What is the problem? Chew it as food for thought... lessons for workplace learning

摘要

A facilitator addresses a group of employees: "What is the problem? Chew it as food for thought. Spit out the garbage. Enjoy the flavor. Digest the 'meat'. Prepare your recipe. Share it with others." No, this is not a cooking lesson; it is a problem-based learning (PBL) facilitation session where participants reflect on' a problem, identify pressing issues, determine learning objectives and share their views with others. This is the brewing process of PBL in the workplace.rnWe live in a world with different facets of problems and challenges. They can either be developmental or destructive, the former providing opportunities for individuals to learn and grow while the latter, to stagnate and withdraw. Research shows that about 20 percent of employees learn from structured training programs while 80 percent through informal means. A key discovery is that employees often engage in personal strategies to handle daily tasks and challenges. These strategies, associated with informal learning, include questioning, listening, observing, reading and reflecting on their surroundings.