10-second review: What do the terms “formal” and “informal” mean? “While the terms ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ seem ubiquitous in the educational literature, we wonder if their definitions may be more elusive than is generally acknowledged.”
Source: C Williams and K Hufnagel. Research in the Teaching of English (February 2005), 261. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Comment: I think of ‘formal instruction’ as direct instruction. I think of ‘informal’ methods as inquiry, focusing on finding answers to questions to which the students—and probably the teacher—do not know the answer. Another either/or type of issue. Both methods work. RayS.
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