Workplace Informal Learning Behaviors of Information Technology Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine workplace informal learning behaviors of Information
Technology (IT) teachers: types of activities in which IT teachers engaged in, environmental factors inhibiting
their engagements and personal characteristics enhancing their motivation. The participants of the study were IT
teachers who were working in the various educational institutions and the member of a non-governmental
organization. A survey research design was employed for this study. The data were collected from 100 IT
teachers via a self-designed a “closed” web-based questionnaire. Teachers were all volunteers. Informal
Learning Survey developed by Lohman (2005) was used as data gathering tool. All closed-ended items
providing quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Open-ended questions including IT
teachers’ views on the other aspects of environmental inhibitors and personal characteristics were analyzed
through content analysis. The results of the survey showed that “search the internet” is the most common
informal learning activity among IT teachers. The findings also revealed that “lack of time” as an environmental
inhibitor and “interest in the professional field” as a personal characteristics are the most significant factors that
affect informal learning activities.