Social learning platforms have enhanced the way we learn, whether it’s for personal or professional development. By fostering interaction and collaboration among learners, they’ve addressed some of the limitations of traditional, isolated learning experiences – a crucial benefit as workplaces continue to evolve with the rise of remote and hybrid models.
According to CIPD, 28% of companies used social learning to deliver digital learning content and promote collaboration in 2021, up from 19% in 2020. However, in the same year, the highest percentage of respondents in the Key Blanchard Trends Report (19.38%) identified learner engagement as the top area of improvement for virtual training. This disconnect suggests that while social learning holds undeniable potential, merely adopting the tools and platforms is not enough to guarantee deeper engagement and truly transformative learning outcomes.
A healthcare case study on a digital L&D course illustrates this complexity. While social media features within online learning fostered a more positive learning environment, they didn’t significantly improve knowledge outcomes. Moreover, reluctance among the participants to engage with these technologies grew over time, indicating that personal and professional contexts may influence the sustainability of social learning engagement. So, apparently, a much deeper understanding of how to encourage sustained engagement is needed.
This is where cohort-based learning comes in. It takes the best parts of social learning and makes it even more powerful. Let’s uncover the difference!
What is a Social Learning Platform?
Social learning platforms are modern eLearning solutions that allow organizations to develop, deliver, and manage corporate training programs. Unlike traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS), they are specifically designed to enable learners to interact much like they do on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. This often includes things like creating a personal profile, sharing resources, participating in discussions, attending webinars, and collaborating on projects. The main aim is to connect people and provide a human context to their learning experience.
A social learning platform enables collaborative learning by connecting learners through discussions, resource sharing, and interactive activities.
Key Features of a Social Learning Platform
Social learning platforms can contain a wide range of features that tap into the power of active learning and community building. The most common ones are:
- Commenting and reactions
- Messaging tools
- Discussion boards and forums
- Content curation and sharing
- Live Q&A sessions
- Video conferencing integration
- Competitive gamification
- Interactive quizzes and polls
- Knowledge sharing capabilities
- Peer reviews and feedback
- Personalized learning paths
- Mobile accessibility
- Analytics and reporting
These features create a dynamic learning environment where learners are encouraged to take ownership of their development and contribute to a collective, organization-wide knowledge base through active participation and collaboration.
General Benefits of Social Learning
Social learning isn’t just a trend. It’s a response to how we naturally connect and learn, and it has numerous benefits. Here are the most important ones:
Social Meets Modern Learner Needs
Today’s learners are social creatures, with Gen Z spending 3 hours daily on social media and Millennials spending 2.25 hours. As they increasingly dominate the workforce, collaborative learning offers a familiar, engaging way to combat disconnection at work. Social learning features, which mirror the familiar and engaging formats of popular platforms, offer a natural solution. By incorporating bite-sized content, interactive elements like Q&A forums, and bite-sized microlearning modules, these platforms cater to modern learners’ short attention spans and desire for variety.
Better collaboration and communication
Using social channels enables employees to engage in digital conversations, which some team members may find more comfortable. It allows them to join discussions at any time if they have valuable input to share. According to the Institute for Corporate Productivity, the lack of reward in traditional learning solutions is the most common barrier to effective collaboration. Therefore, incentivizing teams that utilize social features for cooperation can have a significant impact.
Improved Learning Retention
Discussing and sharing ideas with others reinforces what you’ve learned. Ever tried explaining a concept to a friend? That’s active learning in action, solidifying understanding and combating the dreaded “forgetting curve.” The 70:20:10 model supports this: most of our learning comes from experiences and peer interactions, not just formal training. Social learning taps into this, transforming knowledge exchange into a vibrant, memorable experience where information truly sticks.
Substantial Organizational Knowledge Sharing
Gone are the days of siloed information – social platforms turn knowledge exchange into an interpersonal and, thereby, much more connecting experience for all. Employees become active contributors, not just passive learners, capturing and sharing valuable insights through user-generated content. This treasure trove of collective wisdom fuels innovation, boosts productivity, and ultimately drives organizational success.
These benefits are a powerful start, but what if there was a way to amplify the impact of social learning and knowledge sharing within a more structured and supportive environment? Surely, that would make social learning even more transformative.
Luckily, that’s not just a hypothetical. It’s precisely what cohort-based learning brings to the L&D table.
The Power of Cohort-Based Social Learning
Cohort-based learning takes the core principles of social learning and adds a layer of structure and shared experience. A team of learners embarks on a journey together, not just accessing content but actively participating and shaping the learning process. They progress through the program in sync, forming a tight-knit learning community that thrives on mutual support, accountability, and a sense of belonging.
But how does this translate into tangible learning outcomes? Let’s break it down:
Deeper Engagement
Being part of a cohort ignites a spark in learners. Suddenly, they’re part of something bigger – a community of peers, a support network, a shared vision. This sense of togetherness motivates them to stay on track, actively participate in discussions, and challenge each other’s ideas. The result is a more profound, meaningful learning experience that goes beyond passive consumption.
Shared Experiences
Cohorts foster a sense of psychological safety, where learners feel comfortable taking risks and being vulnerable. They share challenges, ask questions, and learn from each other’s experiences without fear of judgment. This openness leads to a deeper understanding of the course material and its real-world application as learners connect the dots between theory and practice, together.
Personalized Learning
Within a cohort, learning becomes simultaneously collective and personal. Instructors can tailor their guidance to individual needs, while group discussions uncover unique perspectives and insights. It’s like having a customized learning path within a supportive community where everyone benefits from the collective learning effort.
Actionable Outcomes
Forget passive learning – cohort-based social learning is all about action. The collaborative nature of learning in a group encourages employees to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Working towards shared objectives also builds accountability and a drive to put those newfound skills into practice. It’s learning that translates directly into results.
But how can your organization create and sustain these powerful cohort-based experiences? Intrepid makes it super easy.
Intrepid: A Platform Built for Cohort-Based Learning
Intrepid isn’t just another social learning platform. Intrepid is specifically designed to empower facilitators and learners to create powerful cohort-based learning experiences that cater to both the individual needs of the learner and the overarching development objectives of the company.
Here’s how we amplify the power of social learning in a cohort setting:
Collaborative Learning Tools
Facilitate engaging discussions, share valuable resources, and provide personalized feedback with a suite of interactive social learning tools. Intrepid is a virtual space where your team can connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate on real-world challenges.
- Discussion forums: Meaningful discussions are the foundation of social learning. Here, learners can engage with and learn from each other through lived experiences.
- Workspaces: If you’re looking for a dedicated space to share insights and apply new concepts to real challenges at work, then look no further. Workspaces promote practical application and problem-solving.
- Blended learning: Combine the flexibility of online learning with the power of virtual instructor-led training for high-value collaboration. Plus, easily keep track of synchronous learning events within the cohort learning experience.
- Social connections: Learners can create social profiles, engage with fellow learners, see the activities and contributions of others, and interact with liking, sharing, and tagging features.
- Live chat: Encourage instant communication among employees, allowing for real-time learner interaction and peer support.
- Community: Foster ongoing collaboration and engagement with dedicated spaces for learners to connect, exchange ideas, and apply learning in real-world contexts.
Practice and Application
Learners apply new concepts to practice freshly acquired skills on the job, reflect on what they’ve learned, and share their experiences with other cohort members.
- Missions and Projects: Assign real-world challenges that help learners build and apply new skills effectively.
- Peer Reviews: If you’re looking for a way to foster a culture of continuous improvement, peer reviews are a great option. Learners can provide and receive constructive feedback, accelerating their growth.
- AI-Powered Video Assignments: Intrepid also allows you to use advanced technology to assess and enhance learning outcomes through video projects.
Group Management Features
Interpid’s cohort learning platform offers robust solutions for group management:
- Cohort Organization: Effortlessly manage and organize learners into cohorts to provide a structured and collaborative learning environment that maximizes engagement and knowledge sharing.
- Progress Tracking: With Intrepid’s progress tracking and detailed analytics, you can easily monitor learner progress and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
- Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging and support within cohorts through interactive tools and shared goals.
Personalized Learning Paths
Tailor learning experiences for individual needs within the cohort setting.
- Customized Learning Journeys: No two learners are the same. Create personalized paths that address each learner’s unique needs and goals so that everyone gets the most out of the program.
- Targeted Guidance: Provide specific feedback and support based on individual learner progress and performance.
Engaging Gamification Elements
eLearning gamification breathes life into learning by blending fun with educational goals. Intrepid creates an environment where healthy competition and rewards drive learners to succeed.
- Badges and Points: Fuel learner engagement and motivation by awarding badges and points for completing tasks, participating in discussions, and achieving milestones.
- Leaderboards: Intrepid’s social learning platform allows you to showcase top performers and encourage others to excel through peer comparison.
- Team Challenges: Collaboration and competition can go hand in hand. Promote teamwork through engaging group activities and challenges that promote personal growth and team spirit.
Case Studies
There’s no doubt that social learning programs have a high ROI. The numbers speak for themselves:
No wonder high-performing organizations use social learning far more than low-performing ones. A joint survey by Intrepid and Training Industry found they are 5.5 times more likely to increase its use and 4.9 times more likely to see positive business outcomes, such as better efficiency, improved skill development, higher engagement, and meeting business objectives.
Check out these three real-world case studies to see how Intrepid’s social learning capabilities have benefited organizations across industries and markets.
Transforming Manager Development at Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton, a global professional services firm, reimagined its Manager Development Program (MDP) by integrating Intrepid’s cohort-based learning platform, which emphasized collaboration and peer engagement. The program leveraged structured, interactive elements like in-platform discussions, role-playing exercises, and peer feedback to create continuous feedback loops in a highly social learning experience.
These collaborative activities, combined with career-aligned learning journeys and digital badging to track progress, resulted in a 90% attendance rate, an 83% completion rate, and an NPS score of 53—surpassing expectations and demonstrating the power of social and applied learning for leadership development.
Becton Dickinson’s Leadership Development Journey
Becton Dickinson, a global medical technology company, faced the challenge of developing leaders across different regions and functions. They partnered with Intrepid to create a customized leadership development program that fostered collaboration, communication, and innovation. The program’s success was evident in the improved leadership capabilities of participants, alongside a noticeable boost in engagement and knowledge exchange throughout the organization.
Upskilling at Scale: CoreLogic’s Collaborative Learning Success
CoreLogic tackled the challenge of upskilling 3,500 global IT professionals with a collaborative cohort-based platform. By leveraging gamification, project-based learning, and peer collaboration, the program boosted engagement by 80%, reduced dropout rates by 62%, and scaled cohorts from 16 to 150+ learners. This approach not only met immediate upskilling needs but also set the stage for future innovation.
Summary
Social learning platforms offer undeniable value, but cohort-based learning unlocks a deeper level of user engagement and transformation. With Intrepid, you can create powerful cohort-based programs that drive real results for your learners and your organization.
Join us in the social learning revolution by booking a demo today, and see for yourself that true community engagement is cohort-driven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Learning Platforms
What is a social learning platform?
A social learning platform enables collaborative learning by connecting learners through discussions, resource sharing, and interactive activities.
What are examples of social learning?
Examples of social learning in a corporate context include:
- Peer knowledge sharing through discussion boards or chat platforms.
- Collaborative projects and group problem-solving activities.
- Mentorship programs for guidance and feedback.
- Employee-generated training content, such as videos or tutorials.
- Social learning communities for discussions and resource sharing.
- Interactive training events with gamification and recognition.
What are key features of a social learning platform?
Common features of a social learning platform include:
- Commenting and reactions
- Messaging tools
- Discussion forums
- Content curation and sharing
- Live Q&A sessions
- Video conferencing integration
- Gamification features
- Interactive quizzes and polls
- Knowledge sharing tools
- Peer reviews and feedback
- Personalized learning paths
- Mobile-friendly design
- Analytics and reporting
What are benefits of social learning?
Benefits of a social learning platform in the workplace include:
- Engages Modern Learners: Mirrors familiar social media formats to cater to Gen Z and Millennials, offering bite-sized content and interactive elements that align with their preferences.
- Boosts Collaboration and Communication: Encourages digital conversations, allowing employees to share input comfortably and at their own pace.
- Improves Learning Retention: Promotes active learning through discussions and peer interactions, helping reinforce knowledge and combat the forgetting curve.
- Facilitates Knowledge Sharing: Breaks down information silos, enabling employees to contribute and share insights, fueling innovation and productivity.
- Increases Engagement: Incorporates rewards and incentives, motivating teams to collaborate effectively and participate actively.
- Drives Organizational Success: Turns collective wisdom into actionable insights that enhance learning outcomes and overall business performance.
