Part 1: Informal Learning

What is it?

Why should I care?

Stan Skrabut

University of Wyoming Extension

@uwcesedtech #uwces

http://www.slideshare.net/skrabut

People spend 70-90% of their lives involved in informal learning.

Learning

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You are one of these people who leverages informal learning for your advancement.

There are so many different opportunities to learn, you do not want to waste your time.

You want to get the most out of each learning opportunity.

I am going to explain the importance of

informal learning and its impact on the

organization.

What is informal learning?

Here are some definitions of informal learning.

"The unofficial, unscheduled, impromptu way people learn to do their jobs. It can happen intentionally or inadvertently." ~

Geiman and Dooley (2011)

"The learner sets the goals and objectives. Learning is not necessarily structured in terms of time and effort; it is often incidental and unlikely

to lead to certification." ~ Mattox (2012)

"Informal learning is any activity involving the pursuit of understanding, knowledge or skill which occurs without the presence of externally

imposed curricular" or pressure. ~ Livingstone (2001)

Here are key characteristics of informal learning.

Informal learning often occurs at the spur of the moment, typically to address an immediate problem.

Informal learning is normally limited in scope and duration.

Informal learning is in reaction to day-to-day experiences.

Informal learning may be planned or unplanned, expected or unexpected, and self-planned or organizationally initiated.

Organizations may or may not support informal learning.

Adult learners are involved with informal learning 70-90% of their lives.

One of the primary reasons for informal learning is solving a problem either personally or for someone else.

Many adults do not consider themselves to be learners because of the negative association they have with school.

Professionals may take a different approach to learning, and are more inclined to be involved in informal learning.

In education, there is an emphasis on lifelong and informal learning in order to stay relevant in the professional field.

What is the influence of

informal learning on organizations?

Organizations and businesses with a strong learning culture are more adaptable to change.

If you want a high-performing organization, then encourage employees to continually learn.

Organizations with a strong learning culture have less turnover and increased productivity.

Organizations can positively or negatively impact the climate for learning.

Although organizations focus on formal learning, a majority of employees are learning through informal learning methods.

A CapitolWorks study indicated informal learning was 3 times more important to an organization than formal training.

A Carnevale report estimates $180 billion is spent on informal learning, and businesses spend $50 million on formal training.

Individuals spend 70-90% learning informally and 10-20% formally; yet, 80% of training budgets focus on formal training.

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Implementing informal learning in organizations has been challenging.

Informal learning is not easily observed thus difficult to measure.

Informal learning can be time consuming.

To benefit from informal learning, organizations need the right tools, management buy-in, and a change in culture.

What can you do to improve

informal learning for your

organization?

Informal learning in organizations can be fostered by encouraging it.

Informal learning resources to be used outside of class should be integrated into formal learning opportunities.

Informal learning should be included in an individual’s learning plan.

Informal organizational learning networks need to be established to connect learners with key knowledge holders.

Successful organizations use social media and collaboration tools such as blogs, wikis, and communities of practice.

Educators should be developing awareness learning modules that will expose learners to new materials and resources.

We should be developing learning guides on subjects that provide a list of resources to learners.

We should be helping learners accessing learning resources.

We should be showing others how to share their own resources.

Organizational leaders are key to the implementation of informal learning.

Leaders should budget for informal learning opportunities

Leaders should make time available to employees for learning.

Leaders should recognize learning achievements and reward learning champions.

Here are the sessions scheduled for the next five months.

Individual Strategies

Collection Strategies

Interpersonal Strategies

Creation Strategies

Organizational Strategies