The Slow Death of Formal Learning: A Polemic

Abstract

Over recent years, approaches to education and training have become more informal, situated, outcome focused and experiential. Within this context, formal learning now plays a greatly diminished role, being supplanted by activity-based and technologically-based learning. This article, structured in the form of a polemic challenges readers to critically examine the importance and value of formal learning in modern learning environments. It reviews four propositions charting changes to the learning environment arguing that formal learning plays a central role in deepening an individual’s functional and general knowledge. It questions the branding of formal learning as an outdated delivery mode associated with an old-fashioned antiquated pedagogy and argues that decisions on learning styles should be based upon sound evidence-based research.