Informal Learning

Informal learning is becoming much more of a factor in workplace learning as the digital age progresses and yet the benefits of face to face knowledge transfer remains important.

More and more people expect and need to be able to find the information they want, when they want it and in a format that makes it accessable. We are being constantly bombarded by information in many forms and that means that it is important to find ways to have that information filtered to make it able to be accessed.

As a learning organisation we understand the value of inofrmal learning and minimise the time that is spent in a formal learning situation for several reasons.

1. Formal learning isn't the most effective way for most people to learn. Especially in a Manufacturing context many people are Kinestheic learners. They like to get their hands on things and try them out so get a feel for how they work and what value they have.
2. Trainers are not the only people possessing knowledge. One of the fundamentals of lean manufacturing is an understanding that everyone has knowledge and understanding to contribute. Action learning projects allow trainers to support learning in the workplace where others can also contribute.
   
3. Informal learning can be cost effective and available on demand if managed. Due to it's cost formal training usually requires a group of learners to be assembled which usually means that some are waiting for information they want and others are in a class they don't yet see a need for.
   

An interesting site I stumbled across has a couple of quizzes looking at informal learning. Not in the manufacturing context but interesting anyway I think.

Informal Learning

I found it interesting seeing some of the options laid out the way they have. SIRF Roundtables are certainly a valuable form of informal learning and we are working to see how we can add more value with other information and collaboration tools.