I think it is more useful to think about learning in these four ways, and to ensure that learning solutions and environments consist of all four (where appropriate).
However, the point from yesterday’s post still applies – it’s about creating a portfolio, not managing the percentages. There needs to be an overarching learning strategy too.
The model is also useful for thinking about measurements as I think these need to change in nature for each different form of learning too (whilst again, forming part of one holistic approach to learning measurement).
Moving from formal to informal measures become less quantitative and objective and more qualitative and subjective. This is just because the learning activities we are trying to measure become less tangible, and the relationships between these and the outcomes and impacts we are trying to achieve less direct and more complex.
Similarly moving from individual (or individual within a group) to social, measures become less about something which can be reported, and more about something that has to be discussed – ie more of a basis for conversation.
Incidentally, I was involved in some tweeting about this around the #SDDT unconference (another example of social learning) the week before last (see picture at the top of this post).
I don’t think there is a problem with this – some things are just naturally best measured in qualitative and conversational terms. But of course, there are things you can do to make them more quantitatively measurable and reportable. For example, technology is one big help.
But the type of technology that needs to be used also changes according to the type of learning. Despite some discussion on this, I still believe that the LMS has a vital role in supporting individual, formal learning. I think new media tools like blogging (social media tools which are not of necessity social) probably play an increasingly significant role here, helping to plan and capture the ongoing learning that takes place (a bit like an electronic learning log).
Over on the social side of things, social networking and social learning systems (social learning systems being social networking systems with more focus on learning content etc) are the prime tools.
But again, all of these technologies need to be integrated together as well.
It’s why I’m so pleased that the sponsorship of this blog, previously with Plateau, has been taken over by SuccessFactors, post Plateau’s integration (particularly now SuccessFactors itself is being acquired by SAP which I also do some work for).
Plateau gave SuccessFactors an LMS capability and Jambok and CubeTree, recently integrated as Jam, provide the social media and networking capabilities referred to above. So you can do each separate, and the whole, thing.
This post is sponsored by SuccessFactors.
SuccessFactors provides Business Execution Software solutions that drive outstanding business results in organisations of every size and category. The insights we've gained serving 3,500+ customers with more than 15 million subscribers in 168 countries and 34 languages helps us better serve and grow companies like yours each and every day.
With a customer-focused ethos as our single most important and recognized quality, we have worked to achieve a growth rate 3x that of our nearest competitor. In fact, we’re one of the fastest growing public software companies in the world.
Simply stated, SuccessFactors works every day to help companies just like yours achieve the best possible business results with Business Execution software solutions that incorporate the latest research, the smartest technology, and the most secure systems on the planet.
Contact SuccessFactors here or call +1 800 809 9920 or in the UK +44 8450 742990.
.
.
.
I still think learning is formal, informal and social ... and then it breaks down by individual, team, project and organizational.
ReplyDeleteI'll write more about it in the new year.
All the best Jon. See you at #lwf12 ???
Thanks Dan, I look forward (as always) to more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteRe Learning Without Frontiers - I'll be at the HR Directors Business Summit in Birmingham on the 25th but at Learning Technologies at the Olympia on the 26th - so hopefully, yes!