A Great Example of Informal Learning
I’ve talked about informal learning in the past, however I have stumbled across an example that training departments for larger organizations can take advantage of. The concept is simply making available a program that you very likely already qualify for. The cost is zero, and the effort on your part is minimal.
The program I speak about is the Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP). Typically the IT department doesn’t promote the benefits of being a volume licenser from Microsoft, however buried inside the program benefits is the option of extending this license to employees through the program by providing Microsoft Office for around $10 USD each.
So how is this informal learning you may ask? Well, it may very well be your responsibility to perform software training in your organization. By offering Microsoft HUP to every employee who has a home PC for $10, a large percentage of employees will take advantage of it, they will use it during off-hours, they will gradually learn the new features, and how to do certain things with the software which they may apply back on the job. Your investment in a little promotion of the program can pay off in the form of a more knowledgeable and skilled employee.
Ask your IT department if you qualify for the program. It really is a win-win-win scenario. Your organization wins by not having to build or purchase elaborate Microsoft training, you win because you have provided a training method, and of course the employee wins by getting really cheap software and upgraded skills.
To learn more, the program website is here.
The program I speak about is the Microsoft Home Use Program (HUP). Typically the IT department doesn’t promote the benefits of being a volume licenser from Microsoft, however buried inside the program benefits is the option of extending this license to employees through the program by providing Microsoft Office for around $10 USD each.So how is this informal learning you may ask? Well, it may very well be your responsibility to perform software training in your organization. By offering Microsoft HUP to every employee who has a home PC for $10, a large percentage of employees will take advantage of it, they will use it during off-hours, they will gradually learn the new features, and how to do certain things with the software which they may apply back on the job. Your investment in a little promotion of the program can pay off in the form of a more knowledgeable and skilled employee.
Ask your IT department if you qualify for the program. It really is a win-win-win scenario. Your organization wins by not having to build or purchase elaborate Microsoft training, you win because you have provided a training method, and of course the employee wins by getting really cheap software and upgraded skills.
To learn more, the program website is here.
