how to make social learning work

Sprout Lab works with organisations to design learning ecosystems that accelerate expertise

What we do

• different types of social learning and when to use them

• approaches to community building

• success factors for social learning

• what a community manager does and why they are key

We will discuss …

Humans are social All learning is social

Why doesn’t social learning work? Your thoughts …

Virtual water coolerDiscussions

Structured + Specific

User groupsProject based

Hardest way to startRe-works the way you do business

Two important S words to go along with social learning

SparksBarn raising Events - online jamRole plays – interactive story telling

Good stepping stoneReworks how people learn

Types of social learningTools Some ideas about when to use

Threaded discussions Debatable topicsWhere the learner might need to reflect

Commenting Reactions to content

Virtual classrooms Complex topics that need discussion and in-depth exploration

Updates – text and images SharingQuestions and answers“Working out loud”

Collaborative editing – text and media

Building, sharing and review

Group chat Sharing and simple discussions

Working out loud starts with making your work visible in such a

way that it might help others. When you do that – when you

work in a more open, connected way – you can build a

purposeful network that makes you more effective and provides

access to more opportunities (Stepper, 2014).

Working out loud circles

The hierarchy of presence

F2F

Virtual classroom - voice

Discussions - text

We want to build a blended program in agile project management.

What are some ways Rebecca could use social learning?Your thoughts …

“Our system doesn’t need a community manager”

A vendor

Your community manager is key

Is this more role more management or leadership

Management Leadership

Stages of a community

Based on Gilly Salmon’s 5 – stage model

Development

Access and motivation

Information exchange

Knowledge construction

Online socialisation

Building a community

IcebreakersWhat is your favorite …. Plant role models

Access and motivation

Online socialisation

Our social learning system is a ghost town.

What are your suggestions for Rebecca?Your thoughts …

A blueprint for a content free course

Email

On your platform

Spark Weekly summary- Include a

statement from each person

Facilitator asks questions

Message about the spark

Mid week “… is happening online”

Message about the spark summary

Success factors

Senior management involvement

Think beyond sharing and discussions – what can people build

What would you do face to face? Do that online

Social learning doesn’t scale

Social learning doesn’t scale

Needs smaller groups – around 15 to 20 people

Give activities a time frame – e.g. a week

Two themesStructured & Specific

When: Wednesday 26 October 2016 Time: 12.30pm – 1.00pm AEDT (Melb/Syd time)