The Job is the Learning Environment

1. The Job is the Learning Environment Noel Dickover Human Performance Technology Consultant http://www.perform-learn.com

2. Work Environment Changes • Need for improved worker performance • Many tasks complex, non-repeatable • Tasks involve finding answers to complex questions, identifying and solving unique problems • People referred to as knowledge workers

3. The Job is Where the Learning Occurs • As much as 85% if all learning occurs on the job (Raybould, 2000) • Learning occurs when solving problems and attempting to perform tasks • Learning occurs best when doing real work or taking action

4. Independent Learning Approaches Are Problematic • Follows a Learn-Then-Do Methodology • Trainer-centered not user-centered • Often sequential in format, hard to quickly find key information • Removed from the work context • Retention of material is low

5. “People Learn While Doing Things”

6. Constructivism: How Do We Support Learning? • Use rich environments • Use Multiple Perspectives • Encourage learning throughsocial experience • Include experience with the knowledge construction process • Use realistic and relevant contexts

7. “The Job Is the Learning Environment”

8. Current Approaches • JIT Learning Approaches • Repurpose independent learning modules • Content seen as discrete piles of unrelated “chunks” to be served up • Performance Support Systems • Good for Discrete Tasks, Not as applicable for Fuzzy, context specific Tasks • Knowledge Management • Requires Searching skills • Hard to get contributions

9. “We need to rethink the way we support learning in the workplace” Collaboration Knowledge Assets Performance Support Tools User-Centered Learning Content

10. What is Performance Centered Learning? • Optimized for access while in the process of performing • People use it at that moment of need, when they are trying to solve a problem or perform a task • Learning occurs in the process of doing, but the goal is performance • Not for certification, there is no grade

11. Performance Centered Learning (PCL) Integrates: • Practitioner developed knowledge assets • Performance supporttools • User-centered learning content • Collaboration among peers and experts

12. Learn-Then-Do vs Learning-While-Doing

13. Implementation of PCL:Tie to Knowledge Domains • Allows us to tie content in a way that makes sense to knowledge workers • Allows a group of people to coalesce around the motivating area • Leverages shared experiences, similar problems and tasks

14. Knowledge Domains Include: • Semantic Map of Inter-related concepts • History of events • Identified skill sets and job roles • Knowledge artifacts, including: • Guidance documents (policies) • examples, templates, lessons learned, • success stories, failures • Implementation guidance

15. PCL Relates the “Chunks” of Information in the Domain • Use pair-wise comparison techniques to link together knowledge domain concepts • Content is organized around the problems, questions and tasks • The relationship structure providesthe context

16. What is Question-based Reasoning (QBR)? • Navigation method for PCL • Approach for linking knowledge assets, learning content and performance support tools for just-in-time access • SME’s view of the knowledge domain is embedded into the hypertext structure • Support tool to help people work through tasks and problems • Allows content to be structured for re-use

17. What’s the Problem that QBR solves? • Complex situations are impossible to describe through a single perspective • QBR provides a learner-centered approach for navigating through a knowledge domain • Details a set of relations between complex material in a non-linear format • Turns referential information into a useful learning scaffold • Leverages learner’s existing background/ experience

18. QBR Allows us to Traverse the Knowledge Domain

19. “You are as smart as who and what you are connected to.”

20. Example: Risk Management Focus Area of the PM CoP • Program Manager’s Community of Practice (PM CoP) for the DoD Acquisition Workforce • Risk Management is important in development of large scale systems • Includes KM ideas of Communities of Practice (CoPs)

21. Risk Management Approach:Performance Centered Learning • Integration of learning, performance support, and knowledge resources • Access to SMEs, collaboration • Integrated into the job of the PM and risk manager based on problems and tasks • Becomes a resource that CoPs can use to foster community growth

22. Back-end Tool Integration Add-it Story- Boarding Tool Pair-wise Comparison Tool ExtractsContent OrganizesContent AssociatesContent Performance Centered Learning Database Driven Content

23. Data Methods Learning Object Integration with the ADL Initiative • Use of Learning Object Repository • Connect Learning Objects via QBR to make Knowledge Maps • Can be accessed on the job or exported to independent learning modes • Content is reusable for other groups • Relationship structure managed separately from the content

24. Concluding Thoughts • The Job is the learning environment • Marshall all resources to the moment of need • Learning-While-Doing vice Learn-Then-Do • Collaboration and Community Building critical to success

25. Concluding Thoughts cont. • Focus on the problems, tasks and questions associated with performance • Integrate practitioner developed knowledge assets and performance support tools with user-centered learning content • Employ Performance-Centered Design

26. Backups

27. Andragogy:How Do Adults Learn? • Need to know why they are learning it • Adults are Self-directed in their learning • Experience serves as guide for learning • Problem-centered, not subject centered • Learning Motivated by internal factors • More interested in real world tasks

28. Learning Object RepositorySlides

29. Data Methods Learning Object Manage Content Via Learning Objects • Learning Objects are self-contained, actionable chunks of information • They are made up of data (content) and methods (procedures or actions) • They can be combined in many ways to create larger “chunks” of information • Examples: Risk Assessment; Determination of Mission Needs; Independent Cost Estimate

30. Learning Object Data Methods What’s do Learning Objects Contain? • Data (Managed Content) • Summary • Learning Content (paragraph and Vu-graph format) • Performance Objectives • Assessment Strategies • Links to Related Examples • Methods (Content Actions) • Version Control • Update Function • Publish Function • Publish to SCORM Standard • Publish to In-Class Courseware • Give Examples, success stories, etc. • Direct Export to XML

31. How do Learning Objects Work? Keeps track of all updates Can Export To Templates (SCORM, In-Class Books) Version Control • Data • Performance Objectives • Content • Vu-Graphs, Paragraphs • Blooms Levels • Graphics • Related Examples • Case Studies • Success Stories • Best Practices • Defined Information Owner Change Content Publish Me! DAU Faculty Maintains Content Links to Related Examples, Stories Provide Examples

32. LO LO LO LO Knowledge Maps Connect Reusable LOs for Export and Use Knowledge Maps L.O. Repository Job Role Task Function Acq. Process Sequence

33. PMCOP and Risk Management Focus Area

34. The PMs Environment CONGRESS EXECUTIVE ALLIES PM MEDIA LEGAL PUBLIC INDUSTRY

35. PM CoP FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT DIAGRAM Strategic Support Process Reengineering New Work Methods Virtual IPT Support Threaded Discussions Project Workspace Calendar of Events Access to Experts Generation of New Knowledge Collaboration and Solutions Environment Performance Support System Knowledge Retrieval System Knowledge Capture Job Aids User-centered Content Support Tools Access to Experts Verity Search Engine Evaluate Browse Knowledge File Linkages Lessons Learned Case Studies Success Stories Best Practices

36. Program Offices Program Office Program Office Program Office Network Centric View Industry Other Govt. Personnel PM Community of Practice Other Industry Govt. Knowledge Assets Acquisition Related Websites DAU Learning Assets

37. PM CoP Architecture PM Community Graphic User Interface Risk Mgt. Sys. Eng. Contract Mgt. Earned Value Mgt. Software Acq. Mgt. Cold Fusion 4.5 Lotus QuickPlace Verity Knowledge Engine SQL Server 7.0 Intelligent Classifier