Learning outside formal education: opportunities and threats for philosophy-inspired practices

Learning outside formal education: opportunities and threats for philosophy-inspired practices

A seminar led by Graeme Tiffany 

April 18^th 2018

Babbage Building 415: 3pm-5pm

‘Learning outside Formal Education’ is often constructed as something complementary to schooling, an ‘enrichment’ activity, a bit of fun, a reward. At other times it is a compensatory vehicle, used to support ‘re-engagement’ in learning which, again, seems to privilege school. Of course, there is a wider world of informal, non-formal, and adult education, much of which is constituted ‘in community’. But this too can be cast as the poor relation to formal education. And then there is ‘The Street’, an altogether mysterious (and perhaps Romantic) place for students of education, possessing its own distinct philosophy of education. What would happen if we were to give these ‘Other’ practices a status at least as equal to that afforded to formal education? What if they were respected as philosophies of education in their own right? How might these traditions learn from one other?

Graeme Tiffany has a background in youth and community work, and has had long-term involvement in the UK Federation for Detached Youth Work and Dynamo International, the international network of social street workers. His PhD research theorises the need for uncertainty-appreciative practices, which he has sought to articulate through his pioneering work in Community Philosophy. He writes about this and other subjects at: http://www.graemetiffany.co.uk/

All welcome: please register your place by April 15^th by emailing R.Passy@plymouth.ac.uk