Informal learning in higher education

Description

The concept of the informal in education is problematic as a variety of definitions exist. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (n.d., n.p.) offers the following definition: ‘informal learning never organised, has no set objective in terms of learning outcomes and is never intentional from the learner’s standpoint’. This definition misaligns with many aspects of taught sessions in higher education, where sessions are indeed organised, learning outcomes are planned in advance, and learning is often intentional. However, research in other educational contexts demonstrates that student benefit that can be gained from increased recognition and validation of informal learning practices in formal education settings (for example, Green, 2008). Such research highlights the importance of informal learning pedagogy in education. Yet the business of teaching and learning is incredibly complex, resisting the dichotomy between the informal and formal (Folkestad, 2006). Furthermore, increased criticality relating to informal learning spaces in particular is encouraged to enhance inclusion in higher education (Berman, 2020). Within this short presentation, reflection will be encouraged about how a balance might be achieved between the formal and informal to enhance student learning and experience in higher education.

BERMAN, N. (2020) A critical examination of informal learning spaces. Higher Education Research & Development, 39(1), pp. 127–140. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2019.1670147.

FOLKESTAD, G., 2006. Formal and informal learning situations or practices vs formal and informal ways of learning. British Journal of Music Education, 23 (2), pp. 135-145. doi: 10.1017/S0265051706006887.

GREEN, L., 2008. Music, informal learning and the school: a new classroom pedagogy. Ashgate: Aldershot.

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, n.d. Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning [online]. Available from: http://www.oecd.org/education/skills-beyond-school/recognitionofnon-formalandinformallearning-home.htm

Period	18 Jun 2025
Event title	SOLSTICE and CLT conference
Event type	Conference
Location	Ormskirk, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National