Formal and informal Education The Differences Between Formal and Informal Education: Understanding the Differences, similarities, and how to Utilize both

75% percent of all workplace education is informal.

This means that the bulk of learning occurs out of formal courses or in classrooms, and is instead done in a natural and spontaneous manner, often in social environments.

To maximize learning and development when training, it's crucial to support both formal and informal education and learn as much as possible. Here's what you need to be aware of about informal and formal education - including the key aspects, the differences, and the best ways to utilize both of them to help train employees in the organization.

Skip ahead:

•         Education, formal and informal definitions      
•             Higher education
•             Informal education
•         Formal vs informal learning comparability
•         What is the difference between informal and formal education?    
•         Similarities between formal and Informal Education
•         Examples of Formal and Informal education
•         How to use both informal and formal education for best results in education

Formal and informal education definitions

First up - what are we talking about when we talk about formal as well as informal education? Here are the definitions.

Formal education

Informal Education

Unlike formal education the informal learning process doesn't adhere to an established structure or method. Informal learning is usually conducted in a non-formal learning environment and it is self-directed. As such, it is usually spontaneous and in a natural way.

If it's informal learning person who is taking part has no specific goal or goal in mind. They may not be aware that learning is taking place. For example, informal learning may occur when watching a video on social media or chatting with your coworker, or reading an article you find on the web. The learning isn't necessarily deliberate however, you do gain new knowledge on a specific topic.

Informal and formal learning comparison

What is the difference between informal and formal education?

Below are the four major differences between informal and formal education you need to know.

Structure

The biggest difference between informal and formal learning is the way in which each type of education follows. The formal education system is structured and organized - meaning learning is structured around achieving particular learning goals. As an example, onboarding clients could have the aim of helping new clients utilize essential features in the products. The path to learning is designed with this goal in mind.

Informal learning can be unstructured and not pre-planned. Unlike formal learning, it doesn't follow any formal system - instead, learning is shaped through the individual learners' choices and actions and not a preset course.

Let's take an example. For instance, suppose an exchange occurs between two colleagues about the way they manage their email inboxes to increase efficiency. If the learner is interested in the topic then they could ask questions to gain more knowledge about the topic, or seek out other resources like taking a listen to podcast, or reading a blog. The discussion is not structured and does not have a particular goal in mind - but it is learning taking place.

Teaching Methods

It's straightforward to determine the difference between informal and formal learning by looking at the teaching techniques - basically that formal education is a form of teaching and informal education doesn't.

The formal education system is organized and delivered by a professional such as teacher, professor teacher or coach. Teaching may be conducted face-toface or through online learning. However, even if learning is self-directed and controlled, formal education is created, designed and taught by an educator.

Informal learning isn't a part of any formal instruction. There isn't any fixed educational or instructional system. The students can receive instruction from one particular person who may be an experienced expert within their area but there is no fixed instruction or lesson.

Learning Environment

As formal education takes a systematic way of teaching, it often takes place within a learning space which can be in person or on the internet. Learning takes place in a particular area of learning, such as an classroom, a Zoom meeting room, or through an LMS.

Informal learning takes place without a reason for learning It can take place anywhere - including within formal learning settings such as universities and schools, however it is also possible to do so outside of the  real world. Informal learning could take place on the bus, at a cafe, on holiday, or in any other place.

Evaluation and Accreditation

One of the main characteristics of formal education is that it generally includes assessments such as exams, quizzes, and formal assignments. When the course, it's typical for students to be awarded a certification or accreditation for their accomplishment.

Informal learning does not include assessments or accreditations because it's unplanned. No person will award you with a certificate to chat with colleagues. It takes place outside of learning environments that are formal and knowledge gained by learners isn't tested or rewarded.

Similarities Between Formal and Informal Education

There are definitely some differences between formal and informal education but there are some similarities between these two methods. Below are three of the principal differences.

Social interaction

Humans are social animals. Learn by watching and engaging with people around us.

The formal as well as informal educational experiences are enhanced by social interactions. For formal learning, students are able to benefit from interaction with their instructors or community moderators as well as others in their class.

Informal learning is a more formal approach to learning. However, it is more likely to be a social rather than an activity for individuals. Consider the lessons you've gained knowledge through discussions with colleagues and friends and participation in online forums and communities, and using social media. All of these are kinds of social interactions in which informal learning takes place.

Input from teachers and facilitators

Formal and informal education both include teachers of some kind While formal education is governed and provided by teachers informal education takes place naturally.

Imagine an in-person employee training program conducted by an instructor within a classroom. This is a formal education element but informal education can also happen through casual conversations between learners and their instructor, for instance. Simply spending time with someone who's an expert in their field could result in informal education opportunities even without realizing it.

Continuous learning

Examples of Formal and Informal Education

It is commonplace to have formal and informal learning to take place alongside each in a way. Mixing both can result in optimal outcomes for students. Here are some examples of what happens.

Learn a new language

If you are planning to move to a different country. you choose to enroll in an English course in order to master the native language of your new country.

The course will probably be in the form of face-toface lessons in a classroom and employ a methodical process of teaching students specific vocabulary and grammar rules. It will also include assessments. This is an example of formal education.

Informal learning occurs when you leave the classroom for work, or to the supermarket such as. You'll be surrounded by other people speaking the new language, as well as labels and words are written in the same language. Naturally, you will listen to and learn the language by learning from information around you, and also by speaking to cashiers and other customers.

It's an example of informal learning, but it's just as important and beneficial as the formal training you're getting.

Training for management of employees

Many employees participate in formal and informal education in their workplace. Management training is a great illustration - an employee could be considered for an official management course where they complete online modules or training courses given by an instructor with the goal of qualifying to become a manager at their company. This is the formal educational component.

However, outside of the formal training course, the employee could also learn how to be a good leader and an efficient manager through observing the others in the organization, as well as through meetings with C-suite executives or after-work gatherings with colleagues. This is an example of informal learning that's aiding in the enhancement and reinforcement of the education provided by the corporate training program.

How to use both informal and formal education for best results in training

To improve learning outcomes in your organization you must encourage the formal as well as informal learning. There are 3 strategies to facilitate both learning types.

• assign mentors and friends: To increase informal learning opportunities, pair learners with peers or mentors to facilitate learning outside the classroom. This can provide a more dynamic learning process.
• Discover strategies for increasing engagement: Engaged learners have a greater desire for information They are also are more likely to participate in formal and informal learning. Structure training for maximum engagement with the addition of quizzes, videos, gamification, and extra sources for learning that go beyond the content of the course.

Are you ready to make the most of informal and formal education?

If you're seeking to increase the quality of learning at your workplace It is important to know the difference between informal and formal education - and how to leverage both forms of education for optimal results.

Bring your learning program to the next level. If you're struggling with the intricacies of formal education, or investigating the flexible nature of learning in informal settings, our tailored solutions can be tailored to meet the demands of your business.