A KNOWLEDGE BASED PLATFORM TO SUPPORT INFORMAL LEARNING IN DO-IT-YOURSELF RETAIL STORES

Heide Lukosch, Pieter De Vries

2011

Abstract

This paper is about an innovative approach to informal, workplace related learning in do-it-yourself retail stores. Most organizations ignore informal learning as a strategic tool, although this kind of learning dominates the workplace in many organizations. The objective of the project described here was to facilitate informal learning practices by the sales people on the work floor with an easy to use knowledge platform. The platform should be structured in line with current learning concepts, the specific target group and organizational requirements. An existing knowledge platform was upgraded in this sense to better serve the informal learning activities using a semantic approach and Microtraining, a didactical concept for structuring short learning sessions. This platform has been tested in practice in the retail stores. The outcome of the project shows that using the knowledge platform can indeed strengthen the advisory services of the employees. The semantic web as well as the Microtraining approach enhanced the usability of the platform and fostered self-directed learning, understood as an important component of informal learning practices.

References

  1. Cross, J., 2007. Informal Learning: Rediscovering the Natural Pathways that Inspire Innovation and Performance. Pfeiffer , San Francisco.
  2. De Vries, P., 2005. An Analysis Framework Approach for Managing Corporate E-learning Development. Brussels: De Vries. Doctoral dissertation.
  3. De Vries, P. & Brall, S., 2008. Microtraining as a Support Mechanism for Informal Learning. In: eLearning Papers Nº 11, November 2008 , pp. 1-9.
  4. De Vries, P. & Leege. T., 2008. Final Report WP 1: Baumärkte und Lernen: eine Bedarfsanalyse. RELOAD project. DE/07/LLP-LdV/TOI/147058. Leonardo Project European Union.
  5. De Vries, P. & Lukosch, H., 2009. Supporting Informal Learning at the Workplace. In IJAC, International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, on: ww.ijac.org, (International E-Learning Association/ International Association of Online Engineering).
  6. Granovetter, Mark, 1983. The Strength of Weak Ties: A Network Theory Revisited. Sociological Theory, Vol. 1, pp. 201-233.
  7. Janowicz-Panjaitan, M./Noorderhaven, N., 2008. Formal and informal interorganizational learning within strategic alliances, in: Research Policy Volume 37, Issue 8, September 2008, pp 1337-1355.
  8. Jonassen, D., Mayes, T., & McAleese, R., 1993. A manifesto for a constructivist approach to uses of technology in higher education. In T.M. Duffy, J. Lowyck, & D. H. Jonassen (Eds.), Designing environments for constructive learning (pp. 231-247), Heidelberg.
  9. Jonassen, D. H., 1997. Instructional Design Models for Well-Structured and Ill-Structured Problem-Solving Learning Outcomes. In: Educational Technology Research and Development 45 (1): 65-94.
  10. Lukosch, H. & De Vries, P., 2009. Mechanisms to support Informal Learning at the Workplace. In: Proceedings of ICELW'09, The International Conference on ELearning at the Workplace. New York.
  11. Overschie, M., 2007. Microteaching Manual: Effective transfer of knowledge for Sustainable Technological Innovation. On http://www.microteaching.org.
  12. Rosenberg, Marc, 2006. Beyond E-Learning. Approaches and Technologies to enhance Organizational Knowledge, Learning, and Performance. Pfeiffer.
  13. Siemens, G., 2005. Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Vol. 2, No 1.
  14. Siemens, G., 2006. Knowing Knowledge. Lulu Publishers (www.lulu.com).
  15. Tynjälä, P., 2008. Perspectives into learning at the workplace. In: Educational Research Review Volume 3, Issue 2, 2008, pp 130-154.
  16. Vygotsky, L. S., 1978. Mind and society: The development of higher mental processes, Cambridge, MA.
  17. Weistra, H., 2005. Leerenergie en de voorwaarden voor (in) formeel leren. In: Opleiding en Ontwikkeling. Oct. 2005, pp 17-21.
  18. Wenger, E., 1998. 'Communities of Practice. Learning as a social system', Systems Thinker, http://www.co-il.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/lss.shtml.
  19. Wertsch, James V., 1987. Vygotski and the formation of the mind. Cambridge.
Download


Paper Citation


in Harvard Style

Lukosch H. and De Vries P. (2011). A KNOWLEDGE BASED PLATFORM TO SUPPORT INFORMAL LEARNING IN DO-IT-YOURSELF RETAIL STORES . In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-8425-49-2, pages 252-257. DOI: 10.5220/0003337302520257


in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu11,
author={Heide Lukosch and Pieter De Vries},
title={A KNOWLEDGE BASED PLATFORM TO SUPPORT INFORMAL LEARNING IN DO-IT-YOURSELF RETAIL STORES},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2011},
pages={252-257},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0003337302520257},
isbn={978-989-8425-49-2},
}


in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - A KNOWLEDGE BASED PLATFORM TO SUPPORT INFORMAL LEARNING IN DO-IT-YOURSELF RETAIL STORES
SN - 978-989-8425-49-2
AU - Lukosch H.
AU - De Vries P.
PY - 2011
SP - 252
EP - 257
DO - 10.5220/0003337302520257