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The interrelatedness of formal, non-formal and informal learning : evidence from labour market program participants
journal contribution
posted on 2017-12-06, 00:00 authored by Roslyn CameronRoslyn Cameron, J HarrisonThe definitions, differences and relationships between formal, non-formal and informal learning have long been contentious. There has been a significant change in language and reference from adult education to what amounts to forms of learning categorized by their modes of facilitation. Nonetheless, there is currently a renewed interest in the recognition of non-formal and informal learning internationally and in Australia. This has been evidenced through the New OECD Activity on Recognition of Non-Formal and Informal Learning and recent policy developments in Australia. These developments have implications for the recognition of skills derived from informal and non-formal learning, especially for those disadvantaged in the labour market. This paper reports on data from a learning grid in a Learning Survey of labour market program participants (n = 172) from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. We find that life (informal learning) and work experience (non-formal learning) are relatively more important for gaining self-reported skills than formal training/study. We conclude by arguing for a holistic focus on the dynamic interrelatedness of these forms of learning rather than being constrained by a deterministic dichotomy between formality and informality.
History
Volume
52Issue
2Start Page
277End Page
309Number of Pages
33ISSN
1443-1394Location
Canberra, ACTPublisher
Adult Learning AustraliaLanguage
en-ausPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- No
External Author Affiliations
Faculty of Arts, Business, Informatics and Education; Learning and Teaching Education Research Centre (LTERC); Southern Cross University;Era Eligible
- Yes