Learning can be considered to take place in environments other than formally constructed settings such as schools, colleges & universities, home-schooling, tutoring and other organised or regulated scenarios. Further to this, strategies that incorporate learning also consider environments such as museums and libraries. The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding as to whether a public house can provide an environment which can promote informal learning, with regard to lifelong learning, in adults.
An analysis of literature based on social learning theory, the transfer of knowledge and research on widening participation, provides insight into how entering into the social sphere of a public house can promote ideas of informal learning. Literature on the potential of using the PH in this manner such as particular, ‘Informal Learning and Widening Participation’ (Cullen et al, 2000), restricts the discussion to pub quizzes. This study will use a case study approach to observe the social interactions taking place within a public house. Positive and negative aspects of how informal learning can take place within a public house will be synthesised with current knowledge on informal learning, social learning theory, and initiatives allowing widening participation and lifelong learning to take place.
As this study is an assessment item for a current module, the results and conclusions are yet to be ascertained. Completion is due in early May with the intention to present considered a part of the assessment.