Tagoras Issues 'Social Learning Trends in the Association Space' White Paper, Finding More than Half of Trade and Professional Organizations Utilizing Social Learning Technologies

CARRBORO, N.C., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A new white paper released by Tagoras, a consulting firm specializing in the global market for lifelong learning, provides insights into adoption of social learning practices and technologies by trade and professional associations.

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Sponsored by Meridian Knowledge Solutions, developers of the Meridian Global LMS, the white paper draws on data collected in a survey conducted by Tagoras earlier this year. Out of 102 organizations that responded to the survey, 54.9 percent indicated their organization uses social technologies as part of at least one learning product or service it provides. An additional 25.5 percent indicate they plan to start using social technologies for learning in the coming 12 months, leaving only 16.7 percent not using social technologies for learning and with no plans to start in the coming year.

"Social learning is really in the DNA of membership organizations," said Tagoras managing director for consulting Jeff Cobb, "It is fundamental to their value proposition. So, we are very encouraged to have evidence that trade and professional associations are actively embracing social learning technologies."

Survey respondents who reported using social technologies explicitly as part of their learning initiatives were asked to select which of 11 types of social technologies they use. Web video sites such as YouTube (70.0 percent) top the list of technologies currently in use, followed by discussion forums (65.3 percent), microblogging tools like Twitter (53.2 percent), and publicly available social networking sites (51.0 percent). Facebook (61.2 percent) and Twitter (55.1 percent) led the pack of specific technologies used by organizations for learning.

Cited by almost three-quarters of survey respondents, a place-based annual meeting of members was the number-one type of learning product associated with social technologies. Webinars and Webcasts were a close second, cited by 71.4 respondents. Four other learning products and services were cited by a majority of respondents as ones with which they currently use social technologies: Online learning, excluding Webinars and Webcasts (63.8 percent), place-based meetings of members other than an annual conference (58.7 percent), place-based seminars (52.2 percent), online communities of practice (51.1 percent).

In addition to providing data about association usage of social technologies, the report also offers a range of brief case studies. Organizations profiled include NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement, the Colorado Association of School Executives, the Society for College and University Planning, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and America's Health Insurance Plans.

The full complimentary white paper (no payment or e-mail address required), which is titled "Social Learning Trends in the Association Space," can be downloaded at:

http://www.tagoras.com/learning20/

Contact:

Jeff Cobb 
800.867.2046, x101

About Tagoras 
Tagoras provides expert strategy, marketing, and technology guidance to organizations in the business of continuing education and professional development. Its clients include a long list of national and international associations. Its research publications include Association Learning Management Systems, Association Learning + Technology, and Association Virtual Events. For more information, visit http://www.tagoras.com.   

SOURCE Tagoras