Informal learning 6: The Organization sets the Foundation for Informal Learning

The Organization sets the Foundation to Informal Learning

Stan Skrabut@uwcesedtech#uwceshttp://www.slideshare.net/skrabut

Organizations are realizing the importance of informal learning.

You are part of an organization where learning is a key function.

You realize that it is challenging to institute a learning culture.

You want to see a strong learning culture in your organization.

Let me show you the four key cornerstones to the organizational foundation.

At every level of the organization, efforts must be made to make a positive learning

environment.

Organizations are looking for alternative methods for instruction such as informal learning.

Because of information overload, organizations believe informal learning is a solution.

Organizations need better methods for providing immediate access to information.

Organizations are also desiring learners to take charge of their own learning.

Look for ways to integrate informal learning into day-to-day operations.

Make informal learning a part of an individual's learning plan.

Organizations should allow time for quiet study during the work day.

Organizations should set aside learning spaces.

Leaders should continuously encourage learning and publicize success stories.

Organizations should provide resources that are accessible and easy to use.

Collaboration and discussion is a key component to a positive learning environment.

Allow opportunities for employees to get up and talk with others about work as a way of learning.

Create opportunities to get people together for learning.

Do not try to formalize chats and networking, it will yield diminished results.

Everyone must understand their role in learning to

include employees, leaders, and supervisors.

Top management must have buy-in to the learning process.

Supervisors and managers are the key to informal learning in the workplace; they must lead by example.

Supervisors and managers will need to devote more time to coaching and mentoring.

Organization leaders should also lead training in the organization.

Supervisors and organizations can support learning by providing opportunities for learning.

Organizations should help provide tuition assistance.

Organizations should provide support for conferences and Internet learning opportunities.

Organizations should provide access to organizational and university libraries.

Organizations should recognize learning champions and achievements.

Organizations should provide opportunities for employees to mingle and share ideas.

Leaders should share books and articles they are reading.

Most importantly, leaders should remove policies that impede learning.

Managers are key to learning; they know what needs to be done.

Managers also need to help employees understand their organizational role and how they can advance.

Managers and supervisors must help employees identify learning needs, goals, and resources.

Managers and supervisors must also help employees determine how to measure success.

Employees must have easy access to learning resources.

There are three key elements necessary for informal learning resources:

Accessibility

QualityTimeliness

It is important to chunk information for easy retrieval and use, especially in a mobile environment.

Technology can be a force multiplier in a learning environment.

The learning system must be easy to use.

Learning resources can be supported with technology or not.

Time should be allocated at staff meetings to learn new things.

Organizations should encourage membership and participation in professional organizations.

Employees should be encouraged to create video clips, write book reviews, and write articles.

Organizations should use technologies such as wikis, blogs, and discussion boards to share knowledge.

Employees should be encouraged to teach a class for the benefit of the rest of the organization.

Supervisors and managers need to be converted into mentors and facilitators.

Organizations need knowledge

networks where employees can

continuously grow and learn.

Knowledge networks should be continuously growing and adapting to changing conditions.

By recording essential organization information, it is possible to identify knowledge weaknesses or gaps.

Managing content

Knowledge network

Managingconnections

ProvidingLearningresources

Providinglearningtools

Keyknowledge-sharingtools

Social networking

Blogs, wikis, web conferencing

CoPsdiscussion forums

Knowledge networks need to be easy to use and open to all participants.

When creating a learning system keep the formality down, and let the workers easily add content.

Knowledge networks should be editable by all members of the organization.

It is important to help others learn how to use the tools and when is the best situation.

Knowledge base systems help provide current answers in a just-in-time manner.

Teams are more inclined to collaborate while using tools such as wikis, blogs, and email.

Blogs and wikis can be used to consolidate information spread over many sites.

Information should be accessible through an aggregator rather than requiring a learner to always check back.

We have completed this series. Thanks for participating.

Individual Strategies

Collection Strategies

Interpersonal Strategies

Creation Strategies

Organizational Strategies

Questions?