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The Integrated
Classroom and the
Role of the Educator
By:
Debra Lee Gould
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Effect of social learning within an organization.
How might a social learning component train employees and change the
culture within an organization?
Effects social learning might have on the role of the trainer within an organization.
How to address employee accountability and online reputations.
What ground rules should be in place before launching a social learning
platform?
How might interpersonal relationships and productivity improve within an
organization because of an integrated approach to training and professional
development?
Benefits and challenges of creating a social learning environment with an
organization.
How does creating a social learning environment as part of the overall training and
development offering improved knowledge and relationships within the
organization?
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According to Bingham and Conner (2010), social learning is “learning with and from
others” (p. 4). Social learning can enhance the formal learning experience. It gives
the employees a place to discuss, in an informal manner, the training, ask questions,
and gain additional knowledge.
A social media tool such as Talkbiznow (2015) is a “web-based business community
that provides business services for small business and professionals” gives
organizations a place on the Internet to manage calendars, store files, and host
webinars (Tucker, 2011, p. 1).
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According to the University of Phoenix principles of pedagogy and andragogy
(2013), adult learners are self-directed and prefer to use previous learning experiences
to achieve success. Social learning can create a learning experience that offers
minimum instruction and maximum autonomy. Adults can use social media to
connect with other adults to discuss questions or work collaboratively on a project.
This approach changes the role of the trainer because the trainer becomes a facilitator,
facilitating the learning.
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Treem (2015) explains that accountability is “when individuals communicate, they are
providing an account of who they are and why they are acting a certain way” (p. 56).
These actions and communications cause observers to develop a perception of the
individuals based on their communications.
Employees can paint of negative picture of the organization even if their posts have
nothing to do with the company. If an employee post discriminatory comments, racial
comments, threatening comments, unpopular views, violent comments or general
comments unsupported by the organization can cause problems for the company
(Treem, 2015).
Employees must understand that “through an accountability lens, each affordance of
social media when appropriated, provides an account of an individual’s behavior and
makes that individual accountable for each communicative act” (Treem, 2015, p. 57).
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Integrating training and professional development can improve interpersonal
relationships and productivity. One approach is through creating a Personal Learning
Network (PLN). A PLN is about making connections and building relationships with
others in an individual’s professional field. These online connections can be from
anyone in the world, who wishes to share their expertise, answer questions, or just
change and brainstorm.
The careful selection of a PLN is important because the individual wants the
information to be helpful and meaningful. The sharing, answering, and chatting with
experts around the world is available through the Internet, which provides a global
perspective on strategies, educational issues, and technologies. The social media tools
used in PLNs makes the valuable information and personal connections available 24/7.
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High engagement learning platforms
Interactive learning enable greater retention
Employees interact in positive ways
Encourages lifelong learning
Less resistance to training and development requirements
More flexibility for completion of learning and training tasks
Wenger, 2000
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It is easier for employees to lose focus on the prescribed task when a social element
is introduced
If social media tools are utilized, there is a need for regulatory processes and
procedures
Employee participation may be difficult to solicit
Ineffective or inappropriate communication among employees may inhibit the
learning process and may create barrier to learning
Improper and unauthorized use of social media tools may lead to compromised
employee or organization reputations
Wenger, 2000
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After training, many employees wonder how they will find additional information,
knowledge, and answers to questions they may develop. Buchanan (2015) makes the
following suggestions to take full advantage of social media for spreading knowledge.
Show the value of social media at work
Social learning combines social media tools with a shift in the corporate culture,
a shift that encourages ongoing knowledge transfer and connects people in ways
that make learning a joy.
Create incentives for employees to get involved and share information
Creating incentives could be an integral part of sharing as employees attain
levels of adoption while also ensuring that the interactions lead to improved
efficiency of work.
Keep an eye on how social media is being used by employees
Monitoring helps find and prioritize responses that support the employees.
(Buchanan, 2015)
10. References
Bingham, T. & Conner, M. (2010). The new social learning. A guide to transforming organizations through
social media. Alexandria, VA: ASTD Press
Buchanan, C. (2015). Social learning: 3 tips to help employees share knowledge. Retrieved from
http://fieldservice.com/university/social-learning-3-tips-to-help-employees-share-knowledge/
Talkbiznow. (2015). Business services for the business community. Retrieved from
http://www.talkbiznow.com/static/overview/
Treem, J. J. (2015). Social media as technologies of accountability: Explaining resistance to implementation
within organizations. American Behavioral Science 59(1), 53-74. doi:10.1177/0002764214540506
Tucker, S. (2011). 10 best social media sties for small business owners. Retrieved from http://get-
susan.com/services/10-best-social-media-sites-for-small-business-owners/
University of Phoenix. (2013). Principles of pedagogy and andragogy. Retrieved from University of
Phoenix, AET500 – Foundations of Adult Learning Theory
Wenger, E. (2000, May). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Sage Journals 7(2), 225-
246. doi: 10.1177/135050840072002
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