We often find that informal and social learning are grouped together. Sure there are some overlaps between the two, but they are not necessarily one and the same.
In this presentation we talk about the nuances and differences and how these are applicable in our work at the foundation.
1. INFORMAL & SOCIAL LEARNING
Darren Nerland, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Manager, Learning Innovation & Technology
Ryan Gunhold – DLI Consultant & Seattle City U Faculty
2. What is Informal Learning ?
What are ways that Informal Learning works?
What are some Informal Learning Best Practices?
What is Social Learning?
What are ways that Social Learning works?
What are some Social Learning Best Practices?
Recommended Resources
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3. Informal learning is the unofficial, unscheduled, impromptu way most of us learn to do our jobs.
Jay Cross, author of Informal Learning (Ref)
WHAT IS INFORMAL LEARNING
Informal learning is learning without borders.
Organizations improve it by removing obstacles,
seeding communities, increasing bandwidth,
encouraging conversation, and growing networks.
It’s a natural way to learn and grow.
5. “Education is now outpacing the work world in leading informal learning, and gains in innovation with learning.”
5
HOW IS EDUCATION MANAGING THIS?
Gates has invested millions in educational video games,
funded the game-centered Quest2Learn and financially
supports YouTube sensation Sal Khan, founder of Khan
Academy. Gates hopes educational video games’
addictive quality can lead to scientific curiosity.
Growth of Blended Learning – getting lectures for
homework and using class time to enrich instruction
6. 6
WHAT IS SOCIAL
LEARNING
Social Learning is participating
with others to make sense of
new ideas.
Marcia Conner, author of The New Social
Learning (Ref)
Social Learning is a natural
continuous process of learning
with and from others.
Jane Hart, author of Social Learning
Handbook (Ref)
8. Can happen in Communities
like LinkedIn or Yammer
8
SOCIAL LEARNING
9. Social is based on the
idea that in modeling
behavior online, we
improve the learning
environment and
provide opportunities
for a person’s
knowledge, skills, and
abilities to teach others.
9
WHY SOCIAL WORKS
10. Integrated with Formal Learning
10
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS ITS USED?
Cohort Learning
Creating a OneNote for Groups
GH Foundations –
Learn 1, Teach 1, Do 1
11. 11
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS ITS USED?
Job Rotations
Talent Management
Goals
Career Growth and
Stretch Assignments
Lunch and Learns
12. Integration with Learning and Work Routines
Learning Spaces – devoted places for learning
Leader Led and Supported – leaders need to show support and
model the right behavior
Data Dashboards – everyone wants to see how they are doing real
time.
WHAT WORKS AROUND THE GLOBE
13. • Conduct a Lunch and Learn Session to introduce these concepts as a kick off
• Create an online learning group
• Create a monthly blog topic on Informal Learning and provide a link in the HR Newsletter – rotate
writers within the L&D Team - seed and reinforce ideas
• Create an Informal Learning Toolkit– continue to edit and refine
13
WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING TO GET IT
GOING KEEP IT MOVING?
14. What tools are needed?
How do we keep momentum?
What can you do?
14
ACTIVITY
15. Elearning Guild - Informal Learning
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1501/elearning-guild-research-informal-learning-with-and-without-ld
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1494/elearning-guild-research-informal-or-less-formal-learning
Informal Learning
http://www.slideshare.net/skrabut/informal-learning-6-the-organization-sets-the-foundation-for-informal-learning
Informal vs. Social Learning Definition
http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2014/09/16/is-informal-learning-the-same-as-social-learning/
Social in Learning
http://www.slideshare.net/DavidWillsTAPdip/social-media-and-its-role-in-learning-for-dummies?qid=b947886a-e4a8-42d1-96ec-
fd732ac0cca1&v=default&b=&from_search=10
15
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
Anything not formal? How does social learning look within this?
Informal learning
Informal learning is, by default, any learning that is not formal learning or non-formal learning. Informal learning is organized differently than formal and non-formal learning because it has no set objective in terms of learning outcomes and is never intentional from the learner’s standpoint. Often it is referred to as learning by experience or just as experience.
Informal learning is like riding a bicycle: the rider chooses the destination and the route. The cyclist can take a detour at a moment’s notice to admire the scenery or help a fellow rider. This is in contrast to formal learning, which is like riding a bus: the driver decides where the bus is going; the passengers are along for the ride. People new to the territory often ride the bus before hopping on the bike.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
More slides needed here for Social Learning
Has grown organically – always around Informal Learning
70-20-10 Principle