The document discusses how TeamC, Inc. implemented a social learning platform to address the challenges of training a global workforce located in different geographic locations. The goal was to allow employees to continue learning from each other and increase job satisfaction. Social learning through social media allows interactive learning and knowledge sharing between employees regardless of location. It can complement formal classroom training by providing an additional way for employees to access training materials and sessions.

1. By Kelly Proffer and Richard Patterson
Dr. Sean Spear
AET/562
August 29, 2015

2. According to author Tony Bingham, the new social learning is a “Powerful approach to
sharing and discovering a whole array of options…leading to more informed decision
making and a more intimate, expansive, and dynamic understanding of the culture and
context in which we work”(Bingham, 2010, p. 6). In today’s work environment employees
tend to learn more from each other than they do in a traditional classroom setting. However,
many times employees are located at different geological locations and face-to-face
communication is not always possible. Social media allows for interactive social learning to
take place between employees no matter where they are located throughout the world.
Over the last 10 years, TeamC, Inc. has become a global organization with employees not
only across the country, but across the world. This has created a logistical and
demographic challenge for the training and development department to offer professional
development opportunities to all employees. Together with senior administration T&D
decided to launch a new social learning platform. The goal is to allow employees to benefit
from the vast knowledge and experience of the workforce to continue to grow in their
positions and to increase job satisfaction.

3. • Social Learning
• Issues with Social Learning in the Workplace
• Problem Solving Through Social Learning
• Addressing Business Issues and Strengthening Relationships
• Social Media Tools

4.  Social media and social learning
are part of everyday life
 Allows for free sharing of
information between employees
 Builds community in organization
through cooperation
 Keeps organization in touch with
customers and their needs
Importance of Social Learning Role of Social Learning in Training
Social learning is a “Powerful approach to sharing and discovering a whole array of
options…leading to more informed decision making and a more intimate, expansive, and dynamic
understanding of the culture and context in which we work”(Bingham, 2010, p. 6).
 Social learning is a complement to
traditional classroom training
 Employees able to access training
sessions and materials outside of
classroom – saves time and money
 Employees able to share
information empowering all
employees with knowledge needed

5.  Individual Perceptions of Social
Learning
 Fears about lack of confidentiality of
company privacy and information
 Lack of productivity by employees
who are spending too much time in
social media
Barriers to Effective Social Learning Ethical Dilemmas in Social Learning
 Spending company time and
resources on social media or other
not related work material
 Sharing sensitive and private
company information outside of an
organization whether intentional or
not intentional

6. Role of Social Learning in Addressing Business Problems
 Allows for the sharing of information between employees regardless of department or location
 Solutions to problems can be shared easily and instantly
 Employees able to collaborate to discuss different ideas and solutions in regards to business problem
Affect of Social Learning on Employee’s Perception
 Sharing of information builds community and togetherness among employees
 Employees able to interact because of social learning and gain new insights about other departments
and people
Problem Solving Processes of Social Learning vs. Formal Training
 Formal training requires set time and place / Social learning happens regardless of time and place
 Formal training lays foundation of knowledge in organization / Social learning continues building
knowledge on day to day basis
 Formal training and social learning rely on each other to build and sustain knowledge of employees

7. Social Learning Contributes to the
bottom Line
 Increase the collective knowledge of
your team
 Make employees feel satisfied
 Enhance your company’s reputation
 Attract more qualified candidates
 Bolster your retention strategy
 Make succession planning easier
 traditional hierarchies more blurred
creating a culture of sharing
Social Learning Can be Measured
 Initiative – How many people logged in
 Persistence – How many people came
back, presumably because they found
value
 Connection – how the network
expanded
 Technology transition – fewer
documents sent across email

8.  Exercise good judgment and common sense.
 Pause before posting.
 Not allow social networking to interrupt productivity.
 Be mindful of their privacy settings.
 Refrain from anonymity.
 Be polite and responsible.
 Be accountable and correct mistakes.
 Use disclaimers or speak in the first person to make it clear the opinions expressed are not those of
their employer.
 Bring work-related complaints to HR, not through postings on social media sites or the Internet.
 Remember the audience and that what is being said might create a perception about the employer

9. We are naturally driven to share,
communicate, and to learn from each
other. Social Learning is bringing
people together to share, collaborate,
build knowledge, network, and create
social learning networks.
Retrieved on 8/29/2015 from http://www.bluekiwi-software.com

10. Wikis
 A Wiki is an interactive web page on
which everyone with access can change
the content
 Wikis are easy to use online spaces for
collaboration, sharing knowledge and
building databases or libraries.
 Wikis are great for collaborative work
and is an awesome tool to use
especially if employees are not in the
same location.
 A wiki can be a one stop shop of
information for employees needing
information to do their jobs better.
Facebook
 Facebook is a single - login site that aggregates
many forms of social media, such as messages,
photos, videos, events, discussions, and links.
 Facebook is a one-stop-shop that would allow
employees to interact with each other.
 Facebook is good for staying in frequent contact
and helps the instructor, training department, or
organization build a sense of community
 Facebook is a great place to create learning
communities after a formal training is over.
Learners can engage and share with other training
graduates or employees.
 Facebook is also a great place to encourage
discussion or post important updates.
Retrieved on 8/229/2015 from turkeltalk.com

11. What is YouTube
YouTube is a website that contains thousands
of videos covering a wide array of topics and
interests.
Benefits of using YouTube in the workplace
 Record classroom trainings and meetings
 Employees can access recordings 24/7
 Accessible via laptop, tablet, or smart
phone
What is Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a software tool that works with Cisco
phones to provide voice and video calling as well as
instant messaging
Advantages
• Soft phone ability to make calls from PC or tablet
• Instant message anyone in company
• Accessible via laptop, tablet, or smart phone

12. Conclusion

13. References and Recommended Reading
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Bingham, T. (2010). The new social learning: A guide to transforming organizations (1st ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database
Bingham, T., & Conner, M. (2015). The new social learning: Connect. Collaborate. Work. (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ATD Press.
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