Knowledge, Sentience and Receptivity: a paradigm of lifelong learning |
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Authors: | BO ENEROTH |
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Abstract: | This article aims to develop a paradigm of lifelong learning situations. The starting point is the EU-Commission policy document where three kinds of learning situations are identified: formal, non-formal and informal. The article tries to deepen this categorisation by searching for the underlying ontological and epistemological dimensions. The ontological dimension consists of three corresponding realities — formal, non-formal and informal reality. The formal reality is a world of generalities. The non-formal reality is a world of individualities – and not just of individual human beings. In the same way, the epistemological dimension consists of three corresponding kinds of knowledge: formal, non-formal and informal. Formal knowledge is a knowing you can formulate, basically as concepts in thoughts possible to formulate in words. Non-formal knowledge consists of the learner's ability to see and sense what an actual event shows and (literally) make sense-ible. It is a circumstantial knowledge . As for informal knowledge , you cannot have that ability. But, in the moment of happening, the event will give you this ability to see and sense what to do and how to do — as a whim or fancy from nowhere. Informal knowledge is epiphanic . These two dimensions form a nine field paradigm of different kinds of learning settings. In relation to the formal, non-formal and informal reality the conceptual knowledge will be produced in the academic setting; the learning setting of conceptualising reflection; the learning setting of ignorance. The circumstantial knowledge will be developed in the master-apprentice learning setting; the learning setting of trial and error; the setting of accidental learning. The epiphanic knowledge will be revealed in the learning setting of self-evident clearness; the learning setting of individual unique simplicity; the learning setting of vivifying activities. |
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