5 Best Social Learning Platforms in 2024 (+Theory Explained)

Navigating the myriad of social learning platforms can be daunting. You’re likely seeking a social learning platform that fosters interaction, boosts engagement, and supports transformative learning experiences. We cut through the complexity, providing clear criteria for selection and a focused look at how these platforms can effectively meet your learning goals.

What we will explore together:

• In simplest terms, social learning platforms are revolutionizing education by combining the interactive dynamics of social media with educational content to enhance learner engagement and collaboration.
• Key features of these platforms include gamification, community-building elements, real-time communication, and integration with other social tools, which are pivotal in creating a more engaging learning environment.
• Disco stands out among social learning platforms for its comprehensive set of features, including AI-powered tools, discussion boards, member spaces, events management, chat and messaging, a mobile app, and a customizable homepage, all designed to foster a dynamic and interactive learning experience.

What is social learning?

Have you ever found yourself in a new job, quietly observing a more experienced colleague as they navigate complex software with finesse? Can you recall how you watched their every click and keystroke, taking mental notes on how they manage tasks so efficiently?

Did you then find yourself trying out these observed techniques, tweaking them through trial and error until you too mastered the system? If this rings a bell, you've experienced social learning theory firsthand.

The concept of social learning originated from the theory proposed by psychologist Albert Bandura. He advocated that observation, imitation, and modeling are integral to learning, highlighting the significant part played by social interaction and cognitive processes.

Over the years, Bandura refined the theory, underscoring the importance of observational learning, imitation of behaviors, and the influence of associated rewards and punishments.

In the present context, modern learning methods integrate the core principles of social learning theory. The contemporary understanding of social learning suggests that social behavior is acquired not just individually, but also collectively through online learning and other modern learning techniques.

Modern social learning platforms like Disco, incorporate these principles through gamification, positive reinforcement, rewards, and the development of inclusive community-powered learning. They also enable learners to utilize social media for sharing and modeling behaviors and outcomes.

Simply put, modern social learning platforms:

• Merge the foundational principles of social learning theory with technology
• Craft an engaging and interactive learning experience
• Bring the social aspect to the forefront of learning
• Foster a sense of community
• Facilitate a deeper understanding through peer learning and critical thinking

💡 Discover more about what is social learning.

Benefits of social learning in education

Within the education sector, social learning has justified its value by providing transformative learning experiences. Here are the key benefits it brings:

Empower learners to become proactive participants

Social learning empowers learners to become proactive participants in societal change and transformation processes. The key here is active learning - a component that encourages learners to engage not just with the material but also with their peers. This heightened level of engagement creates a conducive environment for increased creativity and innovation.

Gamification transforms mundane lessons into exciting challenges, making learning a fun and interactive experience. By incorporating elements like points, badges, and leaderboards, you can motivate students to participate actively and strive for excellence. This approach not only enhances engagement but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among learners.

Leveraging a robust social learning platform like Disco ensures you have the tools to track and analyze student engagement effectively. This data-driven approach allows you to identify areas where students excel and where they might need additional support, creating a more personalized and impactful learning journey.

See firsthand how Disco integrates gamification to elevate the learning experience:

Intensify knowledge retention among students

Social learning enhances knowledge retention among students by providing interactive cohorts, and discussion forums, fostering collaboration, and promoting critical thinking. By leveraging social learning tools like discussion boards, video conferencing, and social media integration, these platforms foster a collaborative learning environment that is dynamic, interactive, and conducive to learning.

Enhance learner completion rates

When learning with peers, students tend to be more accountable on their learning journey. Learning with others motivates them to learn and complete their courses since they feel a sense of belonging and realize they are not alone in their educational endeavors.

Incorporating social learning into your program can make a significant difference, resulting in higher course completion rates and a more engaging learning experience.

Social learning platform vs traditional LMS

As we explore the world of social learning platforms, comprehension of their distinction from traditional learning management systems (LMSs) becomes important. While both encompass similar features such as analytics, efficient course design, SCORM compatibility, and user management, there’s a marked difference in their emphasis.

A traditional LMS focuses on course creation and management, centralized record keeping, and monitoring course completion and learner progress. Yet, a social learning platform has advanced a step beyond. They incorporate distinguishing features such as video conferencing tools, social media integration, and convenient notifications, all within a design that offers a human context to the learning experience.

This encourages more active and dynamic learner participation, differentiating social learning platforms from traditional LMSs, and positioning them as a comprehensive social learning management system.

Within an educational setting, social learning platforms offer substantial benefits, including:

• Enabling face-to-face learning
• Endorsing online and blended learning solutions
• Simplifying course design and analytics
• Cultivating learner engagement through interactive elements like forums, discussion boards, and group projects

These features help foster collaborative learning among students, making social learning platforms a preferred choice over traditional LMSs.

Key features of social learning platforms

Social learning platforms, also known as collaborative learning platforms, are equipped with a wide range of collaborative learning tools that create an engaging and effective learning experience.

Discussion threads and live events are other integral social learning features, facilitating knowledge sharing, collaboration, and engagement among participants.

What makes social learning platforms stand out? At the core of these platforms lie social media-like functions that enhance learning by facilitating communication and collaboration. They enable:

• Interaction with mentors, coaches, instructors, and other learners
• Creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment
• Underpinning both social and collaborative learning experiences.

These platforms also incorporate essential characteristics that facilitate collaborative learning. Some of these characteristics include:

• Video conferencing tools
• Social media integration
• Convenient notifications
• Capability to manage and deliver other types of educational programs

Top 5 Social Learning Platforms for 2024 (Free/Paid)

With the progressing digital age, the panorama of social learning platforms is consistently evolving, with the emergence of new platforms and continuous innovation of existing ones. So, which are the top social learning platforms for 2024? Let’s take a closer look at the frontrunners in this space:

1. Disco. The #1 AI-powered social learning platform
2. NovoEd.
3. 360 Learning. Ideal for Workforce Development
4. Miro. An Interactive Whiteboard Platform
5. Noon. A Gamified Learning Platform for Teachers and Students

Each of these platforms brings a unique set of features and benefits to the table, catering to a wide range of learning needs and preferences. Whether it’s the Disco AI tool that helps educators create courses 10x faster or Eduflow’s polished and user-friendly interface that streamlines course creation and attendance processes, these platforms are a testament to the transformative potential of social learning.

#1. DISCO: The #1 AI-powered social learning platform

Disco reigns supreme in the domain of social learning platforms, securing the top spot with endorsements from leading virtual academies such as the Schulich Academy, The Ivey Academy, Coding Temple, and many others.

Its innovative suite of AI-driven tools, comprehensive learning programs, and integrated community features position Disco not just as a platform but as a transformative learning partner.

With Disco, educational businesses can customize their branding and learning experiences, while its robust engagement tools ensure that learners are part of an interactive and vibrant educational ecosystem.

Real-time communication, personalized notifications, and a user-friendly interface support active participation and a collaborative learning journey. Here's why Disco is the unparalleled choice for a social learning platform:

AI-first approach

Among thousands of LMS, Disco stands out by integrating its own AI native tool directly into its social learning platform. Disco AI is versatile, working seamlessly with both learning tools and community management. It can generate various content formats, from texts, images, and video assets, to course outlines, curriculum, and quizzes.

On the community side, Disco AI acts as a helpful assistant, answering member queries, identifying ways to boost engagement, and providing actionable prompts.

Get a glimpse of how Disco AI re-engage inactive members:

Learning and community tools are integrated seamlessly

To make learning truly 'social', a platform must combine learning and community elements. This integration allows learners to interact using tools like discussion forums, channels, events, and leaderboards, enhancing both course content engagement and peer interaction.

Disco excels at this by merging these tools into one interface, fostering a vibrant, interactive community and making the learning experience more engaging and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Intuitive interface and modern design

Have you ever bought software that took weeks to figure out how to use? If so, you know the pain of dealing with a steep learning curve. But with Disco, you won't have to endure that frustration.

Thanks to its beautifully designed dashboard, you can get your learning programs up and running in just a day. It's so intuitive that anyone can dive in and start creating without a hitch.

Extensive customization

Disco is not just an intuitive platform with modern design; it is also highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the platform to reflect your brand. It goes beyond basic white-labeling LMS, offering extensive options to modify labels, appearances, and onboarding processes through its Notion-like editor, modular blocks, and drag-and-drop design tools.

When choosing a social learning platform, don't settle for basic customization. Ensure that the platform amplifies your brand and delivers a unique, branded experience to your learners.

Powerful analytics and insights tool

Disco's powerful analytics and insights tool provides educators with a comprehensive view of learner engagement and progress. With features like real-time data tracking, customizable reports, and detailed performance metrics, educators can make informed decisions to enhance their programs.

This tool allows for the identification of trends, strengths, and areas needing improvement, ensuring a data-driven approach to education. By leveraging these insights, educators can tailor their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their learners, ultimately fostering a more effective and personalized learning experience.

💡 Are you serious about integrating social learning into your learning programs? Start a 14-day free trial and create your social learning environment with Disco!

#2. NovoEd: The collaborative learning platform for enterprises

NovoEd is designed specifically for enterprises, offering a robust platform that supports collaborative and experiential learning. NovoEd's approach is centered on the idea that learning is most effective when it is social, engaging, and rooted in real-world applications.

NovoEd's platform facilitates collaborative projects, social learning, and experiential learning, encouraging teamwork, interaction, and practical application of knowledge. Key features include customizable learning paths, advanced analytics for tracking progress, integration capabilities with other enterprise systems, and mobile accessibility for learning on the go.

💡 Read more: NovoEd reviews

#3. 360Learning: Ideal for workforce development

360Learning aids in workforce planning by enabling organizations to create tailored career and skills paths, synchronize learning opportunities with workforce planning, and utilize AI to provide pertinent training for upskilling the workforce.

Plus, their mobile learning app for iOS and Android is equipped with features including Collaborative Learning, cross-platform catalog, offline mode, and push notifications.

360Learning offers a range of top features that make it a standout platform for workforce development. Key features include collaborative authoring for diverse course content, globalization capabilities for global organizations, in-depth reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions, a robust feedback system for continuous improvement, and AI-powered skills management to align training with organizational goals.

💡 Learn what users think: 360Learning reviews

#4. Miro: The #1 whiteboard platform to boost interaction

Miro is an interactive whiteboard platform with an unlimited canvas, a comprehensive range of widgets, pre-made templates, and strong platform capabilities. Its online and app-based settings enable users to create, collaborate, and exchange ideas within workspaces.

Miro’s interactive whiteboard contributes to a more engaging learning experience by providing visual elements that support visual learners and encourage active participation, facilitating collaboration and the sharing of ideas in a communal space, and offering diverse learning opportunities for education.

Additionally, Miro can be seamlessly embedded within Disco, enhancing the platform's capabilities by integrating interactive whiteboard features directly into the social learning environment, thus fostering a more dynamic and collaborative experience for learners.

#5. Noon: A gamified social learning platform

Noon is a gamified learning platform that enriches the learning experience through the provision of live interactive classes, gamified peer learning features, and opportunities for competition and socialization with friends, which are reflected in its user interface and design.

Noon offers free live, interactive tutoring sessions and classes with gamified peer learning features, allowing students to challenge friends and master essential concepts using fun, interactive tools. This unique approach positions Noon as a prominent collaborative learning platform. With over 12 million students and 100k teachers across eight countries, Noon has established a solid footing in the world of online learning!

Our Final Note

Social learning platforms are transforming the educational landscape by infusing learning experiences with social interaction and collaboration. By integrating the principles of social learning theory, these platforms provide a dynamic learning environment that fosters engagement, creativity, and knowledge retention.

Start engaging your learners with Disco's 14-day free trial! If you have any queries and want to talk to our customer support, then book a demo with our team and we will assist you!

As we move into the future, the role of social learning platforms will only continue to grow. If you’re in the education business, now is the time to harness the power of these platforms and pioneer a new era of learning. After all, learning is a social endeavor, and it’s time we embrace it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a social learning platform?

A social learning platform is an online space designed to streamline the creation and delivery of educational programs. It combines the interactive nature of social media networks packed with social learning tools to foster engagement and collaboration among learners.

What is the best social learning platform?

When it comes to choosing the best social learning platform, Disco stands out as the leading option. Its comprehensive suite of AI-driven tools, seamless integration of learning and community features, intuitive interface, and extensive customization capabilities make it the top choice for educators and learners alike.

What is Social Learning Theory?

Social learning theory, introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura, emphasizes the importance of social interaction and cognitive processes in the learning process, suggesting that learning takes place through observation, imitation, and modeling.

What are some examples of social learning?

Direct social learning examples include participating in group discussions and collaborating on group projects, while indirect social learning involves observing without direct interaction. Both forms of social learning can be effective in training.