Hi all. What is the difference between formal and non-formal education, and what are the advantages and limitations of each of these learning approaches?
Making a choice between formal and informal learning is not easy. Online training on legal, health and safety issues tends to be formal in nature. Online training on customer service, software, or product knowledge may or may not be formal. Therefore, the question is often asked about
what is the difference between formal and informal. Keep in mind that every online training should be relevant to the objectives and not just offer entertainment value.
Schools, universities and other institutions of higher education provide a structured environment for formal education. Formal education often lasts for a specific period of time, such as an academic year or semester, and consists of grades or levels.
Formal education is organized, sequential and culminates in a recognizable diploma, while non-formal education is more specialized, unique and based on the learner's own interests and experiences.