Informal and Social Learning

• Published in: The Really Useful ELearning Instruction Manual pp. 107 - 123
• Main Author: Hubbard, Rob
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Center for Creative Leadership 2013; Wiley; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Business & management; collaborative organizations; elearning; formal training; Informal learning; social learning; social media; workforce development framework
• ISBN: 1118375890; 9781118375891
• DOI: 10.1002/9781118375860.ch7

Almost 80% or more of the learning that takes place in the workplace is informal. In addition, formal learning involves learning through courses, classes, and other training or educational events, whereas informal learning happens when carrying out daily tasks as one does one's job. Informal learning happens naturally and continuously every day—sometimes intentionally and sometimes even unconsciously. Moreover, informal learning is both a personal as well as a social endeavour, and in fact, social media is now playing an increasingly important role in the way that many people learn informally. Social learning is learning with and from others. One has always learned socially from one another, and continues to do so, on a constant basis in one's personal and professional lives. Social learning frequently occurs when one connects, converses, co‐create content, collaborates, share knowledge and experiences, and is part of a community or network. In addition to the fact that most learning happens informally and continuously in the workplace, it is important to value it and to focus more on supporting it.