Looking for progress on informal learning

Citation

(2001), "Looking for progress on informal learning", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443bab.018

Looking for progress on informal learning

Looking for progress on informal learning

Keywords: Self-managed learning

Learning that takes place outside the classroom, at leisure, with the family or at work needs to be more systematically used, according to a report published by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop). Making Learning Visible claims that informal learning operates in the shadows of formal education and training, but is essential for any European lifelong-learning strategy. The report examines informal learning in the various EU member states. It claims that while there is no common European approach to the identification, assessment and recognition of informal learning, interest has grown dramatically in the past few years. Some EU countries have investigated how to accredit skills learned at work, but there is still much to be done. Some member states place great value on academic learning but have done little to assess the true value to the workforce of skills learned outside formal systems. The report points out that identifying and assessing informal learning is complex and challenging. Moreover, politicians, employers and employees must show greater willingness to recognize informal learning.

An executive summary of the report is available on the Internet at http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/nonformal/index.asp