Informal learning (I ignored the "p-word" if gives me a rash. It should be abolished): "In recent posts I have talked about the power of informal learning, and wondered why learning professionals conspicuously ignore the potential for performance improvement that it offers. Now that the kind of human interactions that make informal learning so effective are being facilitated by the Internet, the relevance and impact of formal training may diminish even further. Do we as learning professionals stand by and watch our empires get sidelined, or do we try to take a leading role in defining and refining emerging learning paradigms?"
Comment: Informal and formal learning are viewed as opposites (or at least in conflict with each other). Several recent discussions have suggested that perhaps reading a series of 30 - 40 top management books is a more effective approach than getting an MBA. I think there is a balance of formal/informal learning. Each has a place. Context and need should drive which one is utilized. One of the opportunities for formal education is to find ways to increase delivery of formal learning via informal channels.