4438.0 - Disability, Vocation and Education Training, 2009  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/06/2011  First Issue
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All


Informal learning across all age groups INFORMAL LEARNING ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS


INFORMAL LEARNING ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS

More than any other, informal learning perhaps represents the most influential type of learning in that it is largely self-propelled. Everyone appears to participate in it more readily than they do in either formal or non-formal learning. In informal learning, people learn by actively pursuing interests, watching others, participating in groups, using trial and error and accessing the Internet or technology.

For people with specific restrictions, the pattern of participation in informal learning differed across the age groups but was also different to the participation patterns of those with no disability (Table 3).

Young people with specific limitations or restrictions aged 15-24 years tended to learn most by using computers and the Internet, trying things out for themselves and watching others.

People with specific limitations or restrictions aged 25-44 years were most likely to try things out for themselves, watch others and use computers and the Internet. They were also more likely than the other age groups to attend learning groups, seminars and workshops.

People with specific limitations or restrictions aged 45-64 years were most likely to learn informally by trying things out for themselves, to use computers and the Internet (although to a lesser extent than younger people) and to use manuals, journals and reference books.

Diagram: This is a table showing types of informal activities participated in by people aged 15-64 years, by disability status