Albert Bandura is considered to be one of the greatest psychologists who has advanced the theory of social learning. To put it simply, learning through observation, imitation, and modeling is called social learning. A person learns from another person’s experience. Thus, an individual’s learning is determined by the social contexts. This proves the fact that learning cannot be done in isolation.

Social learning is not a new concept. It was prevalent in the organization even before the entry of technology. The employees communicated with each other during coffee breaks, during a commute, and even over calls that kept driving their learning. But the entire landscape has changed due to the rise of social media platforms. Twitter, Facebook (News - Alert), Instagram, Quora, and LinkedIn are leading social networking sites that have created a whole new buzz about social learning. As GenZ or millennial workers enter the workforce, the need for social technology will be more and more. For instance, quora have become a whole new platform where experienced professionals share information, knowledge, and experiences across various subject matters. All you need is to write a question and you’ll be flooded with answers from experts all across the world. So isn't this global learning collaboration amazing?

Seeing the way such social networking sites have amassed popularity, organizations or you may say the corporate world has started integrating social networking tools at the workplace. This is to ensure that they keep pace with the advancing technology and the employees don't feel left behind.

Another reason why organizations are integrating social learning via technology is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As WFH is the new normal, organizations are trying to ensure that employees don't feel detached and isolated.

Now the question is, what is the solution? What is that technology that can promote continuous social learning with changing times? A learning management system (LMS) is the answer.

A learning management system is a web-based technology that is used to plan, implement and track the training process. An AI-powered LMS is equipped with fantastic tools that assist social learning.

Role of an LMS in social learning-

1. User profile-

This is like a virtual ID card of an employee displaying essential information like- name, photo, job, etc. An LMS allows employees to create such profiles which are visible to other employees as well.

2. Discussion forums-

An LMS leverages social learning by establishing such forums where online learners or employees can easily interact, share queries, raise questions, get answers and share the basket of information on board.

They have complete liberty to start new discussions or continue the existing ones and hence give huge scope for informal learning.

For instance, discussion can be done to know which is the most trending eLearning course for data analysts.

3. Web conferencing-

Initially, after the pandemic when work from home started, employees and online learners were happy as it gave them the benefit to work comfortably without getting stuck in a heavy traffic jam.

But sooner it was realized how employees and online learners felt isolated. To address this, organizations began to use web conferencing tools so as to ensure face-to-face interaction between employees. It gives you a sense of happiness that there are others working with you. 

4. One on one Q&A with the experts-

An LMS offers an opportunity to online learners to stay in touch with online instructors who are subject matter experts. This can be helpful to online learners in various ways. Like-

• After online training assessments, the online learners can interact with online instructors to get their doubts cleared.
• The online learners can seek guidance about which eLearning course they should opt for after finishing the present online training.
• “Experts bulletin boards” can be created for general online learning guidance.

5. Private chats-

Often, online learners or employees have doubts that they feel should be asked privately. Thus, an LMS provides personal chat rooms to them where they can comfortably interact with one another.

Such private chat rooms can be used for discussing eLearning projects, online training assessments, and so on.

6. Sharing eLearning content-

There might be instances when you have access to an online training library but still miss out on some important eLearning material. This is where an LMS enables online learners to share eLearning content by sending links and files to their friends or colleagues.

Also, the online learners can share what they have already learned and what eLearning material they used to score well in online training assessments. Thus enabling user-generated content is a great way to promote social learning.

7. Gamification-

By implementing games in social learning, the employees get more excited about their training which keeps them going. This can be helpful in the following ways-

• E.g- PepsiCo has adopted a game called “Minecraft” where the online learners create 3-D worlds, go on adventures, and interact with others to solve challenges. This is to make online learning more engaged via social interaction.
• The eLearning storyboards or leaderboards also keep the spirit of learning high. By seeing others' achievements displayed publicly one too strives to perform better.

8. Mobile optimization-

Creating an app for an LMS is an excellent solution to engagement-related issues. Since everyone today has a smartphone, it makes it easier for online learners to interact with peers. You don't have to always sit near your desktop or laptop. You can access your eLearning profile anytime and anywhere.

9. Content rating and comments section-

An LMS enables the eLearning project manager and online instructors to know what online learners think about eLearning courses. Do they like it? What aspects they don't like? What other topics can be included? What is missing in eLearning projects? Isn't the eLearning content good enough?

Online training assessments quantify our understanding but do not give us a true picture of how well we’ve received the information. But when online learners have an option to rate eLearning content and give feedback via comments, it brings the entire organization to one stage. They can easily collaborate using such a platform.

Conclusion-

From the above discussion, it is clear that eLearning and social learning go hand in hand. It builds a strong work culture where everyone can interact and collaborate. An LMS makes life much easier for organizations by bringing more transparency and effectiveness in online training.