from the cave walls and my favoured link with sharing stories for those who may pass through or live in the dwelling in the future. So here lay the foundations of the first recorded Dude-inar. An artist captured his image by way of prehistoric Instagram moment and more than likely shared an audience with the cookery class going on at the other side of the cave as they roasted the spoils of the hunt whilst observing a carefully painted recipe for buffalo wings on the wall in a Pinterest stylee !

Some time later in ancient Egypt a Wikipedia style movement was well under way. The book of the dead was worked on with multiple writers and editors updating different parts of the book. The interesting part about these and other Egyptian artefacts is how far and wide they have been spread out over the world. A social and global connection all from one culture where those studying ancient Egypt have went to great lengths to recreate what the time may have been like as though it was their second life :-) We must also give consideration to the fact that Hieroglyphs would not have been deciphered if it wasn't for the help of the discovery of the Rosetta Stone ;-)

Viewed 11,000 plus times on You Tube but that is sooooooooo now and not how we did it back in 1919. I say chums lets all head down to the picture house and see what's happening in the world. Pathe News was a social revelation. No longer did you have to read the news but you could see it in the company of friends.

Then of course came the 50's and the advent of  iTunes, granted the pocket version wasn't exactly portable but diners and dance halls around the world increased the knowledge of the hip and groovy kids with new ideals of fashion, music and dance.......just like our happening couple on the right.

By the time the 60's came round revolution was all the rage with festivals, free love and the idea that we all needed connection with mother earth.

It goes on and on and on and the world said let Betamax be my Bebo as will Facebook be my VHS.

And there you have it, we are doing nothing different and social learning evolution has always existed. I can't tell my Canopic Jar from my Microlith but the Egyptians knew this and left enough clues across the globe for interested parties to connect with. If you don't believe me check out the awesome linked in crew at the British University in Egypt and make the distinction. History set the scene for where we are with Social Learning today because we are a social bunch and love to be innovative and create amazing new things. We are Social-Able and learn using what we have created through histories lessons with special thanks to the likes of Marcus Aurelius and his blog type musings "to myself" which made it possible . 

That Learning Dude  follow me @learningXDude