I am curious what you opinion is? I have seen some interesting information around large ROI's using Informanl Learning. I have heard Josh Bersin and his strong opinion about the usefulness of Informal Learning. I was wondering what you opinion is. I am anxiously awaiting an upcoming free webinar on the topic, but would like your input and your experinces with informal learning.

I would expect people spend a much greater percentage of their time learning informally than learning formally. I'd love to see a study showing the amount, but a factor of ten or twenty times seems to be a good minimum. As a consequence, we, as T&D professionals have an opportunity to help facilitate this learning. How will we do it?

I would also venture to say that we would be better off encouraging more informal learning in the P-20 sector. This would also help grow lifelong learners.

When it comes to ROI, I think the numbers will be at best "ballpark". I am not sure how to judge the amount of actual monetary gain I got from reading these discussion boards today. It might take a year or two to see return on today's time. When that day comes, I will not likely be able to point to today's activities as the source of my thoughts or actions.

It is a famous saying that "experience is the best teacher, but if you can take it second hand the tuition is less." We are the products of our informal learning. How do we compare one who learns more to one who learns less in a numerical, ROI sort of way?

Jay Cross has some wonderful articles on the value of informal learning. Just google him.

I am just beginning a project to research our roadmap and informal learning is one of the items on my list to include. While it is something everyone has leveraged it's importance is growing due to our economic situation. Less people can afford formal training. I am especially interested in how we can couple formal training content with informal training methods, especially if a means of capturing input from the target audience is included. What free webinsar are you awaiting?

Check out Tony Karrer's blog, r_boyd_stl. It is elearningtech.blogspot.com He addresses that and other related issues.