What is social learning?
E-learning methods have evolved in parallel to the digital revolution, resulting in greater functionality that has allowed social learning to emerge.
Social learning is based on interaction between learning group members to develop each other’s skills. This method is also known as crowd learning or collaborative learning.
What are the main features of social learning?
In 1970, the psychologist Albert Bandura extolled the virtues of social learning. Observation,mimicking behavior and emotions are the keys to success with this form of learning. Interactions serve to explain concepts and answer questions from members.
In this social learning format, participants are both learners and teachers. There is an emphasis on teamwork, to encourage mutual support. This e-learning system develops a sense of belonging and facilitates learning.
The social aspect of this learning method is crucial to its effectiveness.
Nowadays, it takes more than high quality instructional materials to motivate learners. Today’s e-learning courses need to build relationships and move beyond the digital frontier.
However, the idea of social learning is often conflated with social media such as Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. These social platforms allow users to build communities and share “likes” and comments. However, these media are not suitable for instruction-based learning and training. Accordingly, dedicated social learning channels have been developed to promote appropriate teaching materials and forums. Social learning can now be organized via virtual classrooms or an LMS platform.
Pros and cons of social learning
In 2016, Jay Cross, an expert and author of the book “Informal Learning”, claimed that learners develop skills faster when using informal techniques. Social learning, which features in the “70/20/10” model, offers many benefits for learners:
- Training revolves around its participants, who are able to pick topics, study at their own pace, interact with people from different backgrounds and get new information relating to their chosen areas of interest.
- Many companies, including EDF, Cetelem, LCL and 3 Suisses have adopted this communication and exchange-based sharing tool, which is among the solutions most in vogue in recent years.
- Participation rates and appetite for training increase when learners switch from a passive to an active role.
- This learning method values the knowledge and experiences of every group member. All learners take part in debates and exchanges of ideas. As well as learning new things, they are able to share their own knowledge.
- This e-learning approach reduces costs while ensuring effective skills development. Face-to-face training costs more than online training.
This participatory social learning process is revolutionizing learners’ attitudes.
However, this learning solution still needs to evolve further. Progress is hard to measure and quantify. The right balance must be struck, in terms of supervision and monitoring, so as not to distort the social learning format.
In addition, this learning technique is innovative. Some industries may be subject to restrictions preventing them from adopting it.
Social learning can be very successful and totally transform students’ learning experience, provided best practice is followed.
