Learning from and with each other: This is an important aspect in corporate training that significantly enhances the learning effect for employees. We will explain why this is the case and how you can specifically improve modern online training through social learning in the following article.

Social Learning: Interaction at the Core

The English term "Social Learning" sounds very modern – but the fundamental idea behind it is not new. Social learning means by wiki definition nothing other than "group work": The social interaction is at the center of social learning. We learn together.

For this social interaction, a large group is not necessarily required: Even one-on-one coaching is social learning. What is important is that an exchange takes place. We learn with each other.

As mentioned, this idea is not new: The theory of social learning was already made popular in the 60s with the social learning theory by Albert Bandura. This theory states that learning is not a passive absorption of information but depends on social contexts. We primarily learn by observing the behavior of others. We learn from each other.

Social learning means: learning together, with each other, and from each other.

Why Social Learning is Important in Training: 70-20-10

Social learning alone is of course difficult to apply: theoretical knowledge and practical application are lacking. From this, a rule has emerged that is often used in further education and that you have probably heard of: The 70-20-10 rule.

With regard to training, the 70-20-10 rule states:

• 10% of learning is based on pure knowledge that is, for example, imparted in training.

• 20% of learning occurs through social learning: interaction with others.

• 70% of learning is “learning by doing”, meaning practical application in the workplace.

Social learning therefore accounts for (at least) 20% of all learning. If you ignore social learning when planning training, the learning effect for learners – your employees – will decrease significantly. Social learning can also facilitate practical application (70%): If employees can observe certain behaviors or processes in others, it becomes considerably easier for them to imitate in the workplace.

Reading tip: In the article "70-20-10: How to Achieve Sustainable Learning in the Workplace," editor Corinna explained this rule in relation to e-learning in detail.

Social Learning in Online Training

Social learning in traditional training is not difficult: in-person classes in groups, active participation, and group discussions are a standard part of most corporate training programs.

Today, the trend is strongly leaning towards online training due to digitization. More and more companies are using online training to educate employees irrespective of time and location. Blended learning becomes especially important: The combination of in-person and online learning is, according to the mmb trend monitor, the most important form of learning for the coming years.

3 Examples of Social Learning in Online Training

Even in online training, you can easily facilitate social learning – thus improving the learning effect for your employees. The following three examples show you how to utilize social learning in e-learning or blended learning:

1. Start Discussion Rounds

E-Learning: A comment section is now part of the standard features of modern online learning platforms. Use this function for group discussions! For instance, ask questions about relevant learning content and encourage your employees to engage in virtual discussions.

Blended Learning: For blended learning, you can prompt discussion topics in the online course and start actual group discussions during an in-person session. This allows all learners to contribute their experiences and benefit from the knowledge of others – enhancing the learning effect for all.

2. Allow File Sharing

E-Learning: Social learning requires that all learners can share content and learning statuses with each other. In an online course, this can be facilitated through a comment function. Additionally, learners should also have the option to share files with one another to actively participate in the course.

Blended Learning: The classic "Please bring your results to the next training day" turns into "Please upload your results to the course." In a face-to-face session, groups can be formed, and tasks assigned, the results of which employees can later flexibly upload to the accompanying online course.

Example of file sharing in an online training: Employees can upload their own content for the entire learning group. Source: blink.it

3. Learn by Example with Videos

E-Learning: A focus in the "Social Learning Theory" is learning by example. You can leverage this in online training: In videos, employees can observe situations from everyday work or workflows. In a training for sales employees, for instance, a perfect negotiation conversation can serve as an example video – encouraging imitation.

Blended Learning: To enhance the learning effect with videos, you can create them during the in-person seminar. Short videos can easily be filmed with a smartphone and later uploaded to the online course. Additionally, you can combine videos with a comment function: Filmed situations can also spark a group discussion. The engaging nature of videos for discussions is evidenced by YouTube for years!

Reading tip: You can find even more practical ideas for collective online learning in our article "3 Exercises in E-Learning."

Conclusion: Social Learning is Worth It for Companies

The examples demonstrate how simple it is to implement social learning in online training. Learning through social interaction not only enhances the learning effect for the individual: Social learning promotes collaboration among employees. Furthermore, through social integration, the sense of responsibility is strengthened – which motivates employees to actively participate in important training.

A prerequisite for good social learning in companies is the choice of the right learning platform for your online courses. A comment function, an upload option for learners, and videos as learning content – this basis for social learning is offered by platforms like blink.it. Test blink.it now for free and without obligation for your company!