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?
Value Rating Percent %
Some Value 41%
High Value 21%
Neutral 16%
Low Value 14%
Don't Know 5%
No Value 4%
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?
Social Project Use
Percent %
No 65%
Yes 35%
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"
Social Learning is a Fad
Percent %
Disagree 40%
Strongly Disagree 37%
Neutral 12%
Agree 9%
Strongly Agree 2%
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
http://www.masie.com/social1