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Christopher Pappas On Social Media & eLearning

Posted by ann.shea | Filed under Global eLearning, Social media, Uncategorized

We like to hear from notable people in the eLearning space, especially their views about social media and eLearning. Here we share an interview with Christopher Pappas, who combines the two fields so well. Enjoy some thoughts from Αθήνα (that’s Athens to most of us!).

Christopher Pappas is the Founder and Owner of the Instructional Design and eLearning Professionals’ Group (29K+), which is the largest online community of professionals involved in the eLearning Industry at LinkedIn. He’s also the founder of the eLearning Industry Blog, which serves the eLearning industry with news, instructional design and elearning jobs, best practices, and generally free elearning resources. Christopher holds an MBA, and an M.Ed. (Learning Design) from BGSU and currently works as project manager at Learn-e-pedia S.A. (Antenna Group of Companies), which is the largest interactive learning platform from Greek-speaking students and learners.

Ann at QL: You are really friendly, as people quickly discover. Do you remember on which channel we first met and how? Seems like we’ve known each other forever!

Christopher: Although I meet the most professionals via LinkedIn, I am 100% sure that we meet online via Facebook. The truth is that I do not normally use Facebook for professional networking. However, after our online Facebook conversation I realized that Facebook can be used for professional networking as well. I did a post concerning the use of Facebook as an eLearning medium, and then you introduced me to the QuickLessons Facebook App [Izzui]. It’s an application that makes easy to create effective and engaging eLearning courses, and deliver them via Facebook!

QL: You are active on a lot of SoMe networks. What’s your favorite site and why?

Christopher: It is true that I use several social media networks. Since, I am indeed a social person who loves to share knowledge, listen carefully, and learn (lifelong learner) my favorite social media network is LinkedIn. However, I am Twitter addict as well with 10K+ followers. I am very happy because a few days ago I was recognized on The Top 20 most influential tweeters in learning technology!

QL: What are challenges, perks, etc. of founding a LinkedIn Group? How does your group differ from other eLearning groups on LinkedIn? Do you have any special rules?

Christopher: In May 2008, I created the Instructional Design and eLearning Professionals’ Group at LinkedIn, which currently has 29K+ members all over the world. To build an online community of professionals involved in the eLearning industry isn’t easy. This is why we have developed specific group rules, such as:

Be a real human being: Encourage members to sign up with their email address and real name. Limiting membership to real participants keeps the conversations constructive and means no one has to deal with anonymous trolls.
Aim for respectful, constructive conversations: Without constructive feedback and debate, a community won’t be able to achieve its collective goal. Without respect and civility, constructive feedback and debate is impossible.
Be relevant: Ensure members keep posts on-topic and in the correct category of the group. Keep any other comments relevant to the content they’re attached to.

Here’s a list of behaviors I recommend that community members avoid. Do not:

Harass or insult other members: Making personal attacks, insulting other members, or discussing a specific member in a negative way is not ok. The two golden rules are: if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all; and treat others as you’d like them to treat you.
Post private information: Do not publicly reveal information like your email address, phone numbers or addresses.
Spam: Spam is posting the same message repeatedly across online community. Spam is sending the same message to multiple members or promoting or advertising external services, websites or other products.

Our group differs from other eLearning groups not only because of the group rules but also in the process that we follow to approve new members. For example, to approve a membership at the Instructional Designers and e-Learning Professionals’ Group we review the professional profile on LinkedIn. If the member isn’t involved in the eLearning industry, they will not be accepted.

Some of the rewards of being a member of our group are the opportunities to develop a global understanding of the eLearning industry, find new friends, new colleagues, and new partners. My personal rewards are the continuing everyday communication and collaboration with professionals across the globe.

Tags: Christopher Pappas, eLearning groups, Facebook, Learn-e-pedia S.A., LinkedIn, Social Media, Twitter

5 Responses to “Christopher Pappas On Social Media & eLearning”

Christopher Pappas Says:
May 12th, 2012 at 6:02 am

Hi Ann,

Thank you for the wonderful interview.

For your audience that have questions concerning my answers I will be more than happy to answer them. Please leave a comment with your question and I will reply you asap!

Have a wonderful day,
Christopher Pappas
► Founder of the largest #elearning & #IDs group http://ow.ly/aedgS
Phillip Lander Says:
May 14th, 2012 at 7:37 am

hi Christopher,
sounds like a great group. I have just begun the e-learning trail and would love to find out more. I don’t use it yet socially ( I’m too old) but think that i need to learn so that I can keep up my studies which will follow.
Thanks Phillip
Christopher Pappas Says:
May 15th, 2012 at 5:16 am

Hi Phillip,

Thank you for your comment.
Feel free to join our group. If you have questions do not hesitate to post them at the discussion thread. You should be sure that several members will answer them.

If I can be valuable to you do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a wonderful day,
Christopher Pappas
► Founder of the largest #elearning & #IDs group http://ow.ly/aedgS

P.S.: Concerning your statement “I’m too old” I believe in mind. What I mean by that is that I have seen 27y old professionals that their minds/ideas are too old… and I have collaborate with 60y old professionals that had innovative and creative ideas that your couldn’t imagine!
Ann H. Shea Says:
June 13th, 2012 at 1:27 am

Phillip,

I totally second Christopher’s comment that you’re never too old for either learning or social media. My dad is at retired Philosophy and Humanities prof and in his 80′s has a huge following on Ancient Worlds. (a free online community for lovers of ancient history, http://www.ancientsites.com/ )

One great thing about social media is the hallmark of caring, mentoring, and sharing, as you will learn when you join Christopher’s groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. Just dive in and enjoy!
Alleen Bernardez Says:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:11 am

Most of what you articulate happens to be supprisingly accurate and it makes me wonder why I had not looked at this in this light before. Your article truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject goes.