Six Benefits of Informal Learning for Adults

The spontaneous learning that takes place between groups of people that is known as “informal education” has many benefits for the adult learner.

Malcolm Knowles, a pioneer in the field who outlined some of these benefits in his 1950 book Informal Adult Education described the flexibility of the learning process, the use of real-life experience and the enthusiasm and commitment of participants as significant elements for the gratification of the adult student.

Almost 65 years later, with the introduction of widespread use of social media and an enhanced global awareness, we at the Center for Active Learning can add another six distinct benefits to his observations.

1. Informal education is empowering for adults because of its democratic and bottom-up approach to learning. Rather than having a standardized, set curriculum, informal learning is customized to the needs of the student and they are the focus of attention throughout, not the institution or the teacher. In 1993, P.E. Fordham argued that education should be in the interest of the learner not the educator and the growth in informal learning programs is testament to the beneficial impact of that approach.
2. Informal education is convenient for adult learners because of its flexibility. It is environment and community based, designed to bring the learning experience to the student as opposed to them having to travel away far away from their neighborhood to learn. From literacy programs in Botswana to programs for aspiring actors in New York City, we are seeing how informal education is working by reaching the people who need it most in their own backyards.
3. Informal learning is practical as opposed to academic, and this is beneficial to the adult learner because they can use what they learn immediately. It has a genuine application in their own lives, and they do not have to wait to complete an entire program before they can inject aspects of the learning into their day to day work and life. Value is added sooner than later.
4. Informal learning fits more easily into the life of the average adult learner because of its flexibility and short-term format. For most busy adults, when a commitment is made to do one thing, something else gets less attention. With the pressures on today’s families, adults who want to learn have to consider whether taking on a long-term commitment of formal education is feasible. However, the flexible, short-term cycle of informal education allows the adult learner to have more options to incorporate learning into their lives.
5. Through informal learning, adults can find their preferred style of learning. Some informal education classes are highly entertaining while others have more serious lecture formats. Having the ability to select what works for their individual personalities is a bonus when it comes to adult learning.
6. By informal learning’s format of bringing individuals together, adult learning provides personal growth opportunities for participants. It challenges stereotypes and helps to break down barriers between people. In Learning in Social Action, Professor Griff Foley’s offers case studies that illustrate this kind of incidental learning that takes place when people unite in groups with a perceived purpose, whether it is informal learning or community improvement.

Sources

1.  Knowles, M.S. (1950) Informal Adult Education, New York: Association Press.
2. Fordham, P. E. (1993) “Informal, non-formal and formal education programmes” in YMCA George Williams College ICE301 Lifelong Learning Unit 2, London: YMCA George Williams College
3. Foley, G. (1999) Learning in Social Action. A contribution to understanding informal education. Leicester: NIACE/London: Zed Books.