SELF-GUIDED SOCIAL MEDIA

TRAINING MANUALBy Kelly Proffer and Richard PattersonDr. Sean SpearAET/562August 29, 2015

OVERVIEWAccording 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.

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

SOCIAL LEARNING

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

ISSUES WITH SOCIAL LEARNING IN THE WORKPLACE

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

PROBLEM SOLVING THROUGH SOCIAL LEARNINGRole 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

SILENCING THE CRITICS – ADDRESSING BUSINESS NEEDS THROUGH SOCIAL LEARNINGSocial 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

EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTABILITY AND USAGE POLICY 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

FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPSWe 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

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLSWikis 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

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS CONT.

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 JabberCisco Jabber is a software tool that works with Cisco phones to provide voice and video calling as well as instant messagingAdvantages• Soft phone ability to make calls from PC or

tablet• Instant message anyone in company • Accessible via laptop, tablet, or smart

phone

AS TEAMC, INC. CONTINUES TO EXPAND GLOBALLY IT IS EXCITED TO IMPLEMENT SOCIAL LEARNING AS A VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOOL. LEADERS AND TRAINERS ALIKE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANT ROLE SOCIAL LEARNING WILL PLAY IN CREATING AN CULTURE OF SHARING THAT WILL GROW EMPLOYEES AND AS A RESULT THE ORGANIZATION. SOCIAL LEARNING HELPS SOLVES VARIOUS BUSINESS NEEDS AND ISSUES AS WELL AS FOSTERS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL EMPLOYEES AND BLURS THE TRADITIONAL HIERARCHY MODEL OF INFORMATION SHARING. WE HOPE EMPLOYEES ARE AS EXCITED AS WE ARE TO GET INVOLVED, CONTRIBUTE, COLLABORATE, AND LEARN WITH THE REST OF US. Conclusion

References and Recommended ReadingBartlett-Bragg, A. (2009). Reframing practice: Creating social learning networks. Development and Learning in Organizations, 23(4), 16-20. http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/10.1108/14777280910970747Bingham, T. (2010). The new social learning: A guide to transforming organizations (1st ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection databaseBingham, T., & Conner, M. (2015). The new social learning: Connect. Collaborate. Work. (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ATD Press.Biro, M. M. (2012). 5 ways social learning communities transform culture and leadership. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghanbiro/2012/11/25/5-ways-social-learning-communities-transform-culture-and-leadership/Borstnar, M. (2012). Towards understanding collaborative learning in the social media environment. Organizacija, 45(3), 100-107. http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10051-012-0010-8Bozarth, J. (2010). Social media for trainers: Techniques for enhancing and extending learning (1st ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection databaseChatzicharalampous, K. (2014). The role of social media in higher education, the use of social media as a communicative agent and their subsequent effects to the learning process of students. International Journal of Knowledge Society Research (IJKSR), 5(2), 58-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijksr.2014040106Ford, W. (2013). YouTube for Business: Top Ten Strategies & Best Practice. Retrieved from https://blog.udemy.com/youtube-for-business/Half, R. (2015). 6 ways professional development training benefits your entire organization. Retrieved from http://www.roberthalf.com/blog/6-ways-professional- development-training-benefits-your-entire-organizationHill, A. (2015). What is collaboration in the workplace? . Retrieved from http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-collaboration-in-the-workplace-definition- benefits-examples.htmlLaComb, B. (2013). Best Practices for Purposeful Social Learning. Retrieved from http://www.riversoftware.com/helpful-resources/blog/item/297-best-practices- for-purposeful-social-learningMerrick, L. (n.d.). How coaching & mentoring can drive success in your organization. Retrieved from https://hru.gov/documents/MentoringStudio/How%20Coaching%20%20Mentoring%20Can%20Drive%20Success%20in%20Your%20Organization.pdfMoskaliuk, J., & Kimmerle, J. (2009). Using wikis for organizational learning: functional and psycho-social principles. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, 23(4), 21-24. http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14777280910970756Pappas, C. (2013). 28 eLearning tips for social learning. Retrieved from http://elearningindustry.com/28-elearning-tips-for-social-learningPrivat, G. (2014). The Adobe Connect Blog. Retrieved from http://blogs.adobe.com/adobeconnect/2014/05/make-learning-a-social-and-mobile-experience-i ntroducing-adobe-experience-manager-communities-for-learning.html SHRM. (2012). Managing and leveraging workplace use of social media. Retrieved from http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/toolkits/pages/managingsocialmedia.aspxThe Difference between Formal and Informal Learning. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.growthengineering.co.uk/the-difference-between-formal-and- informal-learning/Wentworth, D. (2014). 5 Trends for the Future of Learning and Development. Retrieved from http://www.trainingmag.com/5-trends-future-learning-and- developmentYupangco, J., & Levy, S. (2008). Overcoming the Challenges of Social Learning in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/85/overcoming-the-challenges-of-social-learning-in-the-workplace