Digital Presentation Created by: Chris De Santiago June 8, 2015 Social Media for Professional Learning: AET/562

We will discuss the importance of creating a social learning environment within an organization. Provide examples of and demonstrate effective social media tools. Introduction

The effects of social learning if conducted properly are having shared knowledge of various topics. It will help individuals not only gain new knowledge, but also elaborate on old knowledge. Social learning within an organization can be beneficial in training employees by using social media to transmit information to the individual or group. Using technology in an organization can change the culture from formal classroom training to informal classroom training. Social learning creates a stimulus and response training environment that challenges learners to engage one another. This type of information transfer is not always available in a formal classroom setting. What is the effect of social learning within an organization? How might a social learning component train employees and change the culture within an organization?

Social learning will change the role of the traditional trainer. The trainer will be not only responsible for formal training, but informal training as well. Social learning is beneficial and effective if conducted properly. The trainers’ new role will be to facilitate the class and ensure learners are not deviating from the topic or topics. The trainer cannot expect the group to manage themselves without appropriate guidance (Hutchinson, 2007). The trainer will also be responsible for clarifying information and offer guidance on how to conduct themselves during this training or social media etiquette. How might social learning affect the role of the trainer within an organization?

An organization that will be using social media to assist in social learning must set guidelines on etiquette. Advice the learners to conduct themselves as if they were at work. Some learners might get too relaxed and not filter the content on a social media site. During a social media course with discussion, the organization should have a representative to monitor the discussion and address any issues the employees might fail to realize is inappropriate. As monitors, one must try to address any issues through private messages. The reason for this is to not discourage the employee to use the site. A reprimand that can be seen by everyone on the social media site can cause the individual to stop participating in the discussion. How should employee accountability and online reputations be addressed? What ground rules should be in place before launching a social learning platform?

Interpersonal relationships can improve because of the open lines of communication. The employees can interact with coworkers via the computer instead of in person. This will open up line of communication and develop organizational cohesiveness. This approach will also increase professional development. An employee will have the option to ask other coworkers for opinions with professional development issues. Obstacles can be overcome easily with the right guidance. How might interpersonal relationships and productivity improve within an organization because of an integrated approach to training and professional development?

Some benefits that can be created in the social learning environment within an organization are comradery, etiquette, and networking. If the organization is collaboration with information, the driving force is to learn information to help one another out. If the information is correct, it will build a trust among the employees. This learning environment will bring together a number of people. It will require everyone in the learning environment to develop etiquette to adhere to. The employees will be aware of the supervision and will comply with the guidelines. This will create better etiquette throughout the organization. Networking is a fundamental in any organization. By integrating social learning in within the organization one can learn strengths and weaknesses of individuals or departments. This is beneficial for any individual to know. It can be the difference in solving a problem in two minutes or two days. Some challenges that might occur will be personality conflicts, hierarchy within the organization, or time management. What are some benefits of creating a social learning environment within an organization? What are some challenges?

The strategies in creating a social learning environment will improve the training and development of the employees. This is done by allowing everyone to share their experiences and knowledge in various subjects. Students who experience teaching that fosters control by the learner not only learn better, but that they enjoy learning more (Ramsden, 2003). Using social media in training will also get subject matter experts comments and clarify any concerns the employees will have. Social media and social learning can also be used anytime. It can be used during a specific time or can be rescheduled to accommodate other individual’s needs. Social media supports social learning by helping people connect with one another, rather than depending on organizational top – down communication (Bozarth, 2010). How will your strategy for creating a social learning environment as part of the overall training and development offerings improve knowledge and relationships within the organization?

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QUESTIONS? Digital Presentation

-Bozarth, J. (2010). Social Media for Trainers: Techniques for Enhancing and Extending Learning. San Francisco: Pfeiffer. -Ramsden P. (2003), Learning to Teach in Higher Education, 2nd Ed. RoutledgeFaimer, London and New York -Hutchinson, D. (2007). Teaching Practices for Effective Cooperative Learning in an Online Learning Environment (OLE). Journal of information Systems Education, REFERENCES