Social learning can develop an encouraging classroom environment, which in turn can inspire students to get engage and enjoy the learning experience. Social learning suggests that students learn through observations, developing traits, and habits based on the environment, including the willingness to participate in class.
Social learning is a continuous process of learning from other people where things are learned by observing people, asking questions, and sharing resourceful knowledge. We live in a world of exhibitionists where we like to watch and watched back.
The current dynamics and introduction of technology in the classroom has accelerated social learning adaptation by schools. Providing students with more outlets for creative communication can contribute to their social learning practice.
Utilizing Social Learning
Social learning combines formal and community learning. It’s all about helping each other and building networks, which is crucial in creating more collaborative spaces for students, sharing knowledge and conversations about their learning. Adopting a semi-structured approach works best as it encourages learning that remains relevant. A virtual community without stress, and speaking up in class can contribute towards an effective way of learning.
Grabbing Attention
Social learning is based on the theory where people learn new things by observing others. Therefore, paying attention is essential otherwise one fails to observe anything. Putting students in control of the discussions, and allowing the teachers to determine the agenda is a better way of incorporating social learning into them.
Assigning pre-work and letting the learner’s question and guide the class can encourage peer collaboration and group problem-solving skills among the students. Nurturing students with experiences should be the prime aim.
Retention
Including peer coaching by having peers teaching peers can incorporate social learning as well. Students must retain what they observe in order to model the behavior. If they are teams, they attend different discussions and further teach their topic to other team-mates, mirroring the real world. Online and printed materials can be created as reference material for ensuring all key points being practiced.
Imitation through Real Plays
Performing and practicing the positive behavior observed can help in transforming the role play into a real play. It allows students to become actively involved when it comes to debrief. Not only does this process incorporate social learning, but also appeal to the growing number of young leaders.
Adopting Social Learning
Social learning encourages interaction and facilitates learning in a way that already comes naturally to most students. It provides learners with greater control over their education and how they receive information.
Some benefits of social learning include:
The social learning concept has been around for over five decades now. So it’s interesting to see a resurgence in the hype around this way of learning. Most of what has been seen involve online or blended learning. Thus, including social learning is essential in the classroom as it is a trend soon to hit the education industry.
