Still more on informal learning

08-August-2006

comments (1)
[ ICT and learning , e-learning in Small and Medium Enterprises ]
More thoughts on the role of informal learning in Small and Medium Enterprises

i am still editing the book on e-learning in Small and Medium Enterprises.

The central contradiction our research has revealed is that whilst there are few examples of formal e-learning in small enterprises, computers are widely used for informal learning.

I found the following passage (which I suspect I may have written myself) interesting:

"Perhaps the most important question is the relationship between education and training systems and informal learning. There is currently much attention paid to informal learning at a policy level. If informal learning could be systematised, it could be a cost effective route to increasing training. However in order to do this it is felt necessary to be able to measure the learning taken place - in other words to formalise that learning. As such the concern is to develop an exchange value to learning which at present is seen only as having use value. That is not to say that exchange values are only in the interests of employers and policy makers. In an insecure labour market, exchange values are important for workers. However present proposals and mechanisms to establishing exchange value are based on identifying equivalents within frameworks linking informal learning to formally acquired qualifications and therefore seem more likely to constrain rather than support the use and status of informal learning. A better approach might be to recognise the use value of informal learning through profiling learning in non-constrained (e)-portfolios. Such an approach would provide a major move to learner driven learning where all learning is valid rather than only recognising that learning supported by qualification frameworks. "

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Graham Attwell; 08-August-2006 14:07:08;

1 Replies (comments)

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1 Excange value for informal learning on kind of exists

I think that skills and knowledge aquired by informal learning already have exchange value on the labour market. Skills that a gained through informal learning are widely asked for by employers simply by asking for "work experience"
Hello Graham, I am not so worried about the approaches to formalise the outcone activities of informal learning. First of all, I think that it is impossible to formalise all the skills that are aquired by informal learning. Some things can only be learned by doing and are constantly improved while working. Another big advantage of informal learning is that empoyees can instantly react to changes at the workplace and aquire skills and knowledge that is currently needed there. Last but not least there is such a great variety of skills and knowledge that is demanded by employers. IMHO, this leads to the impossibility to formalise all the informal learning that takes place. The e-portfolios for the learners are a good idea to help the learner to become aware of and reflect about the things they have learned informally. Learners that are aware of the things that are learned informally might also be able to recognize and use the exchange value of the aquired knowlede and skills better.
Christiane Koeth, 10-August-2006 09:51:02