Glossary
Not to get lost with all the terms used in different educational documents, here are some of them, that you can check if you happen to forget (also provided with link to more detailed information).
At the moment here are the basics, in time we will add more terms.
Formal education (FE) - the hierarchically structured, chronologically graded 'education system', running from primary school through the university and including, in addition to general academic studies, a variety of specialised programmes and institutions for full-time technical and professional training.
Informal education (IFE) - the truly lifelong process whereby every individual acquires attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily experience and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment - from family and neighbours, from work and play, from the market place, the library and the mass media.
Non-formal education (NFE) - any organised educational activity outside the established formal system - whether operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activity - that is intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives.
(from http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-nonfor.htm#idea)
formal
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non-formal
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| purposes | Long-term & general Credential-based |
Short-term & specific Non-credential-based |
| timing | long cycle / preparatory / full-time | short cycle / recurrent / part-time |
| content | standardized / input centred academic entry requirements determine clientele |
individualized / output centred practical clientele determine entry requirements |
| delivery | institution-based, isolated | environment-based, |
| system | from environment. rigidly structured, teacher-centred and resource intensive |
community related. flexible, learner-centred and resource saving |
| control | external / hierarchical | self-governing / democratic |
(Adapted by Fordham 1993 from Simkins 1977: 12-15)
Lifelong Learning (LLL) - all learning activity undertaken throughout life, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competencies within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective.
(from EC “Making the European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality”, 2001)
More: http://www.infed.org/lifelonglearning/b-life.htm
The Bologna Process – started by European Commission with a aim to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010, in which students can choose from a wide and transparent range of high quality courses and benefit from smooth recognition procedures. The three priorities of the Bologna process are: introduction of the three cycle system (bachelor/master/doctorate), quality assurance and recognition of qualifications and periods of study.
(from: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/bologna/bologna_en.html)