The History of Nonformal and Informal Education

Despite being older and more pervasive than formal education, the history of nonformal and informal education is less fully examined by historians of education. This chapter explores the unique opportunities and challenges experienced by historians studying nonformal and informal education. The spectrum of nonformal and informal education is incredibly diverse and includes the set of all social institutions that serve to shape an individual’s knowledge and values. It spans museums and libraries, popular media, and even casual relationships between young people and more experienced members of their communities. The study of the history of nonformal and informal education brings to the fore ontological questions about educational history, including what counts as an educational institution, the differences between education and entertainment, and whether the same research methods that apply to the study of formal educational institutions can be applied to the study of their less formal counterparts.