Characteristics and position of non-formal education in Flanders (VLV125)

Informal learning and non-formal education have an increasing interest in the discourse on lifelong and life wide learning. This trend is noticeable in the theory, the research and educational practice. In Flanders, the sector of social-cultural work for adults, one of the leading providers of non-formal adult education. Within this sector, since 2003, thirteen regional adult education active. They got the name Vormingplus centra. They provide in Flanders and Brussels for the development, distribution, communication and coordination of the non-formal educational practices.

Within this study the evolution and characteristics of non-formal learning in adult education mapped and analyzed. A screening literature explored the concept of non-formal education 'and checks these against the current adult education work. A document analysis, the characteristics and location (s) of the folk high schools after. A Delphi study with staff from the different folk high schools results in suggestions for the positioning and legitimacy of the folk high schools in Flanders.

Keywords:Informal Learning, Delphi Research, Folk High Schools, Adult Education, agogics

Disciplines:Psychology and cognitive sciences, Pedagogical and educational sciences, Sociology and anthropology