Formalizing the informal. A contribution by Dennis Callahan

I’m responding to the Ecollab’s question – “can we formalize the informal?”

Yes, you can formalize informal learning. Formalizing informal learning doesn’t mean that informal learning now becomes formal learning.   It means that somebody has put thought and effort into creating conditions that help informal learning thrive.  Here are a few examples of formalizing informal learning:

• Providing tools (e.g., wiki, blog, microblog) for people to share knowledge
• Provide learning for how to use these tools for sharing
• Creating an OJT guide that describes events that someone must experience as part of their learning (e.g., going on a sales call with a sales representative)
• Developing a mentoring program
• Facilitating a working session on helping customers solve a real business problem

So, we can formalize informal…but should we?  If there is a skill or knowledge gap that is deemed critical to your business goals and formalizing informal learning will help meet these goals, then yes.

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