Opportunities for Principals’ Informal Learning: An Integrative Literature Review

• In Event: Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Workplace Learning: Roundtables

Abstract

Informal learning represents an emerging construct within the adult learning and human resource development literature that wields great potential for impacting how education researchers and practitioners conceptualize the pathways through which principals develop the tasks and skills necessary for role effectiveness. This integrative literature review grounded in Eraut’s framework for informal learning utilizes a Boolean keyword search of major education research databases yielding 63 empirical studies related directly to principals’ informal learning or tasks, skills, and mindsets for which expertise is needed for effective role performance. A synthesis of the literature provides a new framework for understanding and reflecting on what, how, and what factors impact principals’ informal learning. Recommendations for practice are provided for administrators and education leadership programs.

Author

• Justin Barbaro, Teachers College, Columbia University