Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84682 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 142 pages

Synopsis
Informal education has, in recent years, attracted a lot interest amongst educationalists, health and welfare professionals and others. Why is this? Also what is it, who does it, and how can it be developed? This book seeks to answer these questions and provide an introduction to informal education. The writers explore how informal educators encourage conversation, democracy and learning. They also examine evaluation, working with process, living with values and planning. Each chapter includes a number of questions that help readers to explore their work. Further support is given on a set of linked web pages. This is the third edition of this book, which has become a popular text for those in the youth and community sector.

From the Publisher
Informal Education - back cover information
informal education: conversation, democracy and learning

This is a little cracker, an ideal tool for all initial training courses and a must for jaded and stressed-out practitioners. This book offers a timely reminder of all that we value about our work and gives a firm orientation to our profession. Doug Nicholls, Rapport January 1997

This book celebrates conversation…. It provides a flavour of the possibilities of informal education [and] should encourage [readers] to probe more deeply into the theory and practice of informal education. Howard Williamson, Young People Now 41

An excellent introduction…. which may well become a classic. William Clemmey, Youth and Policy 59.

Of late there has been a major growth of interest in informal education. But what is it? Who does it? How is it to be developed? This book provides a unique and practical introduction to the area.

The writers explore how informal educators encourage conversation, democracy and learning. They also examine evaluation, working with process, living with values and planning. Each chapter includes a number of questions that help readers to explore their work. Further support is given on a set of linked web pages.

Informal Education is a required text for the Certificate in Foundation Studies in Informal and Community Education...

Customer Reviews

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO INFORMAL EDUCATION
This is simply a brilliant piece of explanatory text for youth workers, social workers and community sector workers. Informal education is central to youth work in the UK. Jeffs and Smith investigate elements of learning, education and the social impact that this tool can have. The book also explores conversation and democracy, reflective practice and education as a process rather than a product. For people exploring informal education, it is a valuable introduction and I would say a must for those entering the youth work profession. Jeffs and Smith also have the knack of presenting the information is a easy-to-read way, so that such a vast topic can be read in a relaxed way. It is not volumnous in its content and equally is not too brief. With so many people fearful of education as a youth work component, this book will put minds at rest. Enjoy.