Introductory remarks on informal learning

When observing the world, informal learning seems to be the most common form of learning. Learning by imitation, copying, modeling, exemplarity, friction with the environment around us is a widespread way to learn

For example the IndianTrimurthi involves guru / disciple, senior / devotee, professional / student to transfer unwritten knowledge. Informal learning is even one of the most common things when the school is lacking or too expensive. Over 80% of our knowledge is informal according To Tough’s studies already dating from the 70's. According to the division promoted by the European Commission, informal learning is different from the formal (standardized and recognized by certificates and diplomas), and non-formal learning (learning organization, but non certified). Informal learning is presented as a silent form of education or truancy. It slips into the cracks at other activities. It is an accidental or incidental learning, learning from everyday life, or daily. It takes place anywhere that is why no one mentions informal professional learning, and others speak of school development habitus. The morning presentations are intended to show illustrations of this learning in worlds as diverse as possible: the world of health, of the city and  of the enterprise. The human and personal experience plays a big role in its development. It's learning that could be described as situated in context or related to events and meetings. Peter Dominicé will be helping us to discover  that this is a biographical or experiential learning and that every moment of our lives can be a learning moment. Discuss informal learning in some way, make it recognizable and shape it. It is a paradox to formalize the informal. What are the issues of formalizing the informal? Controling what happens? Establishing different power relations? Develop cost-effective solutions to training needs? Helping learners to become emancipated in their relationship to knowledge? We will have the opportunity to discuss these issues in the afternoon workshops organized around the three worlds mentioned above. Well, even if the speakers are prepared to share their experiences we call for informal discussions.

Finally and to conclude an already busy day, we will host Victoria Marsick an American well known professor. Her speech will be translated consecutively. Victoria is an American specialist of the adult  learning at Columbia University. She will develop the latest approaches to the issue. For if there is informal learning, engaging in the act of learning is due to the individual himself, consciously or reluctantly. In fact it starts with a socialization or tacit learning can also be identified as incidental learning, learning unintentionally, coproduced with another activity, and self-directed learning. That is to say an educational project undertaken without the help of a teacher. On these points we will benefit from the Victoria Marsick’s experience of  research.