Formal Learning - what matters to learners
Please define ‘Formal Learning’
Any intentional learning outside the flow of work could be defined as formal learning. It could mean attending a workshop, a conference, a seminar, joining an expert group or listening to a roundtable of industry luminaries. People participate in formal learning (Course, class, conference, workshop) for a host of different reasons. The reason to join could range from getting certified and credentialed to just curiosity that drives someone to sign up. Sometimes the client asks the consultant a question that could expose a knowledge gap. That may be the trigger to go learn something.
“It’s mostly about indulging curiosity and hearing from people whose work I appreciate.”
What do people do ahead of a formal learning class?
Some participants prepare themselves ahead of time. @urbie says, “I like to take long trips. It gets me out of the daily grind and provides ample time for reflection on what I’d like to learn. I also like exploring small town architecture. It helps break the ice with folk I don’t know when I arrive at the venue.”
Some say (on condition of anonymity) that they check out the “menu and venue”. Some like to research the speakers and look at their videos online or read the speaker’s blogs. This helps them build familiarity and a sort of emotional bond with the speakers. For working
“If I’m familiar with the presenter and it’s someone I admire and respect, then I’ll seek out formal learning in any way it’s offered.”
Ways participants assess the value of formal learning?
Assessing the return on investment is on everyone’s mind. There is the return on the money spent. But the adult learners also agonise about the return on the time spent. They want to assess the value of the learning experience and assess if they had fun while learning something. That learning could be something that they can implement at their place of work. Can they help others do something better as a result of what they have learned. Does the learning change someone’s worldview? Does it spark their curiosity to pursue learning more about the topic?
The social bonds built during the learning experience is often not leveraged enough. Participants really care if they built deep long lasting bonds with other participants or the facilitator.
The aftertaste of learning
Some of the most powerful learning events create a permanent spot in one’s mind. Sometimes we think about the experience weeks, months and years after the formal event was closed. The insights become part of our own repertoire. The relationships built can form bonds that last a lifetime. The best learning experiences change not just the information stack or the skills we have. It changes who we are as people.
Who do I WANT to learn from
The six year old startup Masterclass grew 1000% in 2021. Founder David Rogier added over 30 new offerings from celebs like singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, bestselling author Amy Tan, Serena Williams, anthropologist Jane Goodall.
Have we changed how we expect learning to be offered as an experience instead of just being transfer of content? I would use a parallel with entertainment. During the pandemic, people got used to watching the latest Hollywood releases at home instead of going to the studio. This is the Netflix moment in learning. The person teaching the Masterclass must really be the Master of the profession.
If I have to learn about film-making why not learn from a person whose work I have admired. If I have a chance to learn film-making from Martin Scorcese then that is something I look forward to.
Online learning is usually a shoddy experience with patchy network connections, noisy backdrops and a plain vanilla zoom webinar, it is not exactly the most endearing experience. This is just the insight that Masterclass has leveraged.
The working professionals don’t just want to learn from just about anyone. They want to learn from someone who they can look up to. It is not about learning from anyone, but learning from a specific person whose craft I admire. Learning tennis from Serena Williams is not the same as learning from any odd tennis coach. Working professionals want to learn from people who they see as the Masters of the skills they are teaching. That combined with Hollywood style production values is the attraction.
Learning must come from a pull that the learner feels. The pandemic simply made it easy to get access to the experts. Learning happens when curious learners find the Masters.
“It’s a combination of celebrity faculty, Hollywood-caliber productions, compelling class trailers, and a pandemic-driven thirst for virtual learning ”
Check out the #lrnchat hashtag on Twitter every Friday morning at 6am IST for awesome conversations. The questions and some of the responses are from today’s #lrnchat
If you want to know about Informal Learning, here is something you will enjoy. If you want to chat, drop me an email at abhijitbhaduri@live.com