Q: What is peer learning?

A: This is my favorite topic because it is a part of social learning. From an anthropological perspective people are learning through stories. The most basic definition is: peer learning is a process in which people interact and have benefits from it, knowledge, habits and overall improvement. It might work through working together, discussions and collaborations. 

Q: Example of peer learning from Dan: Learning lunches. Have you tried learning lunches or other live in person, peer learning structure programs?

A: Two examples:

A marketing team sits down and each person analyzes the competitors and presents their findings to the teams. This brings together 2 things: analyzing and business skill. 

From OffBeat, they run small mastermind groups. Someone brings a problem to the whole team, and they all brainstorm around the challenge and discuss it.

Q: Can you talk a bit more about your mastermind groups in OffBeat and why they're so successful?

A: It is working because everyone is engaged in the process of knowledge sharing. Everyone is equal and that opens people to sharing knowledge. It is different with the mentor or trainer because people are subconsciously putting them higher and are afraid to come up as stupied in front of them. Second reason is that people just want to take part in this activity. Groups are between 5-8 people because it gives space for everyone to participate. Also if 2 of them are missing the session still can take place. 

Q: What topics are you covering at Offbeat that make this so successful? 

A: There is no given subject. People are coming with real challenges. But everything is connected to L&D department. 

Asynchronous Peer Learning

On Innential, all learning paths have an attached learners forum, allowing learners to ask questions and share their insights with each other. It’s asynchronous, easy, and they get an email to participate in the knowledge exchange.

A great example of asynchronous peer learning on Lavinia's LinkedIn (over 200 shares):

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/laviniamehedintu_top-100-behavioral-design-books-activity-6962498533488754688-5o2S?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

Q: How would you set up a peer learning program in a smaller company?

A: For this, learning lunches would be perfect. What you need to do:

1. Ask for subjects that people want to talk about. Do it in a attractive, pretty way with visuals. 

2. At first you do not need to set the currency. 

Q: How would you set up peer learning at an enterprise, international level?

A: With large companies it is more complicated when employees are in different time zones. What is really easy and effective is to set a prototype of a mentorship programme where more experienced employees can share knowledge with less experienced or new ones. 

“People are more interested in sharing their knowledge than you imagine"