Role of Informal Learning in the Modern Workplace

by Staff

Skills a person endeavors in an informal setting are referred to as informal learning. In the organization, these skills can be honed by engaging with others, talking to them, working with others, on-the-job experiences, or through trial and error.

According to estimates, people tend to learn only 10 to 20 percent from workplace skills in formal settings, and the rest comes from informal setting learning. What keeps this learning apart, is that it is sometimes unintentional on the learner’s part and does not have predetermined objectives.

Most learning theorists believe that virtual classroom softwares gives the route to gain knowledge, information, and skills that can be incredibly powerful as it demands engaged participation, and knowledge is attained through creating something. This builds a neutral route that allows retention than traditional classroom training which stems the learning due to formalized setting.

Informal learning mostly always takes place outside the traditional walls of educational institutions. The place is not professionally organized, and it is directly related to real-life situations and issues. It is even spurred as a reflection of a natural working of a job, which is spontaneous, and creativity characterizes it.

As frequently used interchangeably with self classes the term, informal learning is not necessarily correct. As informal learning is related to unconscious activities, it differentiates from self-learning, which might be less formalized than a traditional in-class lecture, but it still holds some elements of objective and structure.

Incorporating Informal Learning into eLearning

From many trainers, a question that is often asked while talking about informal learning and its benefits is how to make it work along with eLearning and formal training methods. Coupling formal and informal learning can provide comprehensive and effective training, alongside these strategies:

  • Informal learning means learning in unstructured situations. Think about while creating eLearning or online training. When your eLearning might include factual information and hows, it can include social elements, such as the capabilities for employees to engage with others during the training process. Present information and after that including opportunities for discussion through the eLearning platform.
  • Encourage learners to conduct their individual research and step out of their comfort zone to reinforce what they learn in the eLearning platform.
  • Include a blog section in eLearning and ask for employee contributions. Employees will be able to learn by their own experiences with colleagues and reading thoughts. In fact, sharing your own thoughts and knowledge is part of a valuable learning tool. With the addition to the employee blog, there will be a constant exchange of information to facilitate the benefits of informal learning.
  • Conduct webinars to encourage employees to share thoughts and ask questions. Webinars are a cost-effective and easy way to reach everyone to be a part of valuable arguments and foster feedback,  especially when your employees are geographically scattered.
  • Try creating your individual social network and utilize it with your formalized eLearning courses. When depending on an organization’s social network, you can overlook security concerns that encourage employees to use social media channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, though you still enjoy being a part of the natural learning advantages that come from the use of social channels at the workplace.

Conclusion

There is no second guess when it comes to informal learning being more eye-catching and corporate leaders and training managers are taking a keen interest in shifting their ways to informal learning. It is something that is happening for quite a period but gaining a better understanding of what informal learning is and its impact on the workplace, training managers can use its advantages and power to harness it along with eLearning and formal LMS programs to better the workforce and maintain the standards.

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The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.

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