Social Learning Survey Results
Social Learning Survey - Polled on March 12th Designed by: Participants in our Social Learning LAB & Seminar
Sent to: Learning TRENDS Readers - Global Learning Professionals Responses: 1,069 in 3 Days
Background: Social Learning is the utilization of Social Networks and Social Technology for specific organizational learning outcomes. This survey was designed in our LAB to take a quick pulse of learning colleagues around the globe on current implementations and plans for Social Learning.
Elliott Masie comments are indicated in BLUE below each question:
1. Do you use any of the following technologies in your organization? Choose all that apply
| Technologies Used | Percent % |
| Corporate Collaboration Portal (eg. Sharepoint) | 57% |
| Peer Coaching/Teaching | 52% |
| Media sharing (images, videos) | 48% |
| Collaborative Spaces - Wikis | 47% |
| Blogs | 45% |
| Learning Systems for Social Learning (LMS/LCMS) | 42% |
| Social Networks | 41% |
| Employee Profiles | 33% |
| Content Ratings and Reviews | 13% |
| Twitter and Mobile Content | 12% |
Elliott: It is logical that organizations are starting with in-place enterprise systems like SharePoint and Learning Systems - and more slowly adding profiles, reviews and more. Clearly, Microsoft's SharePoint and other enterprise systems will be looked to for increased Social Learning capacity and templates in the coming year.
2. Rate the value of social learning in your organization?
 |
Elliott: Wow! 62% found high or some value. Clearly the survey is self-selecting, but we would not have had these numbers 1 year ago. External use of social learning as well as the current economic challenges are driving increased interest. |
3. What are some barriers to social learning adoption? Rate from most difficult to overcome to least
| Most | Least | ||||||||
| Barriers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Average Rank |
| Relationship with HR | 20 | 45 | 75 | 90 | 143 | 193 | 236 | 207 | 5.8 |
| Organizational Culture | 370 | 183 | 155 | 90 | 80 | 63 | 38 | 30 | 2.8 |
| Financial | 91 | 99 | 94 | 149 | 150 | 147 | 121 | 158 | 4.9 |
| Relationship with Legal | 76 | 84 | 78 | 98 | 105 | 140 | 176 | 252 | 5.4 |
| Relationship with IT | 62 | 102 | 114 | 131 | 167 | 176 | 156 | 101 | 4.9 |
| Generational culture | 137 | 200 | 163 | 121 | 116 | 91 | 92 | 89 | 4.0 |
| Technical Savy (knowing how to use the tools) | 141 | 143 | 174 | 153 | 132 | 91 | 94 | 81 | 4.0 |
| Technology Infastructure | 112 | 153 | 156 | 177 | 116 | 108 | 96 | 91 | 4.2 |
Elliott: Organizational Culture got the single highest rating as a barrier. We are also going to need to work with legal, IT and HR on the spread of Social Learning.
4. How long have you been using social learning (individually)?
|
Years Used
|
Percent %
|
| 1-3 years | 49% |
| Less than a year | 24% |
| 4-7 years | 17% |
| 8 or more years | 10% |
Elliott: Increased and recent growth of interest. As our kids (or us) are on Facebook, Twitter and external social networks, the intrigue about their cousins in corporate learning is growing
5. Do you currently have a social learning project?
 |
Elliott: Here is where the difference between DESIGNED Social Learning and GRASSROOTS Social Learning start to emerge. Clearly, many workers and groups are doing grassroots and informal social learning. But, as organizations become explicit and start to DESIGN targeted learning tools and projects, these numbers will grow. However, a large % of Social Learning will always be worker centered and without organizational direction or even awareness. |
6. Social learning is a "learning fad"
 |
Elliott: 77% Disagree, 12% are Neutral and only 11% think it is a Fad. |
7. What percentage of your learning would you estimate could be done with a Social Learning format? (i.e., learning from and with other people versus learning from a instructor, book, elearning, etc.)
| % of Learning that could be Social Learning Format | Percent % |
| 0-10% | 8% |
| 11-20% | 14% |
| 21-30% | 21% |
| 31-40% | 14% |
| 41-50% | 11% |
| 51-60% | 10% |
| 61-70% | 8% |
| 71-80% | 8% |
| 81-90% | 4% |
| 91-100% | 1% |
Elliott: Interesting numbers., I am sensing that few organizations are looking towards Social Learning as the majority delivery system. About 21% of responders target the 21 to 30 percentage level.
Summary: The MASIE Center is deeply tracking the rise of Social Learning in organizations. This data is reflective of the broad spectrum interest that we are seeing from our colleagues around the world.
For more information - check out our next Social Learning LAB & Seminar - June 17 to 19 in Saratoga Springs, NY - http://www.masie.com
And, we will be announcing Social Learning '09 as a national meeting at our annual Learning 2009 event, Nov 8 to 11 - Orlando, Florida