User Generated Content: Placing Value On Unsolicited Information

The Internet is a pool of resources that range from insightful digital marketing research to hilarious cat videos. Gone are the days when content was confined within library halls and exclusive book clubs, content as we know it has acquired a digital makeover. Today, content can be found in variety of forms, from audio to videos. Earlier knowledge was passed down through a formal publication system by experts and scholars. But in the age of the interweb, everyone gets an opportunity to flaunt their prowess and claim their expertise in everything and nothing.

People are more likely to rely on user generated content today compared to a decade ago. More than 50% of consumers rely on user generated content before making a purchase. Brands have been roping in influencers to boost their customer engagement and take their brand to the masses. Apart from the influence on the market, user generated content is growing big in the field of learning. From discussion forums to elaborate blogs, user generated content gives us the opportunity to voice our opinion on a global platform and bring new ideas to the table without the need to certify our expertise in a certain field.

eLearning is all the rage and user generated content is its backbone. It’s one of the most time honoured method of teaching and learning. User generated content gives you the opportunity to harness knowledge and information that is otherwise dispensed in a traditional setting.

Whether consumed daily or on a consumer level, user generated content seems to be the future of learning. While most of us rely on user generated content to a great extent today, there are some critics who question its reliability, quality and consistency. User generated content encourages participation from users and that can definitely be beneficial in an educational setting.