Non formal learning and circumstantial variables

28-June-2005

The point of the research - or at least of the analysis of it presented here, is to suggest that formal and informal learning is more or less appropriate for different individuals. I am more inclined to the idea that the social work organisation, the nature of work and the subject of work may be more important circumstantial variables.

Rapid eLearning News: Findings from NSF Study:

Interesting post in The Rapid e-Learning News blog. The entry (sorry have no connection and do not know the name of the author) quotes a report by the US National Science Foundation looking at informal learning in the workplace. Job competence of sales engineers demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with customer satisfaction. Formal learning methods demonstrated a statistically significant negative correlation with job competence. Informal learning methods demonstrated a statistically positive correlation with job competence. In this case, informal learning methods included a well organized ‘communities of practice’ program supported by extensive, expert knowledge capture and retrieval processes and technologies.

The author suggests the reason for these results is that competent workers who learn from their own experiences require less formal training whilst “Less competent workers do not have the cognitive framework needed to effectively assimilate new knowledge independently, and therefore, utilize informal methods relatively less”. the author believes informal and formal learning are “two approaches to learning that are both more and less appropriate under different circumstances.”

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Extended text for this entry:

Not so sure that I agree - although lots depends on what is meant by circumstance. The point of the research - or at least of the analysis of it presented here, is to suggest that formal and informal learning is more or less appropriate for different individuals. I am more inclined to the idea that the social work organisation, the nature of work and the subject of work may be more important circumstantial variables. Its not quite clear from the web log account of how the research was carried out. One of the problems in developing work based learning is the dependence on work organisation and the provision of learning opportunities for work based learning to take place. What may be a powerful environment for learning in one organisation may be totally sterile in another. Of course, formal training courses also differ greatly in quality. But we have considerable experience in designing and evaluating training - experience which has yet to be gained in the development or shaping of rich work based learning environments.

Despite the recent buzz around workflow learning I see the generalisation of what is at present isolated pockets of creativity to be problematic.


Graham Attwell; 28-June-2005 09:36:38;