Informal Learning and Vocational Education and Training—The View of the Classics in Vocational Pedagogy (Dewey, Kerschensteiner and Spranger)

The following article is tracing the history of the term ‘informal’ back to the educational classics. It was John Dewey who introduced this term in relation to education and learning. Schools played and still play an important role in profiling this concept, which has gained a prominent role today and is mainly used for mature learners. Informal learning is seen as a pivotal source for vocational learning. It is—as formal learning—a necessary part of vocational education and training (VET). With this historical and philosophical background in mind, the following article is stressing the advantages and the deficits of such a concept.