Blended learning is a learning method that combines distance and face-to-face training. It presents numerous advantages, in particular a learning pace adapted to each profile, a reduction in the cost of training and increased freedom during the course. This type of training generally takes place online and offers a few classroom sessions. This lack of proximity is sometimes considered to be A weakness of this methodology educational, yet at the top of the 2020 trends. Is it possible to combine social learning with this type of training in order to promote social interaction? Can you, reading the title, doubt the answer? It's gone.
What does social learning consist of?
The Social learning is a collaborative learning method based on interactions between participants. It consists of training within a group composed of tutors, colleagues, learners or other collaborators. Its principle is based on the theory of social learning, according to which a child quickly learns the behaviors he observes. In the same way, it would therefore be easier to assimilate and imitate after observation rather than after a long learning process. Thus, within the company, one of the skills most quickly assimilated is assimilated by observation: the use of the coffee machine. In addition, experts in pedagogy say that the brain remembers 90% of information when it is shared by others, compared to 10% to 20% when it is taught. Social learning thus develops the concept of sharing. The role of trainers is no longer limited to transmitting their knowledge and know-how. They lead the courses and offer a real exchange with the learners. They can also share their personal achievements and the results of their own research. Thus, the employee who has been working for a week will teach the person who arrives the following week how to make a coffee. It's the life cycle in business.
The benefits of social learning in business
We talked to you about ensuring a constant level of caffeine in your employees, but that's not all. Social learning is based on group work and the contribution of learners. It values each participant and improves their sense of belonging to a group of collaborators. The risks of reduced motivation linked to a feeling of isolation are therefore considerably reduced. In this type of learning, learners benefit from the opportunity to question their tutors, but also the other participants. They have the opportunity to share their knowledge and to receive information provided by their colleagues. In addition, social learning encourages everyone to take part in the debate. This training method thus contributes to strengthening the ties between the participants and encourages them to cooperate. In addition, it creates a genuine competitive spirit and promotes the emulation of a group of collaborators. Friendly oratory jousts between the coffee team and the tea team, under the leadership of a hot drink expert (there are some) will thus promote synergy within the team. In addition, social learning allows companies to reduce training costs. By promoting the sharing of experiences and know-how between employees, it avoids in particular the use of external actors. It capitalizes on existing knowledge.
This methodology of collective work improves the productivity of the company. By participating in a variety of activities, sharing, and debates, learners become more active. Social learning contributes to increasing their ability to assimilate and their motivation. Studies show that people remember 70% of the information they say or write, 90% of the actions they perform, and only 20% of what they listen to. In addition, it has been proven that synergy between employees optimizes the performance of service teams. By promoting interaction between learners, social learning therefore contributes to increasing their effectiveness in carrying out their activities. In addition, exchanges between instructors and learners are prioritized during learning. Social learning allows the company to identify the skills of each of its employees. Managers can thus quickly obtain feedback from the training and adjust the modules according to the needs of the learners. You will thus be able to set up a “cold drinks” process if your employees inform you that they are hot, or if you hire a fruit juice drinker (or water... but it's weird, to drink water, anyway.)
Applying social learning to blended learning
Contrary to popular belief, social learning promotes virtual social interaction through corporate social networks. These can even constitute genuine learning communities. It can thus be combined with blended learning to ensure the professional training of employees. As a reminder, blended learning is a hybrid learning method that offers both face-to-face sessions and distance training. The latter are often composed of theoretical modules. They are sometimes a disadvantage, as they reduce the motivation of learners who often feel isolated during their learning. It is difficult, for example, to assimilate the coffee machine training via video, especially when you cannot then chat over your drink. Social learning can solve this limit by promoting learners' social interaction. You can even organize virtual aperitifs after work, everyone in front of their screen with their glass! And we're not saying that to keep joking about drinks, it's really an easy and enjoyable team-building method. Apart from social media, other tools remain to be exploited to put this type of learning at the service of blended learning, such as LMS and LCMS platforms.
An LCMS or Learning Content Management System is a content production platform. elearning. This tool makes it possible to create the educational modules that make up hybrid training. It is also used to manage content in such a way as to facilitate access to resources at any time. It is intended for educational managers in vocational training. Design teams and trainers benefit from using it. Instead, learners use LMS or Learning Management System tools. This type of platform integrates the resources necessary for training and makes them available to learners. It includes comprehensive assessment tools that report each learner's progress to instructional leaders during learning. An LMS tool is in the form of a website where you can connect and download course content. Having understood the value of social learning for blended learning, designers generally offer social interaction tools on their LMS or LCMS platforms. In particular, some learning sites provide a chat tool that allows you to discuss online and in real time if necessary. Multiple ancillary tools are also available, such as videoconferencing, collaborative applications, document sharing, etc.
Social learning is an ideal solution to promote the development of digital technology in blended learning. In particular, experts in the digital field offer online learning materials with real-time communication tools.
