Social Learning in E-learning: Why This Educational App Idea Is Trending?

Social learning has emerged as one of the buzzing trends in the e-learning industry. The influence of social media and mobile app technology is bringing a dramatic change in the education world.

Today, people prefer to learn in a collaborative environment than to stay aloof. This emerging trend is now opening new opportunities for educators and service providers who want to offer an enhanced e-learning experience.

As per the latest industry reports, the market of social learning is expanding at a considerable rate. Ed-tech startups, educational institutions, and top education app development company look to integrate social learning features in their e-learning apps for better ROI.

So, the question arises why the demand for social learning in learning is growing? Why it is emerging as a trending educational app idea? Let’s dive into this

What Is Social Learning?

Social learning is a process by which individuals acquire new behaviors, skills, attitudes, or knowledge through observing and interacting with others. This type of learning is not solely based on personal experiences or direct reinforcement. But it also involves observing, imitating, and modeling others’ behaviour.

Social learning is pervasive in human development and occurs throughout the lifespan. It plays a crucial role in the transmission of cultural norms, values, and skills from one generation to the next.

What Is Meant By Social Learning In E-learning?

In the context of e-learning, social learning refers to the integration of social interactions and collaborative activities into online educational experiences. It involves leveraging technology to facilitate communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among learners, either asynchronously or in real-time.

This approach recognizes the importance of social interactions in the online learning process. It aims to replicate or enhance traditional learning environments within digital or online settings by enhancing the social aspects.

By applying social learning elements in e-learning applications or educational apps users get an engaging online learning experience. Through social learning in e-learning, educators can create a more dynamic and interactive learning environment with social interactions.

Key features of Social Learning in E-learning

1. Social Media Integration
2. Peer-to-Peer Learning
3. Virtual Classrooms and Webinars
4. Social Learning Tools
5. Personalized Profiles
6. User Activity Feed
7. Discussion Forums
8. Moderation Tools
9. Collaborative Learning Spaces
10. Group Creation
11. Content Sharing
12. Live Chats and Messaging
13. Push Notifications
14. Customizable Alerts
15. Badges and Rewards
16. Leaderboards
17. Instructor Interaction
18. Performance Reports
19. Integration with Learning Content
20. Accessibility Features

Social Learning App: Why This Educational App Idea Is Trending?

E-learning industry continues to grow at a significant speed. With the increasing digital transformation and adoption of e-learning apps in online education, the demand for eLearning app development services is increasing. According to Global News Wire, the global e-learning market is projected to exceed $848.12 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 17.54% from 210.1 Billion in 2021.

This increased growth in the e-learning industry has made the online education world more competitive and innovative. Today, businesses and education service providers look to build unique elearning or educational apps that offer next-level elearning experience.

And social learning app is one of the top educational app ideas that is emerging significantly in the market. As the demand for interactive, engaging, and socially connected learning experiences continues to grow, the need for social learning apps is also on the rise.

However, the influence of social learning has not only entered the educational domain but also industries. According to LinkedIn’s Learning’s Workplace Report, learners who utilized social features spent 30 times more hours learning than those who didn’t use them.

Another report from Verified Market Reports suggests that the global social learning platforms market is estimated to reach $14 Billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 8.2%.

Thus, considering these market statistics, it is evident to see the influential emergence of social learning apps in the industry. For Ed-Tech startups and educational service providers, social learning has become a future-proof educational app concept.Many industry experts believe mobile apps play a pivotal role in the education industry by empowering students with social learning.

So why ultimately social learning app is trending and why businesses are interested in developing it? Here are the reasons:

1. Shift Towards Digital Learning

The global shift towards digital learning has accelerated. Due to advancements in technology and increased access to the internet, the need for innovative and feature-rich educational apps is growing. And social learning apps align with this trend by providing an online platform for collaborative learning experiences.

2. Growing Importance of Social Interaction in Learning

Research in educational psychology supports the idea that social interaction enhances the learning process. Social learning apps facilitate discussions, group activities, and peer-to-peer interactions. It helps in fostering a more dynamic and engaging learning environment. Therefore, its significance is increasing substantially.

3. Technological Advancements

Advancement in technology is one of the top factors behind pushing the growing role of social learning in e-learning. At present, people have access to smartphones, mobile devices, AR/VR devices, and high-speed internet which makes it easier to create and access social learning apps. Hence, this convenience of using smartphones for learning contributes to the popularity of such apps.

4. Diverse Learning Styles

Every learner is an individual. So, they have their own learning style or comprehension capability. By applying social learning in e-learning, individuals having diverse learning styles can still benefit from interactive and social learning experiences. Social learning apps cater to these preferences by providing a variety of collaborative features and multimedia content.

5. Global Learning Communities

Social learning apps enable the formation of global learning communities. Learners from different parts of the world can connect, share experiences, and contribute diverse perspectives. As a result, it aids in enriching the overall e-learning experience. Therefore, the concept of social learning apps is emerging as a leading trend in the industry.

6. Influence of Social Cognitive Theory

The concept of social learning has evolved from the social cognitive theory given by Albert Bandura. This theory emphasizes the role of social interactions in the learning process. Considering the significance of this theory, businesses and educational app development companies utilize this concept to enhance the e-learning landscape. Therefore, the demand for e-learning apps that empower educators to leverage social influence for positive learning outcomes is growing.

7. Efficient Corporate Training

In the corporate sector, there is a growing trend towards using social learning apps for employee training. These apps facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and continuous learning within organizations. Social learning platforms help companies and enterprises to efficiently train their employees. Leading mobile app development consultancy also suggests the increased use of e-learning apps for corporate training.

8. Globalization and Remote Work

As businesses and educational institutions embrace globalization and remote work, there is an increased need for effective online learning solutions. Social learning helps bridge the gap between physically dispersed individuals. It enables them to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from each other regardless of geographical location. Besides this, it also helps businesses reduce the cost of education app development due to the collaborative features of social learning.

Read More : Apps Constantly Benefits Education Industry: Unfold the Cost Details to Develop an Educational App

Benefits of Social Learning in E-learning

So, now you have seen how considerably the impact of social learning in e-learning is increasing. From private educators to educational institutions and universities to organizations, every market segment in the education industry seeks to leverage this emerging e-learning concept. This is because social learning offers many benefits.

Enhanced Engagement

Social learning fosters a sense of community and collaboration among learners. By engaging in discussions, and group activities, and interacting with other learners, users can make the learning experience more enjoyable and motivating.

Diverse Perspectives

Collaborative learning environments bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity enriches discussions and exposes learners to a variety of viewpoints. So, as a result, it leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Skill Development

Social learning encourages the development of critical skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You can practice and apply these skills in a digital environment and prepare well for real-world scenarios in the workplace.

Peer Support and Mentoring

Online communities and collaborative platforms provide opportunities for peer support and mentoring. Learners can seek assistance from their peers and share educational content and other resources. This app allows them to benefit from the expertise of more experienced participants, and thus create a supportive learning environment.

Increased Motivation

By applying social learning in elearning it enables educators and learners to leverage social interactions as a source of motivation. This sense of community, recognition from peers, and the opportunity to contribute to group efforts boost learners’ motivation to actively participate in the learning process.

Real-World Application

When you develop a social learning app you get the opportunity to offer solutions to ongoing problems. There may be many issues or challenges that students or teachers face at present. Thus, integrating social learning in e-learning service providers can help students learn more efficiently with practical, real-world scenarios and case studies. This application-oriented approach helps learners connect theoretical concepts to practical situations. And thus enhance their ability to apply knowledge in their professional lives.

Continuous Learning Culture

Social learning encourages a culture of continuous learning. By actively participating in discussions, sharing insights, and collaborating with others, learners become accustomed to ongoing learning and skill development beyond formal training sessions. It also keeps learners up-to-date with the latest trends and practices in their respective domains.

Data and Insights

One of the top benefits of social learning apps is they generate valuable data and insights. Educators and organizations can track learner participation, identify popular topics, and assess the effectiveness of collaborative activities. So, it enables them to make data-driven decisions for further improvement.

What Are the Top Examples Of Social Learning In E-learning apps?

The concept of social learning in eLearning has been working for years in the industry. Many brands and organizations leverage this educational app idea and witnessed impressive results. There are several examples that showcase the great impact of social learning on learning.

• EdApp

EdApp is a mobile application that provides cloud-based learning facility to users. This app utilizes various interactive features like training, interactive activities, and gamification methods to offer a social learning environment.

• LinkedIn Learning

This app allows users to connect with professionals, join groups related to their interests, and engage in discussions.

• Kahoot

It is a gamified learning app that enables educators to create quizzes, surveys, and games for interactive learning.

• Google Classroom

One of the most popular e-learning apps that provides a collaborative platform for teachers and students.

• Schoology

Schoology is an LMS that incorporates social learning features. It provides tools for creating courses, assignments, and discussions.

Wrapping Up

Social learning is a highly effective way to enhance learning experience. It empowers both learners and educators to take advantage of social interactions and build a better e-learning environment.

As people today are highly interested in using social media platforms for sharing content and interacting with each other, the role of social learning in e-learning industry is likely to acquire more substantial place.

Hence, social learning stands out as a promising educational app idea for startups and entrepreneurs who want to disrupt the e-learning sector with an innovative application.

However since the e-learning market is highly competitive, it is better to partner with a professional app development company that can assist you to build this app proficiently.