Social learning is a theory based on the idea that people can learn effectively thanks to observation and relations with others. This approach to learning gained popularity with the coming of digital technologies, which have made large-scale interaction and collaboration possible.
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Social learning: what it is
Social learning is not a new concept. It originates from Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, which argues that people learn by observing the actions of others and the consequences of these actions. Bandura emphasised the importance of role modelling, asserting that people are more likely to imitate behaviour if they see that this behaviour produces positive results.
With the coming of the Internet and social media platforms, social learning has taken on a new dimension. People can now connect and collaborate with others on a large scale, sharing ideas, resources and feedback. This has led to the emergence of online learning communities, where individuals can learn together, regardless of their geographical location.
Social learning benefits
Considered one of the most effective ways to disseminate knowledge, social learning brings with it considerable advantages:
- social learning promotes knowledge retention;
- increases employee motivation, because it places the employee at the centre of the learning method, he is teacher and student at the same time;
- social learning facilitates the onboarding of new recruits in the company because it encourages them to have more interactions with more senior profiles;
- social learning stimulates communication in the work team with obvious organisational benefits.
How to implement social learning
Social learning is not the same as group training, but is about learning from the example of others. Here are some solutions for implementing social learning:
FAQ and forum
Creating a forum where employees can ask questions and receive answers is an easy way to promote a social culture of collaborative learning within your organisation
Gamification and rewards
We can consider gamification as the key engagement lever to trigger and foster learning processes in this direction. Now, employees can immerse themselves in a game or a virtual world where they can be educated on new things in a more entertaining way. And while games can be a great single-player experience, they enable employees to explore, solve, and win together. Not only does it make their initial training more captivating to hold their attention, but it can provide an incentive to do well by offering rewards.
Microlearning
Microlearning is an agile and fast learning mode, developed in small learning units. Short training pills with a single focus, delivered via podcasts, blogposts, wikis, Facebook posts, Twitter, audio, etc.
Webinar and videoconference
Organise webinars and video conferences where students can participate in real time. These sessions offer the opportunity to interact directly with teachers and classmates.
Social learning apps in e-learning
With the growing need for distance learning and the rapid spread of technology, e-learning has emerged as an effective way to acquire new skills and knowledge. However, to maximise the effectiveness of e-learning, it’s crucial to incorporate the concept of social learning.
Social learning and e-learning are two closely related concepts. Both exploit the potential of digital technologies to improve learning. Moreover, both recognise the importance of collaborative learning and peer interaction.
Social learning can be integrated into e-learning in various ways. For instance, e-learning platforms can include social media features such as discussion forums, chat and sharing functions. This allows learners to interact with each other, share resources and collaborate on projects. In addition, instructors can use these features to provide feedback and guide discussions.
Moreover, social learning can enrich e-learning by providing a social context to learning. Students not only acquire new knowledge and skills, but also learn how to apply these skills in a social context. This can help make learning more meaningful and relevant.
Why choose social learning
In conclusion, social learning and e-learning are two powerful concepts that, when combined, can offer an enriching and engaging learning experience. Through the use of digital technologies, individuals can learn in a more collaborative and social way, improving not only their understanding of the material, but also their problem solving and critical thinking skills. In an increasingly digitised world, the integration of social learning into e-learning is desiderable.
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