Formal, non-formal, and informal learning: What are they, and how can we research them?
This review uses research literature to outline the characteristics, benefits and disadvantages of formal, non-formal, and informal learning. There appears to be a consensus around the meanings of formal and informal learning. Formal learning broadly aligns with organized, institutionalized learning models (such as learning seen in schools), whilst informal learning describes the everyday learning that people experience throughout their lives, and which can go easily unrecognized. Non-formal learning is less clearly understood. Despite its specific use in various cross-national policy contexts (e.g., Council of Europe, 2022; OECD, n.d.), it is most easily understood in its negative sense, i.e., as being ‘not formal’, so it is pertinent to explore its meaning. We use this review specifically to build a better understanding of non-formal learning and to consider the methodological implications of researching this type of learning.
Mustafa Erdoğan
Thank you İlknur for the great resource. I think we should think more about informal learning. I am sure this will trigger the discussion about learning spaces. Both in formal and non-formal education, if the space is rich and diverse then we can also support the informal learning process of our learners.