Social learning involves learning from others through observation, imitation, and modeling. Creating a social learning environment in an organization can strengthen collaboration and increase informal training opportunities. Unisys successfully created a social learning culture by having executives use an internal social media tool to solve problems and increase participation. The benefits of social learning in organizations include improved relationships, productivity, and skills across the workforce through collaborative problem solving and knowledge sharing. However, challenges may include violations of social media policies or lack of buy-in from employees uncomfortable with technology. The strategy proposed blends eLearning, semi-formal in-person training, and demonstrations to create a social learning environment that respects different backgrounds and time constraints.

1. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
Signature Assignment: Digital Presentation
Erica Jones
AET/562
August 20, 2019
Professor K. Wyatt

2. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
Creating a Social Learning Environment within an Organization
Social Learning has been around for ages. Initially theorized by Albert Bandura, Social Learning
Theory postulates that learning occurs through observation. Social Learning Theory describes
human behavior as constant give-and-take collaboration between environmental, behavioral, and
cognitive influences (Learning Theories.com, 2019).
There are many ways that social learning affects an organization’s goals and objectives. Among
them are the fact that employees begin to build collaboration skills and team building is
strengthened. Additionally, on the job or informal training opportunities are increased allowing
for a broader set of knowledge and skills across the workforce.
A great example of an effective strategy that worked for a business in creating a social learning
environment within an organization using social media tools includes the business Unisys.
Unisys is a technology company that offers solutions and security for other businesses and
government agencies (Unisys, 2019). When wanting to incorporate social media tools into their
workplace, the company decided to identify their problems to be solved, next they identified the
key executives that would use the social media tools to solve the problem. Unisys CEO and other
top executives first used the companies created social media tool, Inside Unisys, in an effort to
create and build the culture around using the social media tool. Their buy-in increased the overall
participation and increased their sales force productivity (Meister, 2012).
https://youtu.be/fqr16GpKG9Q
Social Learning:
o As growth continues to take place in the market, organizations will need to provide ways
for employees to improve and learn new skills. Some of the effects includes an
organization ability to reduce cost, associated with training, and provide continuous
support through supporting a social learning initiative (Panopto, 2019). A social learning
environment can provide a democratic form of participation within the organization. It
can also foster healthier relationships among employees that encompass diverse skills.
Social media platforms allow employees to connect with others in different departments
and also with employees that may be located at other offices around the world. This
connection affords better collaboration with employees that may possess a certain skillset
that is required for a specific problem (Bodle, 2011).
o Much with any changes made to a profession or the way something is done, the role of a
trainer will be affected in that they too will have to increase their knowledge in how to
facilitate and provide training use social media tools. Training is a form of education and
in the Education industry what works is always being changed. Trainers will have to

3. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
work to understand that the days of heading to a location and lecturing are long gone and
that they should do their best to incorporate the Best Practices associated with Social
Learning.
o The use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are ways to measure the success or
effectiveness of a learning program using social media. Indicators could be such things
as number of participants, how often it is used, how many posts/contributions are made
by participants, user satisfaction surveys, improvements to work skills. (Chief Learning
Officer Magazine, 2014). A social media policy is necessary to decrease the feasibility of
unwanted publicity and a general avoidance of inappropriate use by participants.
Employees normally welcome informational posts about benefit package specifications,
sick-leave guidelines, and equal opportunity employment policies, the management
would also like to encourage the use of social media to collaborate between locations,
share best practices, highlight the good work of individuals, and as a platform to conduct
internal training. As a professional workplace that has the betterment of the employees as
the focus, the need for a policy on the use of social media is paramount.
Benefits and Improvements
o Interpersonal relationships and productivity might improve within an organization
because of an integrated approach using social learning in that it may help with problem
solving, culture and increase productivity. Business problems are increasingly
approached in a collaborative manner and social media integrates a tool employees are
frequently familiar with into the problem solving equation. Social learning is organic
meaning individuals may pursue a solution to a problem they view to be important.
Participants rarely choose the problem to solve under formal training.
Social learning is organic while formal training is structured and top down (Kadle, 2011).
A social learning environment can provide a democratic form of participation within the
organization. It can also foster healthier relationships among employees that encompass
diverse skills. Social media platforms allow employees to connect with others in
different departments across the organization.
o There are many benefits that social learning affects an organization’s goals and
objectives. Among them are the fact that employees begin to build collaboration skills
and team building is strengthened. Additionally, on the job or informal training
opportunities are increased allowing for a broader set of knowledge and skills across the
workforce. Some challenges may include those that violate the company’s social media
and social learning policy. Other problems may include the buy-in for using social
learning tools. Most organizations have a diverse age population and not everyone is
comfortable using technology to learn.
o The strategy I would use for creating a social learning environment within an
organization includes one that is a blended learning format or some technological use and
of in-person, semi-formal training. I believe this blend would consider all backgrounds
and respect the time constraints employees have. The ability to offer eLearning courses
gives employees the opportunity to save time from having to sit in a formal class to learn

4. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
how to do something. The semi-formal classes would be led by someone in each
department, in an effort to show what you know. I suspect everyone takes pride in the
work they are doing it and would not mind teaching others or demonstrating what that
work is. This also allows for the entire organization to see how this company runs and
reinforces we all have value in this organization.
Website:
https://facilitatedeudaimonia.wordpress.com/
https://facilitatedeudaimonia.wordpress.com/2019/08/25/benefits-and-improvements/

5. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
Reference:
Bodle, R. (2011). Social learning with social media: Expanding and extending the communication studies
classroom. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/1507369/_Social_Learning_with_Social_Media_Expanding_and_Exte
nding_the_Communication_Studies_Classroom_
Gutierrez, K. (2016, June 2). The Why's and How's of Social Learning in the Workplace.
Retrieved from https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/the-whys-and-hows-of-social-
learning-in-the-workplace
Kadle, A. (2011). Upside down learning . Retrieved from
https://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/tag/social-learning-vs-formal-learning/
Learning Theories.com (2019). Social learning theory. Retrieved from https://www.learning-
theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html
Meister, J. (2012, October 5). Implementing Social Learning. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/fqr16GpKG9Q
Staff, S. (2018, August 1). Social, informal learning can be measured.Retrieved from
https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2014/01/29/social-informal-learning-can-be-measured/

6. Signature Assignment:DigitalPresentation
Unknown . (2018, February 14). Study Picture. Retrieved from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/workplace-communication-importance-strategies-
examples.html
Unisys. (2019). A worldwide information technology company.
Retrieved from http://www.unisys.com/
Unknown. (2019, January 16). What Is Social Learning, and Why Is It Important for L&D?
Retrieved from https://www.panopto.com/blog/what-is-social-learning-and-why-is-it-so-
important-for-corporate-ld/