Various Perspectives on Social Learning

Hart, J. (2017, February 27). Top down implementation of social learning doesn’t work. Retrieved from http://modernworkplacelearning.com: http://modernworkplacelearning.com/magazine/top-down-implementation-of-social-learning-doesnt-work/

     The blog written by Jane Hart references the subject of social learning in the workplace. She discusses many of the complications of implementing the popular "top down" method of implementing social learning mechanisms and forums. It explains that by leadership attempting to impose social media, for example, upon the employee base, may cause friction and dissention with opposition to concerns such as; privacy, disinterest and extra work that is not necessary. She explains that a better approach would be a "bottom up" approach to social learning in the workplace. once suggestion to to gain insight into what motivates, excites and interests the employee base. Other pertinent information includes; what types of social media sites are already being used by the employees, what are some popular topics being discussed and how many employees are engaged in one or more social media sites. one reason that this approach works, is that it puts the employee in the drivers seat, creating an instant comfort level and further motivation to engage. Providing a sense of trust with the employee base can also go a long way, but requires trust on the part of the facilitator. finally, social media is one of the most popular and most used forms of communication and inadvertently social learning (Hart, 2017).
     Jane and the organizations she works with, as well as an impressive resume and thousands of blog followers, are specifically targeting various organizations in need of modernization and, at times, complete reformation. Her programs, blogs, and consulting work provide organizational entities with means to increase productivity and profitability as well as to create a more conducive environment for its employees (Hart, 2017).
       For this particular post, there were two responders. The one gentleman introduced the concept of using what are known as Enterprise Community Managers (ECM). These individuals are essentially moderators and propagators of the various systems in place to boost organization profitability as well as offering best practices in promoting social learning. The other repsonder mentioned the various cultural concerns in implementing social learning (Hart, 2017).
      The blog site appears reputable and reliable. Jane Hart actually started an organization known as The Center For Learning & Performance Technologies. She also has a book out entitled “Learning in the Modern Workplace 2017.  Jane Hart is currently the Director of the current program that she is working with, the Centre for Modern Workplace Learning. She set up the company to help various organizations and learning professionals bring current there approaches to propagating effective workplace learning (Hart, 2017).
      Based upon the reader’s comments and feedback, it appears she is well respected and sought out for advice in this and other specialty areas