How informal and nonformal learning with the use of technology has affected learning in my workplace as an Occupational Therapist

This is my first blog ever! This blog was done as a requirement for my current course at OISE:
AEC 1131HS
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development

Informal Learning and the Internet

Schugurensky’s article on informal learning made me aware of the impact of informal learning that has taken place in my work environment. In addition, his article highlighted the non-formal learning which I have also engaged in,during my work experience.

After reading his article, along with the other articles on informal learning, and participating in Cindy and Valentina’s presentation on the topic, I was reminded of how non-formal learning as well as informal learning has changed so dramatically in my workplace due to the impact of technology, most importantly the Internet!

I am an Occupational Therapist(OT) http://www.wfot.org/information.asp and have been working at COTA Health(community OT agency) for the past nine years. I have been working there on a casual basis for the past 4 years.

Recently (2 weeks ago), I just started working in my new position as an OT with seriously injured workers at a large organization. The past few weeks, I have been engaged in an orientation process that involves many courses offered on the company's intranet. Believe it or not, this is new to me. Even when I started my last full-time position at another community agency four years ago, all my non-formal learning was done in a classroom all day and every day for about a month.

In case you are bored and maybe need a break from reading,this video may provide you with some more insight into the role of an occupational therapist:



Would you describe the above video as a type of informal incidental learning (unintentional but concious)?


When I started at COTA nine years ago, we didn’t have a company intranet. Most of my non-formal learning took place in a classroom with other new therapists. The intranet at COTA did not even come into effect until about 5 years ago.

Most of my non-formal learning at the present time in my new job has taken place in the form of required courses on the intranet accessed from my desktop computer. Everything from how to access information regarding benefits and payroll to our mission and vision is taught in the form of demonstrations offered with these online courses. As describe by Schugurensky, my learning over the past two weeks on the intranet at my new workplace has been self directed involving full awareness and intention.

I have also had the opportunity to meet with my new colleagues who have shared valuable information with me in an informal setting(at lunch or on my breaks). This has not been intentional but there is an awareness that I am learning information from more experienced OTs in my workplace on how the job is done and what to expect.


What is interesting to me is comparing the generational gaps and how they learn as I encounter many new OT graduates in my new work environment. For example, I have my 13years of clinical experience where I have exercised professional judgement and knowledge( obtained through experience and courses taken) that I can rely on to apply with my new client population. When I see my the new graduates engaged in their new learning in this workplace, they immediately look up the latest treatments or interventions with quick access to google.

This observation made me realize that in my profession where evidence based practice is so important, that I should also be accessing the Internet to look up the latest research in the area. I would normally access the Internet to look up a non work related topic however,at work, I have been relying on my experience. As a result of witnessing this in my new workplace, I have started looking up topics on the latest interventions on the Internet to assist me in ensuring my knowledge is being updated and is current with what is happening in the literature. I realize I don't have any excuse now to keep up with what's happening in my profession with respect to current practice in my new OT role!

I have provided another video for you to view on the role of an OT(some more informal learning):