subject: Types of Social Media Users [print this page] Types of Social Media Users In recent discussions most experts agree that social learning is here to stay, differing only in the degree to which its used. The workplace culture of an organization is identified as the biggest challenge in implementing social learning. Leigh Duncan- Dursts blog gives an interesting categorization of the users of social media. This was written as a response to Beth Hartes post on what (or what doesnt) make a social media expert. This categorization could be a good reference or a framework for HR departments which are planning to implement social media for workplace learning. An expert? Who, me?
Leighs suggestion is to look at peoples engagement with social media as a continuum, in evolving stages, which gives a clearer idea of the expertise that one can expect. This is because as one go from one level of familiarity to another, the degree of engagement increases. And with more engagement comes more expertise. So instead of experts, she gives us six levels of awareness leading to social media nirvana: 1. Clueless
2. Questioning
3. Experimenting
4. Active
5. Immersed
6. Influential The first two levels describe a state of dormancy the inactive stage. If youre here, then either you dont know about / arent interested in this new phenomenon; or youre just getting to know what its about. If you have got past these to experimenting, youve become a joiner testing the waters with scholarly enthusiasm, holding judgment till youve figured out how itll work for you. Come to the active stage (or beyond), and you are out there pioneering in the social media terrain. You are creating new networks, finding out more about the new technologies, using these tools to help grow businesses and contributing to the knowledge pool. You are amongst the Collectors, Critics and Creators of social media. Leigh summarizes her idea with a really neat graphic: Source: http://livepath.blogspot.com Getting there
These categories seem to be an accurate description, although in all fairness, I personally have just come across the first four. Actually, with a little bit of modification, these would be accurate about any new technology that is widely used or any new knowledge base thats built on collective knowledge. A body of knowledge cant endure if its not growing. And if technology doesnt evolve, it wont survive. But thats another story (or post ). I personally would place myself somewhere between the second and third levels (looking at moving on to the next one soon). Whats making me move at such a cautious pace is the rather overwhelming enthusiasm of the very active social media users, which has had quite the reverse effect. So while I wouldnt exactly call myself a convert, yes, I do believe in social media - this Article being proof.
Source: http://livepath.blogspot.com Getting there