In our digital world, the workplace looks very different than it did twenty years ago. Modern technology facilitates remote work, but it can also impede social learning. Social connections and an exchange of ideas are important to employee success. These actions also bring a team closer together, making workers feel connected to a business. Using video, you can foster meaningful connections even when your workforce is geographically distant.
A Theory Proven
Social learning theory is an idea first proposed by Albert Bandura in 1963. Bandura theorized that people learn from one another through observation, imitation, and modeling. This position was tested using Bobo Doll Experiments. The findings show that learning isn’t passive, but that cognition, environment, and behavior are all part of an intertwined process.
How We Learn
If you’ve ever started a new job without a handover, you probably understand the importance of social learning. Employees are more comfortable when they can watch and learn. The ability to see a job performed while asking questions and exchanging ideas leads to better understanding and greater retention. This kind of informal learning environment fosters sharing, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Social learning is based on peer interaction. However, you can still benefit from social learning through video. Using the same principles of gaining knowledge from experts in the work environment, you can extrapolate to an e-learning environment. This can be achieved when learning management systems include social capabilities.
Retain or Retrain
The forgetting curve illustrates how our brains process new information:
- 70% of knowledge comes from observing others
- 20% of learning happens through interaction
- 10% of what we learn is from formal learning methods
Seventy-two hours after a training session, most people recall only 10% of what they learned. However, research shows retention rates as high as 70% when social learning is part of the process.
Using Video for Social Learning
Video is a great way to preserve knowledge. When you have a subject matter expert on staff, you want to be able to share that person’s experience and information. Creating a video with this person means employees have access to that knowledge whenever they need it. It also means you can retain that information when the SME moves on or retires.
Having access to SME videos is vital. A video hosting platform made available to employees gives them the opportunity to call on that information when they need it. Whether they’re encountering a relevant situation for the first time or they need a refresher, having an on-demand resource is invaluable. Not only will the employee have the confidence gained from viewing the material, but they won’t need to bother the SME or wait for an answer.
Take the social learning model one step further with a forum. Now your employee can do more than just passively view a video. They can also ask questions, submit ideas, and share their own experiences. In short, they can have a conversation with fellow workers about their work. This forum can be monitored and updated to keep information current and relevant.
Video for Employees
Social learning is a proven way to cultivate an informed, confident workforce. Even if your employees are working in different locations, you can take advantage of social learning using video. We can help you harness this important tool with a video series. Call us today for a free quote.
