A Case for the Underestimated, Informal Side of Lifelong Learning.

Formal and non-formal education is well established and recognisedin our society. However, unbeknown to those who engage in it,informal learning occurs more frequently than these forms ofeducation. Those who engage with others in their informal learninghave the potential for personal fulfilment and community well-being.Who is involved? What does it look like? How does it happen? Whatis the relationship between the teacher and learner, and what use isit anyway? This paper addresses the position of informal learning inthe scheme of lifelong learning and documents a research study thatsought to produce some answers when 'informal teachers' of a ruralcommunity were investigated.