A model of workplace learning, created by Charles Jennings, which proposes that:
70% of workplace learning is self-directed (learning by doing) This reminds me of the quotation attributed to Pablo Picasso:
Pablo Picasso
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
20% of workplace learning is informal (mentoring, etc.)
10% of workplace learning is formal
Jennings refers back to the research of Allen Tough, Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger (see The 70:20:10 Framework slides 20-23), but acknowledges that the numbers aren't an empirical absolute.
Jennings quotation
"70:20:10 is not about a fixed ratio. It’s a simple and extremely helpful framework for changing focus and aligning resources to support workforce development and learning with where most of it already happens – in the workplace." SOURCE It's not about the numbers, it's all about change
In pondering what this means for formal education, I remember that the workplace learners Jennings is talking about aren't in most cases novices and have a base of context-relevant skills on which to build. However, it does make models like competency based education more intriguing.