This document discusses lifelong learning and learning in the workplace. It notes that most adult learning takes place informally through interactions with others rather than formal classroom settings. It provides resources to support informal learning including free online courses and materials from OpenLearn, FutureLearn, and OpenLearn Create. A short course on the OpenLearn site provides ideas for supporting informal study groups in the workplace using these open resources.

1. Learning together in the
workplace
pete.cannell@open.ac.uk:
Inverness, 16 June 2017

2. Agenda
1. Adult learning
2. Learning throughout
life
3. Learning in the
workplace
4. Resources to support
1, 2 and 3
Long_lifelearning by Mkh2014
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commo
ns/9/98/Longlife_learning.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0

3. Lifelong learning
Lifelong Learning by Denise Krebs
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/10191190673 CC BY 2.0

4. But often what’s valued is:
 Formal
 Exams
 Accredited
 Classroom based
 Age restricted
Writing Exams by CCarlstead
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cristic/359572656 CC
BY 2.0

5. Informal learning
Google logo CC0
What do we mean by
informal?
Often not recognised or
valued, but it’s where most
adult learning takes place
Learning is:
personal, scary, rewarding, …
We learn from and with –
friends, workmates, family …

6. Places where you can find free
courses and learning materials
OpenLearn
FutureLearn
OpenLearn
Create

7. Using free online resources
Supporting collective learning in workplace and
community settings www.open.edu/openlearncreate/supporting-
collective-learning

8. Links to useful sites
 OpenLearn – www.open.edu/openlearn/
 OpenLearn Create – www.open.edu/openlearncreate/
 FutureLearn – www.futurelearn.com
 Learning more and examples of using these resources
in the workplace
www.open.edu/openlearncreate/supporting-collective-
learning A short course full of ideas about how to
support informal study groups in the workplace