INFORMAL LEARNING

Informal learning includes learning from family members, from the community or learning through leisure activities. Informal learning is distinct from adult learning, but does help to supplement formal educational qualifications by providing other ways of acquiring skills and knowledge.

In 2009, the majority of people (84%) had participated in a selected informal learning activity. The main activities in which they had participated were: learning by trying things out (61%), using computers or the Internet to learn (58%), and learning by watching or getting help and advice from others (54%).

Learning by trying things out was the main informal learning activity for all age groups, except for 15-24 year olds, where using computers or the Internet was the main informal learning activity (64%). The proportion of people using computers or the Internet to learn decreased as age increased (for example, 64% of 15-24 year olds compared with 45% of 65-74 year olds). A similar pattern was evident for those who participated in informal learning by watching, getting help or advice from others (60% of 15-24 year olds reported this way of learning compared to 46% of 65-74 year olds).