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Informal Learning Insight of the Week: Recognizing Informal Learning with “Badges”

For those looking for ways to recognize informal learning, consider “badges,” which recognize learners for participation in informal learning events, helping other learners, and similar types of learning tasks. Many online learning providers, such as online universities, nonprofit learning sites, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) provicers already use badges or a similar systems of recognition. 

To learn more, visit  'Badges' Earned Online Pose Challenge to Traditional College Diplomas by Jeffrey R. Young in the Chronicle of Higher Education online at http://chronicle.com/article/Badges-Earned-Online-Pose/130241/.

Informal Learning Insight of the Week: Osmosis Is Not On-the-Job Training

In a recent column in the New York Times, entrepreneur Paul Downs admits that he failed to train people:

“At that moment, output was much more important than training. I was putting a lot of pressure on my cadre of experienced workers to get jobs out the door — and at the same time dumping a crew of inexperienced warm bodies on them.

“I told the old heads to train the new people, but I didn’t relieve anyone of their production responsibilities. And I didn’t put a single person in charge of training. “

Later, he admits:

“Frankly, I was stupid, and I was setting up all of us for failure.”

Yes—even on-the-job training needs some level of oversight. 

Tip:  See Chapter 4 of Informal Learning Basics for some guidance on how to avoid this trap.

(To see the entire column, visit http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/figuring-out-a-better-way-to-train-employees/?src=recg).