Importance of Informal Learning over Formal Learning in 21st Century

Abstract

“Informal learning is enhanced when humans participate in interactive experiences”. – Allen (2004; Birchfield et al. 2008) .The unique learning needs of every learner, support the positive human relationships needed for effective learning. Learning environments are the structures, tools, and communities that inspire students and educators to attain the knowledge and skills the 21st century demands of us all. So far, we have considered how buildings, schedules, and technology all contribute to 21st century learning. Now we come to the most essential element of all: the “people network.” This is the community of students, educators, parents, business and civic leaders, and policymakers that constitute the human resources of an educational system. The flexible spaces that enable productive learning and shared work/play opportunities, the creative uses of time that promote continuous learning, the extensible technologies that support collaboration among the school community and the outside 22 world – all these systems are valuable only in so far as they effectively support the human connections on which The age-old connection between strong minds and strong bodies has always made good sense, but we now have the educational research to back it up. If we want our children to have sound and agile minds, we need to help them achieve sound and agile bodies. To educate the whole child, though, schools must devote themselves to more than the mind-body connection alone. They must attend to the emotional and social learning needs of children, as well as to more traditional objectives of academic achievement and physical education. Research and observation shows that human ware with its par aphelia is most important. Many of the successful organizations that we see around us today attribute their success to employees who are empowered to learn and innovate at great speeds. These are organizations that have buried their outlook about traditional styles of learning and development (Land amp;D) and embraced new strategies or models. They have realized that, with the traditional approach, it is impossible to achieve a high growth or efficiency because the way people learn has undergone a disruptive transformation…from formal ‘structured’ learning’ to informal ‘social learning’.” – The 70:20:10 Landamp;D Model for Developing a High-Citizens of the 21st century need to think critically and creatively, embrace diversity and ambiguity, and create as well as consume information. They need to be resourceful and self-reliant, while also skilled at collaboration and group process. They need to understand the many “languages” of modernity – such as mathematics, science, and technology – and be fluent in varied forms of communication – such as persuasion, presentation, and self- expression. “You can see an evident shift from formal curriculum-based learning to informal just-in- time learning, and this is just the beginning!” – Pooja Jaisingh