Open schools and shared responsibilities: Integrating informal and formal learning in 21st-century schools

The main goal of this chapter is to highlight new directions related to the recognition of informal learning as part of the schooling process. The effect of this added space recognizing informal learning as a valid source of knowledge will be to expand the way current education systems view their role as key social institutions. This is seen as a priority in the current century. This new approach to school learning, which recognizes diverse sources of knowledge, has an impact on a vision for schools as open organizations. Students and teachers will be recognized as organizational actors and active learning methodologies will involve learning communities in creating new knowledge. Students will no longer be confined to “learning” the official curriculum: They will be freed to explore all kinds of learning as they make their way through the education system.