Informal learning of social workers: a method of narrative inquiry

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate social workers' processes of informal learning, through their narration of their professional experience, in order to understand how social workers learn. Informal learning is any individual practice or activity that is able to produce continuous learning; it is often non-intentional and non-structured learning. Design/methodology/approach -The study employed qualitative research methods, according to specific epistemologies such as Grounded Theory, and Inquiry into Narrative. The tool used for data collection has been the narrative interview. The scientific software ATLAS.ti has facilitated the analysis of the contents and the narrative structure. Findings -The data classified throughout the analysis allow for observing and explaining possible interpretations of informal learning of the social workers. The informal learning process, depending on the level of intentionality, can be random and often appears as a learning process leading to change and improvement, resulting from reflection and awareness. Originality/value -The paper offers a methodological contribution for narrative data collection and analysis, through elaborating a network of all elements examined within each interview and defining some characteristics and meaning of informal learning in the workplace.

Learning on the fly: exploring the informal learning process of aviation instructors

“…Studies on informal learning examined learners from varied organizational settings reflective of business, industry, healthcare, education, and other professional contexts (Cheetham and Chivers, 2001;Gola, 2009;Lohman, 2000Lohman, , 2006McNally et al, 2009;Watkins and Cervero, 2000). Yet, given the importance of informal learning as a critical process in the development of professional knowledge and expertise, scholars indicated that other professions need to be examined to capture variation in worker characteristics and environments (Goldman et al, 2009;Lohman, 2006).…”

Informal Team Learning: A Case Study in Knowledge-Intensive Settings

“…Informal learning started as a part of psychological studies, based on a view that people can do things without going to formal classes (Gola, 2009). The implementation had been studied in educational institutions and corporations.…”

“…It has been studied to professionals in UK (Cheetham & Chivers, 2001) and, specifically, bankers in London (Chivers, 2010) that showed that most of the works improved by informal and incidental learning, and only a few from formal learning. In non-profit organizations, a study on social workers in Italy showed that informal learning was done in individual level (Gola, 2009). And Informal learning had also been studied in specific business situations such as restructuring, merger, and downsizing (Reardon, 2004).…”

Considerations on Informal Learning: Different Concepts and Their Dimensions

“…Some authors identify informal learning as self-directed learning (Livingstone, 2001;Tough, 2002) or experiential learning (Gola, 2009). Schugurensky (2000) provides typology of informal learning based on the two main categories: learning intentionality and conscience.…”