About Non-formal Learning

"Every individual has to learn and
practice what they want to achieve

perfection of" were the famous thoughts of Socrates.

Learning in general can be defined

as a long-term process that changes and
influences your knowledge,

skills and attitudes. Modern European

educational terminology divide learning
into three categories:

it's formal, informal and non-formal
learning

which are all well defined and explained

in a video "The three whales of learning".

Formal learning is something that takes place in school's environment:

the situation is planned and purposed. And that is on through national

curriculum and the subject and school syllabus is

the teachers work plan. For example a
traditional math class

where student is doing their work book
exercises is

formal education. It is also assessed

and evaluated through exams and placement tests.

Informal learning is the opposite.

It is something that happens in everyday
situations.

It is the Saturdays that you hang with your friends

or the evenings that you spend with your
parents or family.

It is something that is educational and
might change your values

but the results are viewable much much
later.

Somewhere between those two is non-formal learning.

it is something that happens or takes
place in different situations and

environments. It is purposed and might be planned like formal education.

But it is more flexible and available for
everyone.

And most importantly it should happen
voluntarily.

Non-formal education is both

social and individual learning. It is
something that you can do

extracurricular activities or subjects

where you use active and interactive
study methods.

It is also individual learning. Your own

idea and aim to educate yourself. For
example,

learning a new skill, like playing a
guitar through YouTube videos.

In order for the studying places is to be
more enjoyable

and fruitful we need to combine those two. Something that is set

by the national curriculum

and also more flexible and innovative,
like the non-formal learning process.

Learning takes place when there is something interesting for the student

or pupil. It is something that can

influence you, something that brings out
emotions

and allows yourself

to find answers to certain questions
that you are looking for,

requirements that you want to fulfill. In order for that to happen

you need to have belief in yourself and
your self-esteem

that you can manage obtaining that value. Formal learning

focuses mainly on that particular value -

the value of the subject and what you
are particularly learning.

Non-formal education on the other
hand focus on the process;

the emotion that it brings out in you
and how

you are learning. That's why it is said

it's important to use your more
creative side.

Learning is important because through that

we learn new things, skills and

can change our attitude. It is rather
pointless if we do it

only up to the exams or if we forget
about the things next week

It is said that in average a person can

think about 800 words a minute.

But we can only speak about 120

words per minute. Therefore it is evident
that

there is enough free energy and time

for a listener to not only pay attention
to what he said

but at the same time make connections
and think about

how to actually implement what he said

in the real-life. The practical value

of learning is something that non-formal

education forces. More and more attention

is put on non-formal

education in young person's development.

Consciously learning to learn is
something that can help you

map your skills and knowledge, help you
self-define

as a citizen. Non-formal learning

is something that can be achieved

to anyone. It is available for all
interested parties

There are a vast number of projects

for youngsters in local level

both internationally. These are some
opportunities that Sigrid

will now be introducing more thoroughly.