The Importance of Informal Learning

When it comes to learning, most of today’s technology and methodology is centered around formal programs. This can include an elearning initiative at a company, curriculum for live classroom training, and everything in between.

In fact, every single one of the consulting projects I participated in was for formal learning.

We had a predefined time frame for delivering the content and measuring the results. The online and live training sessions were structured in such a way that we could see the impact of the content and the changes that it produced.

But as many of us know, not all learning is formal. Often there is more learning done in an informal manner.

The trouble with informal learning is that it can be difficult to measure – if at all. However, it is also possible for informal learning to have a more significant impact on organizational performance.