Enhancing Learning and Building Communities: The Power of Social Learning in Our Digital Portal
- Lucy Taskin
- 3:16 pm
- One Comment
Who says engagement drops in virtual learning environments? We hear a lot of HR and learning professionals bemoaning the difficulty of keeping learners focussed and engaged with online interventions. Participants with cameras off, distracted by interruptions, or clearly working through their email backlog. Our experience has been very different, and we continue to find that well planned and skilfully facilitated virtual spaces actually enable higher attendance, engagement and impact than comparable environments.
Introduction:
Welcome to our digital learning portal, where knowledge meets community, and learning goes beyond boundaries. Our platform is more than just a repository of resources; it’s a thriving social space that brings learners together, encouraging open dialogue, and fostering connections among peers. In this blog, we’ll explore the heart of our platform—the social learning aspect—and how it has revolutionised the way our learners engage, grow, and succeed.
Table of Contents
Social Learning Unleashed
At the core of our digital learning portal lies a dynamic social learning aspect that transforms traditional education into a lively, interactive experience. The “Feed” feature serves as a digital town square, akin to popular social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook, where learners can post, share, comment, and interact freely. This engaging environment enables learners to learn not just from us, the facilitators, but also from one another, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas.
Thought-provoking activities and team assignments further enrich the social learning experience. Between live facilitated sessions, learners actively participate in discussions, stimulating their critical thinking, and promoting a deeper understanding of the subject matter. By seamlessly integrating virtual and face-to-face interactions, we create a dynamic learning environment that adapts to modern learners’ needs.
The Benefits of Engaging Socially
Social learning goes beyond the conventional approach, significantly enhancing information retention. Studies show that learners retain up to 90% of information when they teach others or discuss it in a social context. By learning together, our learners gain valuable insights through shared experiences, enriching their understanding of complex topics.
Moreover, active engagement on the platform has led to incredible career advancements for many learners. Employers appreciate the investment learners make in their own development, evident through their interactions on the portal. As a result, learners have seen new opportunities and promotions come their way.
Building a Thriving Community
Our digital learning portal actively promotes community-building and nurtures a sense of belonging among learners. Cohorts consist of leaders from diverse departments, all at similar levels but with distinct lived experiences. As they interact on the platform, they discover commonalities, including hobbies, pets, families, as well as the obvious professional experiences.
By transcending organisational boundaries, learners network and build lasting connections with other leaders from various departments. These connections become valuable resources, fostering collaboration and support well beyond the learning programme.
Our portal has witnessed remarkable success stories, illustrating the positive impact of social learning on learners’ educational journeys. For instance, one of our clients, FM Conway, experienced a breaking down of silos within their organisation, thanks to the portal’s social encouragement. Through interactions on the “Feed,” leaders realised that they were not alone in facing challenges, fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.
Uniqueness in Social Learning
What sets our digital learning portal apart from traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS) is it’s focus on enrichment and meaningful interactions. Unlike LMS, which often feel like completing “tick-box” tasks or tests, our portal encourages genuine dialogue and networking. We believe that true learning is a journey of self-discovery and growth, where learners are inspired to contribute and explore.
Learner Feedback and Inclusivity
Feedback from learners highlights the enjoyment and engagement they experience on the portal. The multimedia resources and insightful quizzes add to the fun, making learning a rewarding adventure.
Moreover, our platform is designed to be inclusive, catering to diverse learning styles and neurodiversity. The portal empowers learners of all backgrounds to access materials that might have been otherwise inaccessible. Introverts find a safe space to express themselves through the “Feed,” while extroverts continue to thrive in live sessions.
The hybrid approach has proven to be particularly beneficial for women and ethnic minorities who may face additional challenges related to workplace flexibility and representation. By accommodating self-paced learning, the portal enables learners to adapt their learning journey to their individual needs and circumstances, leading to improved focus and better outcomes.
Through the portal’s emphasis on inclusivity and equity, learners are discovering a more positive and empowering learning experience. Protected groups are breaking barriers, excelling in their professional roles, and finding a supportive community that celebrates diversity. As we continue to evolve and enhance the platform, we are committed to upholding these principles of inclusivity, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Future Enhancements
We remain committed to continual improvement, with a particular focus on accessibility, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our goal is to ensure that every learner feels welcome and valued in our community.
In the future, we aim to implement features that cater specifically to dyslexic learners and continue to uphold sustainable practices. We believe that by embracing and supporting each individual’s unique learning needs, we can further enrich the social learning experience and create a truly inclusive educational platform.
Conclusion:
Our digital learning portal is more than just a portal; it’s a gateway to a thriving learning community. Through social learning, learners gain not only knowledge but also connections, insights, and a sense of belonging. As we continue to enhance and expand our social learning capabilities, we invite learners from all walks of life to join our vibrant community and embark on an educational journey like no other.
Thank you for reading!
