Reflect on what learning occurs in daily life. Consider informal and non-formal ways of learning in your family, community, and social groups. Also, consider our current popular culture of “fake news,” reality shows, “stars” (and multi-millionaires) that are created by our society simply for their ability to use social media effectively (e.g., YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram). What are the ways by which you learn from these contexts? What are the inherent challenges and opportunities? You can use both text and non-text means to present your discussion.

Learning occurs from the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to bed. Because of this course, I reflect at the end of most days on what I have learned, and the results are surprisingly enjoyable.

All education is learning, but not all learning is education. Formal learning takes place in an educational institution. Non-formal learning takes place outside of schools and changes depending on the individual. It is primarily self-directed. Informal learning occurs in everyday life and is not planned. As a metaphor, the tip of the iceberg is the conscious, formal learning, then comes the non-formal learning, but under the water, there is a much larger part of informal learning.

 Just as educators can get more skillful at increasing learner learning in school, parents can improve their skills at fostering learning out of school.  I already knew the basics, like reading to your kids, assuring homework gets done and providing resources and opportunities to cultivate talents and interests.  I developed new skills and used them while doing all the regular activities of raising kids while keeping them fed, clean, clothed, and safe.  When my children were going to public school, playing with friends in the community, or attending social groups, they were learning a lot, without being taught, outside their formal instruction. Phrases like, “I don’t know where he got that from, he just knows it,” or even “Where did she learn that word?” were common in my household.

Like the lower portion of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic, I had challenges teaching my children good values when my children were growing up. The Hanna Montana tv show from Disney 2006-2011 with star Miley Cyrus was my daughter’s favourite. Imitation singing in the house, dolls, clothes, all a multi-million-dollar marketing scheme by Disney. But not like the Titanic, as stated by Christopher Columbus, “following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.”

Eduard Lindeman, whom many identify as the father of adult education, describes learning as “seeking meaning in experience” (Taylor, Marienau, & Fiddler, 2000, p. 10). I choose meaning in experience and just as many experiences as I can get in life.

References

Taylor, K, Marienau, C., & Fiddler, M. (2000). Developing adult learners: Strategies for teachers and trainers. Jossey-Bass.