Education System
FORMAL, NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION: CONCEPTS/APPLICABILITY Claudio Zaki Dib Institute of Physics University of São Paulo, Brazil Presented at the “Interamerican Conference on Physics Education”, Oaxtepec, Mexico, 1987. Published in “Cooperative Networks in Physics Education - Conference Proceedings 173”, American Institute of Physics, New York, 1988, pgs. 300-315. ABSTRACT Educative system classification proposal, comprising formal, non-formal and informal education, their features and relations at the level of concepts and practical utilization is presented. Considering the problems arising from formal education, alternatives that displace the “center of gravity” from formal, to non-formal education processes are herein advanced, with regard to the advantages offered by the latter. The aspects relating to the creation of non-formal systems and their perspectives are also analyzed in the search for solutions to our current educational problems. INTRODUCTION In educational literature, the study of alternative education systems often mentions “open systems”, “non-formal education”, “distance learning”, “non-conventional studies”, among other terms. In some cases these are employed as synonyms, whereas in others, there is no agreement as to their meanings, making it impossible to reach a consensus for their concepts. A more precise definition of such concepts is fundamental, as is their possible classification, aimed at better understanding and practical utilization. We shall therefore analyze the concepts of formal, non-formal and informal education, in an attempt to define their features, advantages, limitations and inter-relations. FORMAL EDUCATION Formal education corresponds to a systematic, organized education model, structured and administered according to a given set of laws and norms, presenting a rather rigid curriculum as regards objectives, content and methodology. It is characterized by a contiguous education process named, as Sarramona1 remarks,
References: 1. J. Sarramona, “Tecnologia de la Ensenãnza a Distancia” (CEAC, Barcelona, 1975), p.20 2. T.W.Ward, F.D. Sawyer, L.McKinney, and J. Dettoni, “Effective Learning: Lessons To Be Learned From Schooling, in “Effective learning in Non-Formal Education”, Org. T.W. Ward and W.A. Herzog Jr. (East Lansing, Michigan State University, 1974) p.38 3. Ibid. p.14-59 4. Encyclopoedia Brittanica, ed. W. Benton (Enc.Brit.Inc.Chicago, 1956) p.476-477 5. J. Sarramona, op.cit. p. 24-25 6. B. Holmberg, “Status and Trends of Distance Education” (Kogan Page, London, 1981) p.11 7.Ibid p. 11 12 8. D. Butts, “Distance Learning and Broadcasting”, in “Distance Learning and Evaluation” ed. F. Percival and H. Elligton (Kogan Page, London, 1981) p. 26 9. B. Holmberg, “Distance Study in Educational Theory and Practice”, in “Educational Technology Twenty Years On”, ed. G.T. Page and O. A. Whitlock (Kogan Page, London, 1979) p.72 10. B. Holmberg, “Status and Trends of Distance Education” (Kogan Page London, 1981) p. 9798. 11. J.B.A. Oliveira, “Teleducação e Ensino Superior” in “Anais do XVI Seminário Brasileiro de Tecnologia Educacional (ABT, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. II, 1986) p.16 12. L. Grayson, “New Technologies in Education” in Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Vol. 3, ed. H.E. Mitzel (Free Press/MacMillan, New York, 1982) p.1340 13. J.S Yalli, Tecnologia Educational, 74, 51 (1987) 14. T.W.Ward, et alii, op.cit. p.37 15. J.B.A. Oliveira, op.cit. p.19 16. T.W. Ward, et alii, op.cit. p. 38 17. T.W.Ward, et alii, op.cit. p. 45 18. J.B.A. Oliveira, op.cit. p.21 19. W. Perry, “The growth of distance learning” in “Education of Adults at a Distance, a Report of the Open University’s Tenth Aniversary International Conference, ed. M.W. Weil, (Kogan Page/ The Open University Press, London. 1981) p.7 20. J.D. Bordenave, “Comunicação participativa na educação formal e não formal” in Anais do AVI Seminário Brasileiro de Tecnologia Educacional ( ABT, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. I, 1986) p. 81 21. C.Z. Dib, “Tecnologia de la Educación y su Aplicación al Apredizage de la Física” (CECSA, Mexico, 1981) p.72-83 22. M. Cornwall, Putting it into Practice: Promoting Independent Learning in a Traditional Institution, in Developing Student Autonomy in Learning, ed. D. Bund (Kogan Page, London, 1981) p.190 23. C.Z.Dib, “Programmed Learning and Educational Tecnology”, vol.17 3, p.250-256 (1980) 24. T.W. Ward, et alii, op.cit., p.51-52 25. T.W.Ward, et alii, op.cit., p.49-51. 13