Millennials will make up 50% of the workforce by 2020 – introduce social learning to fill the knowledge gap
An important component to a successful learning program includes employee engagement. But how do you encourage employees to take advantage of your online training programs?
While formal learning activities (like webinars and lectures) still have a place in your eLearning strategy, oftentimes some of the most valuable and effective learning comes from discussions and interactions with peers. This is where social learning becomes an invaluable part of any corporate learning initiative.
But, where should you begin? Below are some benefits and tips for getting started with social learning.
1. Encourage Discussion in Internal Messaging Platforms
Whether your company uses Slack, Yammer, Jabber, Skype for Business, HipChat, or other messaging tools, these can be powerful ways to promote learning initiatives.
Did your company just get a new set of courses or learning paths in your LMS? Let your learners know on Slack! Do you have new courses that offer certificates? Post about it in Yammer! These channels are not only beneficial for promoting new training but are also helpful for collecting feedback.
To make things even more convenient, ensure your LMS supports integrations with messaging systems like Slack, or has the opportunity for built-in Q&A discussion.
2. Leverage Social Media
Some companies use social media groups, such as LinkedIn groups, to facilitate conversations. Social learning can be as easy as creating a dedicated channel. Some companies have taken it a step farther and have successfully connected social channels to internal tools.
Great examples include JetBlue’s HelloJetBlue site, which includes a connected @HelloJetBlue Twitter account for employees to stay informed, and Starbucks’ @starbucksprtnrs account connected to its infamous Learning Lab and training initiatives.
3. Facilitate a Forum for a Conversation
Encourage your learners to write blogs, troubleshoot questions, and engage in dialogue in forums. Is there a specific course that all departments have to take? Create a space where learners from different parts of your company can discuss their experiences of different training programs.
Not only is this a great way for employees to enhance their understanding of learning content, it also is a great way for companies to identify successes and pain points within their training. IBM did a great job recently leveraging social learning to encourage conversation around learning activities. Similarly, Hulu’s creation of an internal tool called Huluverse provided a moderated company blog in addition to employee generated microblogs.
According to a PWC, Millennials will make up 50% of the American workforce by 2020. That means there’s going to be a growing knowledge gap in your organization as baby boomers retire and Millennials take their place. Fill that gap by encouraging knowledge sharing through social learning!
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About the author
Spencer Thornton is the Vice President of Content at OpenSesame and is an eLearning industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in the space. As the VP of Content, Spencer splits his time between helping existing content partners be successful selling their content in the marketplace and recruiting new groundbreaking training providers to join the team.