Informal Learning: The Basics
Download as PPT, PDF3 likes1,311 views
This document discusses informal learning and provides context around key terminology. It presents 10 questions to help explain concepts of informal learning. Responses indicate that informal learning refers to learning that is self-directed by learners and occurs both intentionally and unintentionally through everyday work and life experiences. While informal learning has benefits for motivation, it also has drawbacks like potential for incorrect conclusions if lacking context. The document advocates raising awareness of existing informal learning to better support and extend its impact.
Informal Learning: The Basics
- 1. Informal Learning Basics Saul Carliner, PhD, CTDP Professor Graduate Programs in Educational Technology Concordia University Montreal, Quebec saulcarliner@hotmail.com www.saulcarliner.com © Copyright. Saul Carliner, 2010-2017. All rights reserved.
- 2. Activity 1. One at a time, I will present several statements to you. 2. As you read each statement, indicate whether you agree or disagree with it. 3. Then, we’ll discuss your responses. 4. I’ll close each discussion by presenting relevant research and its implications.
- 3. But First… What do you hope to learn from this presentation?
- 4. Question 1 Formal learning refers to classroom learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 5. If you dis-agreed with the statement—and feel comfortable doing so—please explain why you feel that way.
- 6. If you agreed with the statement —and feel comfortable doing so —please explain why you feel that way.
- 7. ?
- 8. Question 2 Informal learning refers to the courses offered by art museums and similar cultural institutions. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 9. Terminology Easily Confuses Common Terms What They Referto Formal learning Classroom instruction Diploma- and degree programs Certification programs Certificate programs Informal learning Self-study programs with or without a stated goal Programs offered by arts organizations Formally structured programs, but outside of a school structure and with no formal recognition at the end Nonformal learning Programs offered by arts organizations Formally structured programs, but outside of a school structure and with no formal recognition at the end Accidental learning in non-learning contexts Incidental learning Accidental learning in non-learning contexts Self-directed learning Self-study programs aiming towards a goal (usually overseen by a tutor and formalized with a co ntract) Ubiquitous learning Always available learning, especially through social media and mobile devices (If you observe duplication, it’s not an accident.)
- 10. Informal learning involves learner control over aspects of: Process (who controls and assesses the learning process) Location (intended for learning) Purpose (is learning is a primary or secondary goal) Content (abstract or technical, or related to a practical, everyday skill) Consciousnes s (awareness that learning occurred) Colley, H., Hodkinson, P., & Malcolm, J. (2003). Wihak (2009)
- 11. For Our Discussion Term Use Formal learning Instruction in which the instructor or some similar “expert” sets the objectives and determine the requirements for successful completion Informal learning Instruction in which some combination of process, purpose, location, content, and consciousness are determined by learners. Nonformal learning Learning that happens incidentally, accidental learning in non- learning contexts Incidental learning Same as nonformal learning Self-directed learning Self-study programs aiming towards a goal (usually overseen by a tutor and formalized with a co ntract)
- 12. Question 3 Informal learning really took hold as part of Web 2.0. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 13. Informal learning dates to the first humans. Before formal schooling 1960s and 1970s 1970s and 1980s Early 1990s Late 1990s Late 2000s De-facto and formal apprentice- ships “School of life” Self- directed learning Informal (then free- choice) learning Adult learning theory Performance support Knowledge management Informal learning
- 14. A combination of factors have revived interest in informal learning. Changes in business competition and employment practices Technology Evidence of how people learn their jobs
- 15. Question 4 Because it involves learning the proper ways of performing work, new employee orientation is not a good candidate for informal learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 16. If you dis-agreed with the statement—and feel comfortable doing so—please explain why you feel that way.
- 17. If you agreed with the statement —and feel comfortable doing so —please explain why you feel that way.
- 18. Phases in the Life Cycle of a Job (Carliner, 2012) Orient workers to the technical aspects of a job Orient workers to the values and culture of the group Expand the scope of assignme nts a worker can handle Build workers’ proficienc y Help workers deal with undocu- mented problems Update workers’ skills Help workers choose career goals Prepare workers for the next job Informal learning supports the development of workers throughout their tenures in jobs.
- 19. The extent of informal learning at a phase varies by the ease with which the material can be explicitly taught. 1 4 3 3 5 2 4 3 Orient workers to the technical aspects of a job Orient workers to the values and culture of the group Expand the scope of assignment s a worker can handle Build workers’ proficiency Help workers deal with undocu- mented problems Update workers’ skills Help workers choose career goals Prepare workers for the next job (1—extremely easily, 5—extremely difficult)
- 20. A variety of interventions support development support informal learning at each phase. Technical training OJT Observation and feedback on the job Onboarding Social activities Stories and Experiences Gaming- simulations Performance support Performance support Tips and tricks Seminars Forums to ask questions Coaching Lunch and learns Case studies “Communities ” Peer learning Seminars Independent research and study Trial and error Documentatio n Update classes Conferences Seminars News Observation and Feedback Coaching Lunch and learn Mentoring Coaching Internships Informational interviews Job shadowing Internships Education Development al assignments Credentialing Job shadowing Internships Orient workers to the technical aspects of a job Orient workers to the values and culture of the group Expand the scope of assignments a worker can handle Build workers’ proficiency Help workers deal with undocumente d problems Update workers’ skills Help workers choose career goals Prepare workers for the next job
- 21. Question 5 Because learners are motivated, they tend to learn more with informal learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 22. If you dis-agreed with the statement—and feel comfortable doing so—please explain why you feel that way.
- 23. If you agreed with the statement —and feel comfortable doing so —please explain why you feel that way.
- 24. Workers tend to learn on their own schedule (which may differ from yours).Time to perfor- mance None Extensive Extent of intervention
- 25. Lacking context, informal learners might reach incomplete or incorrect conclusions that need “unlearning.” The McDonald’s Hamburger Makers
- 26. Lacking context, informal learners might reach incomplete or incorrect conclusions that need “unlearning.” The McDonald’s Hamburger Makers Called m inim ally g uide d instructio n
- 27. Workers—rather than employers— drive informal learning. Research suggests that: Informal learners often focus on topics of interest to them—and avoid ones with little or no interest. Without external incentives, many learners: – Start self-study programs without finishing them – Fail to identify the take-away messages of a learning program
- 28. Like all forms of learning, informal learning has its strengths and drawbacks.
- 29. Question 6 Because so much information is available on the net, traditional schools, books, and periodicals are going to go the way of the dinosaur. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 30. Quantity of information on the Web does not mean quality information. Limits on: Information quality Search skills
- 31. Question 7 Social media are the best way to learn informally. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 32. If you dis-agreed with the statement—and feel comfortable doing so—please explain why you feel that way.
- 33. If you agreed with the statement —and feel comfortable doing so —please explain why you feel that way.
- 34. Informal learning takes many forms. Work processes with learning as a by-product Work assignments and projects Developmental assignments Independent research and study Trial and error Meetings Documentation Knowledge bases Advertising and similar brief messages Learning activities or processes embedded in work activities On-the-job training (OJT) Giving and receiving feedback Performance support Coaching Mentoring Communities of practice Networks Gaming-simulations Case studies Learning processes at or near workplace processes Formal courses Tutorials and guided tours Lunch and learns Seminars, symposia, conferences, and webinars
- 35. Question 8 We can significantly reduce our training budget by emphasizing informal learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 36. One of the many great misconceptions about 70:20:10.
- 37. One of the many great misconceptions about 70:20:10. BTW: Mo st re se arche rs stro ng ly sug g e st cautio n abo ut acce pting this fram e wo rk; it is no t validate d by re se arch de spite claim s to the co ntrary. (De Bruyke re & Kirschne r, 20 1 5. )
- 38. Consider these two facts.
- 39. Consider these two facts. Most of the research on the extent of informal learning suggests that people engage in 250 to 800 hours of it per year. If employers were to limit hours to 10% of that, they would be investing in 25 to 80 hours per year, which is at or above most employers’ training targets per year. Most organizations have no idea what informal learning occurs in their organization; they therefore could not have a sense of its cost.
- 40. Consider these costs of informal learning. Work time to study Formal instruction in informal study skills Coaching by managers and others Subscriptions to knowledge bases External incentives and recognition Setting expectations, especially with mentoring, informational interviews, and internships Suggestions for learning
- 41. Ano the r co st: Supporting facilitators of informal learning Who? Managers, senior staff, and mentors Why? They serve as the front-line of informal learning. What? Provide rubrics for observations Train facilitators to provide useful advice Train mentors for their roles
- 42. Although your organization might realize a paper savings, you might not realize actual savings.
- 43. Instead, you might realize just-in- time benefits of training that’s better tailored to needs and interests.
- 44. Question 9 The Kirkpatrick model with its 4 levels—(1) satisfaction, (2) learning, (3) transfer, and (4) impact—is incompatible with informal learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 45. Each level assumes a characteristic that informal learning lacks. Level Characteristic It Lacks 1 (Satisfaction) Well-defined event; could be a meeting or chance encounter 2 (Learning) Objectives Appropriateness of assessments 3 (Behavior or transfer) Awareness on the part of learners—and others—that learning occurred Objectives 4 (Impact) Business objectives
- 46. So use a different framework to evaluation learning. Individual Learning Learning Across Groups of Workers Identifying what workers learned Determining the extent of use of resources for informal learning Identifying how workers learned it Assessing satisfaction with individual resources Recognizing acquired competencies Identifying the impact of individual resources
- 47. Question 10 My company does not have an informal learning program. Therefore, we really aren't doing much around informal learning. ☐ Agree ☐ Disagree
- 48. 99.99% likelihood that informal learning occurs now—but you only have limited awareness of it.
- 49. By building awareness of existing efforts, you can support and extend them, and increase their effectiveness and impact.
- 50. Take-Aways What is the most important thing you learned in this presentation? What one question remains?
- 51. Learn more about informal learning.