Informal Learning Practices

Exploring the Icebergs of Adult Learning: Findings of the First Canadian Survey of Informal Learning Practices (pdf)
Excellent overview of informal learning, including workable definitions, and the results of the study are fascinating:

"This paper summarizes the first large-scale, country-wide survey of the informal learning activities of Canadian adults (N=1562) which was conducted in 1998. After defining informal learning and briefly reviewing prior studies, the major findings on Canadian adults' schooling and current participation in both further education courses and informal learning activities related to employment, housework, community work and general interests are presented. According to their self-reports, Canadians are now averaging about 15 hours a week in informal learning activities--regardless of prior schooling or current further education involvement."

This also reminds me that I've had Jay Cross's excellent article What is Informal Learning? saved in my bloglines account for a whole month already. It's full of gems like this:

"Informal learning and formal learning are at opposite ends of the learning spectrum. Informal learning is the unofficial, unscheduled, impromptu way most people learn to do their jobs. Informal learning is like riding a bicycle: the rider chooses the destination and the route. The cyclist can take a detour at a moment’s notice to admire the scenery or help a fellow rider."