The other 80% of Learning in Government –Informal Learning

1. The other 80% of Learning in Government –Informal Learning

2. Session Objectives • What is Informal/Social Learning? • Why the Interest? • Applications of Informal Learning in Government • Developing your Informal Learning Strategy

3. Learning • Learning is an essential transferable skill in today’s knowledge based economy • Direct relationship between learning, productivity and employee satisfaction • Pace of Change – Knowledge management

4. View of Learning - Changing • Knowledge economy • Emergence of Social Media • Time value of knowledge

5. Traditional View of Learning

6. So How Do We Learn?

7. Learning Spectrum

8. Informal Learning-ASTD Study

9. Informal/Social Learning is Not New • Has been around as long as people have worked • Is spontaneous and unplanned • Learner is in control

10. Informal Learning Skill-Set • Many people are natural, informal, self-organized learners, some will need to help to acquire a range of skills to manage their own personal learning and work collaboratively with others. • Research shows many would benefit from a ‘Knowledge-Survival Skills” Workshop. 

11. Informal Learning Enabling Skills (Curriculum) • Search and find skills • Critical thinking • Creative thinking • Analytical skills • Networking skills • Research methodology

12. Informal Learning - Challenge • Seize the Opportunity-Organizational buy-In • Choosing the right tools - Social Media , PLE (Personal Learning Environment), learning spaces • Blended Formal/Informal learning strategy – spontaneity

13. Learning in Government

14. Knowledge Management • Knowledge Requirements • Refresher • Improved • For immediate use New Employee Individual’s learning journey……

15. Government Opportunity • Increase productivity and effectiveness • Enhance talent management initiatives • Employee satisfaction • Retention • Maximize training investment

16. Government Applications • Learning spaces • Learning communities-Platform • Networking – Knowledge communities • Microtraining • Social Media tools

17. An Effective Way of Learning An effective way of learning

18. Microtraining • Microtraining is a smart way of conveying information between people in only 15-30 minutes. • Microtraining is a time-saving method for sharing knowledge and using the expertise of everyone in the organization. • Microtraining provides an informal way of learning and works as an updater and knowledge enhancer.

19. Microtraining-Learning Principles • Support of informal learning processes • Focus is on the participants • Encouragement of active learning

20. Active start (3 min) Exercise(6 min) Discussion (4 min) How to continue (2 min) How Does it Work? A Microtraining session is a short gathering of about 15-30 minutes, which is structured in the following way:

21. A Microtraining Cycle Main topic Sub-topic sessions Closure session Introduction session etc. • A Microtraining cycle consists of several sessions focusing on sub-topics with which the complete topic can be covered. • The introduction session is designed to get the discussion started. • The closure session connects to the next cycle of sessions focusing on a new topic.

22. How Do You Do IT? • - Communicate the goal of the session. • Start with a mental activity e.g. thinking, reflecting, organizing • and comparing. Active start (3 min) • Connect with different learning styles by using a combination • of pictures, sounds and text. • Stimulate the learning process by giving concrete examples. Exercise(6 min) • - Let the participants ask questions. • - Ensure effective, direct and positive feedback. • Stimulate both discussion and knowledge sharing between participants. • Check if all participants really understand the content by asking questions. Discussion (4 min) • What are the topics we will discuss during the next meeting(s)? • Discuss how to retain the knowledge. • Stimulate involvement and ensure participants leave with a clear goal. How to continue (2 min)

23. Techniques Used in Microtraining Questionnaires / fill-in forms Role plays Exercises Brainstorming Presentation

24. Microtraining Benefits • Improves learning and productivity • It stimulates collaboration between colleagues and departments • It is using (and demonstrating ) the organization’s learning potential

25. Microtraining - Getting Started • Learning skills audit • Determine how Microtraining will enhance your learning strategy • Initiate Microtraining cycle • An outside coach may be required

26. Developing Informal Learning Strategy

27. Informal Learning Strategy • You can’t implement Informal Learning – it’s already happening • What you can do is support Informal Learning in Government

28. Informal Learning Strategy Top Management Support Strong support for creating a learning organization How do people learn to achieve their goals in Government? Learning Audit Mix of Formal and Informal Learning Blended Learning Strategy Enhance the learning conversation. Measure outcomes -productivity enhancements Informal Learning Support

29. What We Do

30. How We Do It? • Advice and Consultancy • Develop your informal learning strategy • Learning audit – Including learning styles evaluation • Innovation application of Social Media tools • Learning Workshops • Curriculum of workshops to enhance employee learning skills • Informal Learning Resource • Best practices • Tracking and reporting • Success metrics

31. Business Case • Productivity improvement • Satisfied employees

32. The Road Ahead Learn From Others. territory

33. Considerations Productivity People Technology

34. Summary How are you enhancing Informal Learning in your organization?