Informal Learning has been getting a lot of buzz lately.
Many vendors claim to offer informal learning, or even “informal learning management” without having changed anything beyond the words in their advertising. Read this scathing commentary by Peter Casebow, Jane Hart, and Harold Jarche. It’s time to clear the air.
Informal Learning: Five Ways to Do More with Less
On April 20 at 1:00 pm Eastern, I will be leading a webinar and discussion as part of UMBC’s ISD now! series. 
We’ll be going right back to the basics:
• What is Informal Learning?
• What are the different ways people learn?
• Assess when and where Informal Learning is appropriate
• How do people ‘learn’ their jobs?
• Compelling reasons to invest in Informal Learning
• Examples on how to apply Informal Learning
I plan to describe informal learning already taking place in organizations, often flying beneath the radar. I’ll show the profit potential of improving learning processes already in place. We’ll look at examples of organizations using the web to accelerate learning and spark innovation.
Register here.
The Learners Are Taking Over the Asylum
The next day, Wednesday April 21st at 2:00 pm Eastern, Human Capital Institute is hosting an unrehearsed discussion between Learn.com’s Dave Wilkins and me on more advanced topics.
Organizations that focus on the supply side of the training they provide are looking at the wrong side of the equation. By focusing on the demand side (what learners need) they can facilitate the biggest part of the learning experience-informal learning. While informal learning is spontaneous it is not as informal as it may initially appear. It means orchestrating informal tools to be available in the context of work as it needs to get done. Think of trainer turned into stage manager… their facilitation is more about making tools available than writing content; leaving the learners in charge to create and apply content. This webcast addresses the paradigm shift learning professionals must make to tap the enormous power of informal learning by the organization’s knowledge assets- their people. You’ll discover the advantages of learners taking over without going crazy!
Register here.
