Why Social Learning Matters in Learning and Development

As adults, we leave the classroom behind for bigger and better things, starting our lives in our corporate careers. Your days of formal education may be over, but that doesn't mean you still don't have a lot to learn! In fact, we should never stop our quest for learning, as it keeps us sharp and challenges our outlooks. The only thing that should change is how we learn, because the adult brain needs a different approach. That's where social learning comes in. Let's take a closer look at this powerful concept and explore why it's such an effective way to educate adults.

What exactly is social learning?

Have you ever wondered why so many successful organisations put a lot of time and resources into learning and development programs? It's because they know that the best way to educate is to show, not tell. That's the concept behind social learning. Also called peer-to-peer learning, social learning is the belief that adults learn better through shared interactions with each other. It focuses on the ability of individuals to pick up new skills, knowledge, and behaviours by observing and then interacting with others socially, not just through formal instruction or study. And the concept makes sense. Think about how often you look to others to help you better understand something in your workplace. You ask questions, you observe, and you interact. You take their lived experiences, learn lessons from the insights they offer, and build on them. It's so brilliant and also so simple and effective!

Social learning thrives on collaboration. By sharing ideas, observing others, and working side by side, people build skills and confidence that last. Image source.

Why does social learning matter?

Imagine how stagnant your workplace would be if everyone just kept to themselves and never interacted with each other. There was no one bouncing ideas off of others or brainstorming solutions to problems. There'd be no energy, no excitement, no growth. Now, think about an organisation that prioritises social learning and has its employees work together to problem solve and use their expertise to challenge the status quo. Which one do you think will succeed? It's a no-brainer that the ones promoting open thought and ideas will be more successful. Social learning makes learning engaging, effective and sustainable. It offers a ton of benefits like improved retention, rapid application of new knowledge, and increased connection and morale in the workplace. And the results are clear - peer influence, feedback, and recognition amplify learning motivation and reinforce positive behaviours. That's the power of social learning.

How to utilise social learning in the workplace

In the workplace, social learning is sometimes used in corporate training programs, but the concept can also be leveraged beyond the training room. So, what does that look like in practice?

• Running live demos and role-plays so employees can watch, practise, and grow together.

• Setting group projects and problem-solving tasks that focus on teamwork and knowledge sharing.

• Using tech tools - like recorded talks, video tutorials, forums, chat groups, and webinars to showcase expert behaviours in action.

• Creating scenarios and simulations where learners can practise safely and get real-time feedback.

• Forming peer learning groups to promote open discussion, reflection, and shared insights.

• Offering mentoring and shadowing opportunities so learners can observe experienced colleagues in action and learn from their feedback.

• Building communities of practice around shared challenges, interests, or expertise.

• Making learning fun with gamified challenges, crowdsourced solutions, and cross-team collaboration.

Think outside the box and use techniques that create active, connected learning environments that mirror real-world work. The key is structuring your social learning activities, so they align with your business goals, are easy to access for all employees, and provide clear objectives.

Social learning turns everyday conversations into growth. By sharing experiences and insights, teams build stronger skills and lasting connections. Image source.

It’s fun when you get to work together

There's so many ways to use social learning to make your workplace vibrant, exciting, and successful. Encouraging employees to learn through social interaction ensures they share their knowledge and expertise, strengthening your organisation from within. Plus, it's so much more fun when you get to work together, strengthening bonds and building relationships. No wonder all the top organisations know the value of social learning and use this approach to keep their employees happy, engaged, and motivated.

If you wanting to design and deliver social learning in your workplace, feel free to reach out to us at The Learning Zone, we’d love to help.