Non formal learning

... is purposive but voluntary learning that takes place in a diverse range of environments and situations for which teaching/training and learning is not necessarily their sole or main activity. These environments and situations may be temporarly, and the activities or courses that take place may be staffed by professional learning facilitators (such as youth trainers) or by volunteers (such as youth leaders). The activities and courses are planned, but are seldomly structured by conventional rhythms or curriculum subjects. They usually address specific target groups, but rarely document or assess learning outcomes or achievements in conventionally visible ways.

If you want you can already look on your Youth Initiative project: Do you participate voluntary? Is this an temporarely environment? Did you structure your process and plan the activity? Then you are in a non-forma learning process!

KOLB'S EXPERIANTAL LEARNING PROCESS

• Experience:  As a member of a team, students engage in hands-on experiments related to a research project, each situation providing a new experience.

• Reflection:  Students reflect on their experience with peers, mentor, and research educator. Jointly, they make sense of what happened and note inconsistencies between the experience and their previous understanding.

• Conceptualize:  Reflection may lead students to develop a new idea or modify an existing concept; in addition, they may participate in a seminar with exposure to additional project-related concepts that may further clarify implications for action.

• Test:  Students return to their project to apply the new and/or refined knowledge in the research environment to see what happens.