Harnessing Social Learning for Effective Training

Written by Kristen Stevenson, ABD

Social learning is a powerful tool that helps people acquire new skills, knowledge, and behaviors by observing and interacting with others. It starts when we are very young. Many first-time parents inadvertently encounter social learning. For example, a young child might refer to a parent by their first name because they often hear others doing so instead of using “Mommy” or “Daddy.” Children may also mimic hand gestures they observe in adults while driving or repeat age-inappropriate words in public. Adults also experience social learning; they might adopt a phrase commonly used by friends or learn a new technique for art, exercise, or cooking from a video.

Psychologist Albert Bandura first studied social learning in the 1950s by observing how young children reacted to adult interactions with a Bobo doll. Social learning is a behavioral theory that suggests individuals learn new behaviors through observation and imitation. For instance, when adults laugh and encourage a toddler to repeat a foul word or make an obscene gesture, it reinforces that behavior, while correction can stop it. This creates a feedback loop where behaviors are either rewarded or punished accordingly.

Social Learning in Action

Social learning occurs continuously. In traditional educational settings, it often takes the form of group work, whether in a classroom or during a training session. Group work is an evidence-based practice that benefits nearly every subject, allowing learners to leverage their expertise. However, it’s common to hear complaints about group work from learners of all ages, ranging from seven to fifty-seven. It is important to recognize that informal social learning constitutes nearly 75% of learning within organizations, which is quite significant. We have outlined areas where you can effectively integrate social learning into your training programs.

1. Employee Training and Mentoring

New employees joining your organization already possess the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for their roles. They may be certified forklift drivers, engineers, or professionals with 15 years of experience in hospitality. While they know what to do and how to do it, they need to learn your internal systems. For example, how do they log their time on a timesheet or within a project management tool? How do they request time off? Where are the process and procedure manuals stored, and who should they contact for assistance?

In addition to onboarding, ongoing formal training is essential to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Specific training may be required for tasks such as safely operating machinery, using software systems, or adapting to updated sales scripts. Moreover, nuanced training is valuable as it introduces employees to company culture, familiarizes them with organization-specific terminology, and sets expectations for virtual meetings. These training sessions allow employees to observe and practice correct methods in a controlled environment. Effective employee training should incorporate social learning through demonstration videos, job aids that outline step-by-step procedures, and opportunities for real-time practice with a co-worker present.

Ways to Integrate Social Learning:

Pair new employees with experienced mentors to encourage hands-on learning.
Use collaboration tools like Teams or Slack to share insights, demonstrate tasks, and explain terminology in real time.
Create visual aids and video demonstrations in accessible formats, allowing new employees to revisit methods and standards.

2. Industry/Sector-Specific Language and Jargon

Understanding industry-specific language is crucial for companies operating in diverse regions and industries. Social learning can include learning a foreign language or mastering sector-specific jargon. Employees learn best when they encounter these terms in context and practice them regularly. Many industries and organizations require some or all employees to learn another language, especially in fields like hospitality, information technology, human resources, international sales, healthcare, and customer service (ICLS, 2024).

In addition to conversational skills, employees often need to grasp industry-specific jargon. For example, the military frequently uses acronyms for quick communication, while information technology professionals usually refer to certifications by their abbreviations. Learning new languages can range from intensive immersion programs, where only the new language is spoken, to engaging mobile applications like Duolingo for practice. Acquiring language and jargon involves associating new vocabulary with familiar concepts and practicing pronunciation until fluency is achieved through Social Learning.

Ways to Integrate Social Learning:

Organize sessions for employees to practice new languages or terminology, led by native speakers or experienced staff.
Utilize role-play to integrate jargon and acronyms in realistic scenarios, assisting employees in connecting terminology with actual circumstances.
Create dedicated channels to share and discuss industry terminology, fostering ongoing casual learning.

3. Enhance Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential in any professional setting. Social learning in communication involves understanding tone, etiquette, and appropriate language usage. By observing positive communication practices within the team, we can reinforce respectful, transparent, and productive interactions. Articulating thoughts effectively can be challenging—pausing before sending a rebuttal email or choosing not to criticize someone publicly. Social learning is an excellent way to demonstrate proper communication skills and address any gaps identified in your organization.

Consider using templates that reflect the desired tone and wording to enhance email communications. Additionally, organizing role-play activities in a supportive environment can help practice respectful interactions. Social learning also provides a valuable opportunity to emphasize the significance of taking responsibility for our mistakes and sincerely apologizing when necessary.

Ways to Integrate Social Learning:

Create templates for frequently used emails and messages to standardize the tone and maintain professionalism.
Organize mock scenarios for employees to practice responding to various situations, such as customer complaints and team disagreements, to enhance constructive communication.
Encourage employees to observe and discuss successful and problematic communication examples, focusing on learning from real interactions.

Summary

The exciting aspect of social learning is that it is so easy to implement. Olcelli (2021) succinctly states, “As long as it’s collective and shared, it’s social learning.” Your organization can embrace social learning by sharing best practices in a Teams or Slack channel, developing a mentor program, or conducting training that includes skill demonstrations. Capture your training long-term by developing microlearning (small, easy-to-digest lessons) or full courses that detail a variety of proficiencies.

Are you ready to implement social learning in your workplace? Contact eLearningDOC to explore how we can help you design social learning strategies tailored to your organization.

References

Cornell, D. (2024, May 31). 15 social learning theory examples. Helpful Professor. https://helpfulprofessor.com/social-learning-theory-examples/

International Center for Language Studies. (ICLS). (2024, February 20). Interesting modern jobs that need foreign languages proficiency. ICIS. https://www.icls.edu/blog/interesting-modern-jobs-that-require-second-language-proficiency

Matsuo, E. V. (2017). Working with parental mental health problems in complex parent-infant relationships: A study on the power implications of approaches used in infant services in Western Sweden. https://core.ac.uk/download/542332634.pdf

Meij, S. (n. d.). Social learning theory: What is it & how does it work? Go Skills. https://www.goskills.com/Resources/Social-learning-theory

Olcilli, L. (2021, April 6). 6 ways to encourage social learning in the remote workplace. Training Industry. https://trainingindustry.com/articles/remote-learning/6-ways-to-encourage-social-learning-in-the-remote-workplace/

TeachThought Staff. (2022, March 2). What is social learning? Teach Thought. https://www.teachthought.com/learning/what-is-social-learning-definition/

Unlocking Your Professional Potential: Why Career Coaching is a Must-Have Investment. https://www.cps-it.com.au/post/unlocking-your-professional-potential-why-career-coaching-is-a-must-have-investment

Wilson, K. J., Brickman, P., & Brame, C. J. (2018). Group work. CBE Life Science Education, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.17-12-0258