Today’s employee training looks different than it did a few decades ago. There are more tools and technology available. A better understanding of how people learn gives us methods that are more effective and efficient. That’s why so many companies use a learning management system to facilitate online employee training.
One of the many benefits of eLearning is the way it brings groups of people together. Learners and instructors don’t have to be in the same physical space to complete a course. The social aspects of online learning have made it a powerful resource in both academic and commercial settings.
That’s why social media has become such a prominent feature in eLearning. According to The State of Social Media report, approximately 85% of business leaders stated that social insights inform their business strategies.
Social media is extremely versatile. It works whether an organization wants to learn how to increase compliance training engagement or when looking for ways to improve career development opportunities and onboarding.
A skilled workforce will give any business an edge. Expanding skill sets and closing skill gaps takes time and effort. Including social media in your training toolkit will go a long way in building a strong team that’s knowledgeable and adaptable.
How does social media empower learners in employee training?
Social Media Makes it Easier to Share and Gather Information
Social media creates a space that can house a variety of information. Learners can share resources and knowledge or search for items shared by others. It’s also a quick way for trainers, managers, and administrators to reach out to groups instantly.
Over time, group chats, forums, photo albums, and more can become ongoing repositories for discussions and information. Users can see if anyone else has asked the questions they have or pose new questions.
It’s an excellent supplementary resource for workbooks and training materials. Instructors who want to learn how to manage group projects in online training courses can use social media for collaborative tasks.
Addresses the Needs of All Learner Types in Your Training Class
There are multiple ways that a person can learn new information. The way that works best depends on the individual learner type.
Four primary types are considered in academic environments. These include:
- Visual Learners
Visual learners prefer to see the information, usually in the form of photos, charts, graphs, or videos. More graphical elements will give them the best results.
- Auditory Learners
Auditory learners prefer to listen to the information. They do well when hearing lectures or participating in verbal discussions. Talking helps them process information.
- Written Word Learners
Written word learners prefer reading and writing. Textbooks, worksheets, and content with text will give them the best results. They also tend to process information better when writing down notes.
- Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners process information better through tactile processes. They are more hands-on and like to practice and recreate tasks.
Social media can address all four learner types thanks to the varied content that can be supported. Create photo albums and upload videos for visual learners while auditory learners can listen to recordings of lectures and webinars.
Instructional documentation and text discussions in social media will help support written word learners.
Kinesthetic learners can benefit from social media through simulation activities. These can be added in the form of games, puzzles, quizzes, or anything that requires interaction with the screen.
Facilitates Interactions That Lead to Stronger Connections
Being able to communicate and interact in a professional environment is essential. Individuals must work well together to ensure that the team maintains cohesion. Communication is also a factor in productivity.
Employee training that includes social media can help build a foundation for strong connections. Training groups can meet their peers. Getting to know others makes it easier to approach people when there are questions, problems, or a need for assistance.
Many companies use knowledgeable workers, called subject matter experts, to support training classes. This creates an opportunity for new hires to get to know your experts, easing them into future interactions while on the job.
Team communication is necessary for success. Healthy, effective interactions lead to:
- Increased engagement
- Higher productivity
- More innovation
- Fewer conflicts
- Easier conflict resolution
- Better problem analysis
- More transparency
- Better overall morale
Available 24 Hours So Employees Can Access Resources Anytime
Traditional training classes used a scheduled time for everyone to meet and learn. This would be the time that most learners had to ask questions and seek assistance. eLearning makes it possible to access training resources 24 hours a day, even on weekends.
Today’s professionals are busy, and many companies have found that continuous learning is beneficial. Online training addresses the need for scheduling flexibility while giving employees a way to develop their careers.
Social media is another piece of this puzzle. Platforms are available all day. All you need is an internet connection, and you can go online and research information, ask questions, read forum posts, or discover something new.
Giving employees a place that they can visit anytime when they need training support is empowering. It gives them the tools to be self-sufficient without feeling isolated.
Easily Set Up Groups for Specific Job Roles, Business Goals, or Objectives
Most social media platforms include features that make it easy to organize trainees. Admins or instructors can set up groups that are specific to:
- Job role
- Business needs
- Carer development goals
- Skill set or knowledge level
Grouping learners makes it easier to deliver the right type of content to them. It also gives them access to others who are working on the same courses and can provide support.
This is also valuable when providing the best training resources to a broad group of learners who have different knowledge levels or authorization. Higher level employees can be given access to private groups so that secure data or insider information isn’t shared with anyone who shouldn’t see it.
You can gain the benefits of social media in eLearning at all levels of your organization without sharing everything with everyone.
Allows Subject Matter Experts to Share What They Know with a Group
Subject matter experts are invaluable in employee training. They can be a wonderful source of information and knowledge that doesn’t require hiring an external trainer. Get them involved in your social media training.
Assigning a subject matter expert to a group related to their topic will make it easier to share information with a large audience. It also gives learners a chance to speak with someone who has experience and knows the industry or a specific job role.
This can also prevent situations where only one employee possesses certain essential information. Should they need time off or decide to quit, you could have a serious problem if that information isn’t shared before they go.
By connecting your subject matter experts to training classes through social media, you can quickly disseminate that information to multiple people as a backup.
Can Be Done Using Internal or External Social Networking Platforms
You have two options when setting up social media in your training program. You can use one of the existing third-party platforms that are available to the public, or you can set up an internal social network.
There is a good chance that most of your employees already use at least one social network. The most popular platforms include:
- YouTube
- X (formerly Twitter)
- TikTok
The problem is that most of these are not designed for business use. You can create groups for free and use those internally, but you may be limited in features and run the risk of non-employees gaining access.
The alternative is to set up an internal social network. Many learning management systems offer this as a feature. They are more secure and give you control over how they are used and what is posted within them. Reading LMS reviews online can help you learn more about what’s out there and which platforms have the social media features you need.
