OK, this is a post written as I'm thinking. I was just reading comments from my post on Autonomous/Formal/Informal Learning and thought I'd put some of my thoughts down in a post as they come! Let's see how it goes?
My thinking is this - formal/informal/autonomous/individual - they are all labels, descriptive in their own way. Part of the problem though is that they may all mean slightly different things to different people. And, if you are speaking to an employer and are extolling the benefits of informal learning - one, they want/need a definition - two, they want to know how it works - and three, it just seems to add to the other 'boxes' of 'types' of learning that exist.
As I said I'm writing on the fly, what I mean is this (quick break to make a diagram).
OK, on the right is a crude picture representing the current arrangement. A small box of formal learning and a larger box of informal learning exists within the circle that represents all activity within a workplace.
Most businesses, it is probably fair to say, focus on the red formal box. The business may then be introduced to the concept and benefits of informal learning, another box is introduced.
Whilst the box sizes may not be accurate, my point is that putting learning into boxes, no matter what size, colour or name still creates a separation - learning/business operations.
And here's my point, maybe to change the perception of business away from learning as an event, or as a function separate to business activity we, (that is, learning professionals, L&D consultants, ID's, whatever we call ourselves) should drop all labels and only speak of learning.
Let's just say that when anyone is at work, they are learning, it should look more like this diagram.
Basically, if you are at work, you are learning. Sometimes you might need to go to an organised activity but most of the time you're just getting better at doing your job.
The move from diagram one to two is really about behavioural and cultural change. Once a business has made this shift all learning modes are available to be combined to meet any operational need.
You need to change HOW people think. Learning doesn't happen in boxes, learning is what we do ALL the time.
So, there is my post on the fly. I'll probably read it tomorrow and not be entirely happy, but I reckon the guts of it is OK. The key change is to see that learning is integrated within the very nature of what all workers do whilst at work, it isn't formal or informal, it isn't an added extra or something separate, it is learning. And...(you mightn't like this!)....perhaps one good place to demonstrate this is by NOT having a separate learning department.
