10 predictions for the future of social learning from the 2020 Workplace

The last ten years has seen phenomenal change in technology and the learning function in such a short time. What can we expect to happen over the next 10 years? How will it affect the way we work and live? And what can companies do to prepare for the change ahead?

In their new book, "The 2020 Workplace, How Innovative Companies Attract, Develop, and Keep Tomorrow's Employees Today", corporate learning professionals Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd bravely predict the nature of the workplace of the future. Here is an excerpt from a recent article with some of what they have discovered.

Prediction 1| Augmented reality learning emerges

Simulations and games could take on a whole new level of interactivity, technical training could be done virtually without expensive labs, and management conferences could become networking events designed around finding knowledge content built on a pre-event profile, just to name a few.

Prediction 2| Most learning incorporates use of a mobile device

With increased capabilities of real time search on all mobile devices – smartphones, tablets (such as iPad), or netbooks, learning will truly be just in time. Ask a question, get an answer. When you incorporate GPS sensitivity into a learning environment, many possibilities emerge.

Prediction 3| Games and simulations are used for every content area

The Millennial generation has grown up on games. IBM has found that participation in massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs) develops leadership skills. Companies such as BTS have been using simulations with management teams for years, allowing senior executives to practice running the company.

Prediction 4| We will have a huge app-etite

Morgan Stanley predicts 500,000 new applications before the end of 2010. Corporate HR and learning functions will get into the business of custom app development.

Prediction 5| Peer-to-peer learning blossoms

Millennials can't imagine getting their work done without relying on the tribe they've collected through their online social networks. Expect to see a proliferation of platforms aimed at Facebook-type applications in the organization, with some of these platforms to be specifically developed in the learning field and incorporated or integrated with the LMS.

Prediction 6| Expert and credibility ratings create trusted search networks

Knowledge is doubling every 18 months. As search evolves, we will be able to identify industry experts and friends whom we trust, and our search results will include in the algorithm of results those sites and resources that our trusted sources have indicated as solid content.

Prediction 7| Search bots go on the prowl for you

Search robots, commonly called "search bots," will prowl the web on your behalf, culling the data and delivering it to your doorstep every morning. Like any good pet, it will get better with feedback and training, so you will teach it to become more accurate by indicating that you like some bits of content and not others.

Prediction 8| Governments will become more involved in ensuring that its citizens have access to training and retraining

Expect to see governments provide more incentives for retraining workers. These incentives could include anything from tax incentives to authorizing personal accounts, much like 401(k) retirement savings plans in the United States.

Prediction 9| The learning function's focus shifts to accreditation, with less emphasis on the learning process itself

With instant access to knowledge to perform a job, there will be less need for people to prove their credentials. Instead, learning functions will set the standards of performance required to achieve accreditation, install systems for enabling achievement of that accreditation, and track completion.

Prediction 10| You will be rated publicly, much like a Yelp or Amazon rating for people

Yelp is a popular review site for local restaurants. Few people order from Amazon without looking at the ratings of past purchasers. Glassdoor.com already provide insights regarding the culture, pay, and management quality. It is not a big leap to assume that eventually, managers will be publicly rated, followed by everyone being rated.

The book's authors believe that the next generation of workers coming into organizations will demand being able to work in ways they've already found to enable success. If the learning function does not step up to the task, some other department in the organization will, and a learning function will become irrelevant.

On the other hand, if the learning function has a vision for the future, and works patiently to inspire organizations to move into a new way of work and learning, the relevance and core criticality for business success could be unprecedented in our field's history.