The Role of Technology in Adult Learning and Development in

Organization

Candace ChouUniversity of St. Thomasccchou@stthomas.edu

SlideURL:http://tinyurl.com/yzlhtp5

Outline

• Framework• Formal vs. informal learning• Examples• Trends

Formal Learning

Informal Learning

What is your definition of formal learning?

What is your definition of informal learning?

Photo credit: Jay Cross

Learning and Retention

NTL Institute “Retention Rates from Different Ways of Learning” (2000)

Learning and Retention

NTL Institute. (2000). Retention Rates from Different Ways of Learning.

Impact of Performance Mastery on Learning Strategies

Common Learning Needs Unique Learning NeedsCommon Learning Needs Unique Learning Needs

Common Curricula (Program Driven) Personalized Learning (Performer driven)Common Curricula (Program Driven) Personalized Learning (Performer driven)

Novice Competent Experienced Master/Expert

More Formal, Structured Training More informal, on-the-job learningMore Formal, Structured Training More informal, on-the-job learning

Classroom & Online learning KM, Collaboration & Performance SupportClassroom & Online learning KM, Collaboration & Performance Support

Training Practice, Coaching

Access to Knowledge & performance resources

Collaboration and problem solving

STRTAGY

E-Learning Hierarchy

http://udutu.com

What social media do you use?

Social Media for Organization Learning

The “Conversation Prism” (Brian Solis)

Benefits of Social Media

• Share information across more channels and provide better service delivery.

• Collaborate on a larger scale – build online communities.

• View learners as partners and co-creators, not just as recipients.

• Break down the walled gardens - make learning more searchable

• Reach a new generation of Digital Natives.

From John Wooden’s presentation

Personal Learning Environment

LMS PLE• Learner as consumer

of learning materials• Learner as “prosumer”

active in the creation of content

• Minimal personalization

• Learning opportunities and resources filtered by the learner’s interests, pushed thru RSS.

• Content comes from domain experts, teachers, etc

• Content comes from a variety of sources

• Minimal collaboration or exchange

• Many opportunities for collaboration, exchange

The % of learning represented by informal learning

Type of informal learning

% Type of formal learning

%

Experiencing on the job

45% Workshops 10%

Networking 30% Training programs 8%Mentoring & coaching 3% Special assignments 2%Manuals & instructions

2%

Total 80% Total 20%

Source: Atos KPMG Consulting

Where new technology can help informal learning

The traditional way The new technology wayAsk a neighbor Workflow learningSee the boss Search the internet or intranet

to find online knowledge sources

Talk to an expert Email an individualLook at a manual or a book Instant Message or Skype

someoneListen to a podcast Interact with others online via discussion forum

Source: Harrison, 2006

Best Buy

https://mix.blueshirtnation.com/

Target

http://www.thebreakroom.org/index.php

Networked Knowledge

IBM•Academy of Technology Virtual World Conference 2008

•Over 200 members globally

•Initial investment of $80,000

•A saving of $250,000 in travel and venue

•Same virtual venue can be reused

Characteristics of Adult Learners by Knowles

(Zielke, Roome, & Krueger, 2009)

Self ConceptDefinition: As a person matures his/her self concept moves from one of being a dependent personality toward one of being a self-directed human being

Virtual Words• Being able to learn independently of aninstructor or mentor.• Setting own pace for learning.

ExperienceDefinition: As a person matures, s/he accumulates life experiences to use as a learning resource

Virtual Worlds•Comparing novel topics to be learned with“common knowledge.”•Environment that allows sharing acquiredknowledge with others.

Readiness to Learn

Definition: As a person matures, s/he is ready to learn relevant skills andknowledge oriented toward the developmental tasks of his social roles.

Virtual Worlds• Seeing the use of learning a skill in its immediate application.• Choosing what to add to virtual-world inventory.

Orientation to LearningDefinition: As a person matures, s/he becomes less interested in acquiring knowledge for future use, and is more likely to learn in order to solve problems.

Virtual Worlds• Viewing practice opportunities as problem solving.• Immediate application of material to be learned.

MotivationDefinition: As a person matures, s/he operates more from a sense of internal motivation rather than for external rewards.

Virtual Worlds• Entering voluntarily into a virtual world.• Determining start/stop points.• Checking own progress, and re-learning if needed.

A Day in the Life of a College Professor

Twitter

Tweet My Jobs

Class Calendar

Social Calendar

Del.icio.us

Del.icio.us Tags

Class Wiki

Communities of Practice (Wiki)

Video-Conferencing

Google Docs

Google Docs (Survey)

Technology Trends

• Mobile• Cloud Computing• Geo-everything• Personal Web • Semantic-Aware applications• Smart objects

– The Horizon Report 2009

Mobile Learning

• Tutorial, assessment, surveys, podcasts, eBooks, performance support, job aids…

• Mobile Augumented Reality Browser

Cloud Computing

Graphic: wikipedia

Geo-everything

Personal Web

Semantic-Aware Applications

Smart objects

Learning Trend 1

• Increasing globalization continues to affect the way we work, collaborate, and communicate.

The Horizon Report 2009

Learning Trend 2

• The notion of collective intelligence is redefining how we think about ambiguity and imprecision.

Learning Trend 3• Experience with and affinity for games as

learning tools is an increasingly universal characteristic among those entering higher education and the workforce.

Learning Trend 4

• Visualization tools are making information more meaningful and insights more intuitive.

Learning Trend 5

As more than one billion phones are produced each year, mobile phones are benefiting from unprecedented innovation, driven by global competition.

Other Trends?

References

• The Horizon report 2009, http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/• Harrison, M. (2006). 13 Ways of Managing Informal Learning. from

http://www.kineo.com/• NTL Institute. (2000). Retention Rates from Different Ways of

Learning. Retrieved Nov. 9, 2009, from http://www.cofc.edu/bellsandwhistles/research/retentionmodel.html

• Smith, M. K. (2002). Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and andragogy from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-knowl.htm

• Zielke, M. A., Roome, T. C., & Krueger, A. B. (April 2009). A Composite Adult Learning Model for Virtual World Residents with Disabilities: A Case Study of the Virtual Ability Second Life® Island [Electronic Version]. Journal of Virtual Worlds Research, 2(1). Retrieved April 17, 2009 from http://jvwresearch.org/.