What is workplace learning werkplekleren? A lot of people have come to know it as online learning or distance education. But the truth is that, the concept of workplace learning encompasses a lot of things. These include classroom learning, such as in school, university, and colleges; practical learning, such as in trade schools; and computer-based learning, such as with the use of software designed for such purposes. However, one thing that all three types share is that they involve the participation of learners and teachers who are either physically in the same room or remotely.
The definition of workplace learning has been defined as ‘learning activity that encourages interaction between and among employees, that can take place in the workplace and between the employee and his / her supervisor’. This means that learning can be formal training or informal learning. Informal learning, such as what takes place during seminars or workshops, is considered to be beneficial because it helps employees improve their knowledge and skills. Formal training on the other hand, such as what happens in corporate training centers, is considered as beneficial for the companies since it helps them increase productivity, lower costs, and provide employees with an opportunity to improve their skills. All of this leads to a situation where employees enjoy learning, while the employers enjoy improved productivity and lowered costs.
If workplace learning refers to the informal learning that takes place during seminars or workshops, then it can be considered the more effective type. Why is this so? Simple. Informal learning tends to involve an interaction between employees and trainers, unlike the classroom-type training that happens in a single classroom or place. Because of this, informal learning leads to self-improvement, and this is what the whole objective of workplace productivity is – to improve the company’s performance and profit in terms of both productiveness and profitability.
This is also the reason why workplace learning has been used so effectively in training companies that are trying to make sure that their employees retain much of the information that they are being taught. Training companies are very interested in increasing the number of learners who are retained within the company itself. With the right classroom-type training programs, many different aspects of the business can be easily understood by any employee who took the class. However, with the informal training programs, employees are more likely to learn certain key aspects of the business from their trainer or manager – and this is what managers are after. After all, if an employee can understand and retain much of the information that is being presented to him, he will know how to effectively use that information whenever he needs to – whether that is during his daily work activities or when he is given a special project or exam.
Workplace productivity is also affected by the type of learning that takes place at a workplace. Some types of learning are better suited for producing higher levels of productivity than others. For example, some studies have shown that group class training exercises are better for increasing workplace productivity than are lectures on the same topic. However, some workplace learning methods have been found to be better for increasing workplace productivity than others. One of these is formal classroom-style learning.
Any workplace learning program should first consult with the human resource department of the company that is organizing and implementing the program to make sure that it will be most effective. It will be important to ensure that any employee who takes part in a learning program feels that he or she is a valuable part of a team, that the course of action is understood and that the program actually moves them closer to fulfilling their goals. After all, many employees will feel motivated to learn if they believe that they are making a difference in their organizations – and this can only be good for business.