Informal Learning


Informal learning is described  from the perspective of a contrast to the more formal "classroom" setting in which much of learning occurs. The contrast is pointed out from the viewpoint that those who learn from each other, from conversations, the experiences of others and themselves have a more practical, richer, and meaningful learning experience than in more formal settings. As Brookfield mentions, there is a place for both kinds of learning, and lifelong learning is composed of both more formal experiences (reading texts, journals, newsblasts, attending conferences) and informal ones (everyday experiences, exchanging information with peers, etc).

See the comments below from Lindeman, 1926.

1. Education is life: 'not merely preparation for an unknown kind of future living... The whole of life is learning, therefore education can have no endings. This new venture is called adult education not because it is confined to adults but because adulthood, maturity, defines its limits...' (Lindeman 1926: 4-5)

2. Adult education should be non-vocational: 'Education conceived as a process coterminous with life revolves about non-vocational ideals... adult education more accurately defined begins where vocational education leaves off. Its purpose is to put meaning into the whole of life' (ibid.: 5).

  3. We should start with situations not subjects: 'The approach... will be via the route of situations, not subjects... In conventional education the student is required to adjust himself to an established curriculum; in adult education the curriculum is built around the student's needs and interests' (ibid.: 6).

 4.We must use the learner's experience:

'The resource of highest value in adult education is the learner's experience... all genuine education will keep doing and thinking together'

 

Readings concerning Informal Learning (Note: all are in html and are avaIable online, so I have supplied the URLs)

I especially direct you to the Colley, Hodkinson, Malcolm article for an excellent definition and overview.

 

InformalLearning  Alan Rogers

http://www.infed.org/features/informal_learning.htm

http://www.infed.org/biblio/non_formal_paradigm.htm

Comments from his book due out in 2004   AlanRogers.doc

 

Colley  NonFormal learning; matching the conceptual terrain http://www.infed.org/archives/e-texts/colley_informal_learning.htm

Pauline Chen: Remembers being a junior resident in "Someone to Watch over Me"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/health/24chen.html

 

Billett Knowing in Practice: Critiquing workplace discourse 

http://www.infed.org/archives/e-texts/billett_workplace_learning.htm

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VFW-43S7R0X-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=937950372&_rerunOrigin=scholar.google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=812a58a7dee662294a56fb22d6a16f79

 

Coombs Nonformal education (policy debates)

http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-nonfor.htm