Formal education (K-12 & higher education)
From The Learning Engineer's Knowledgebase
In the Formal Education domain, students of all ages learn knowledge and skills that are essential for everyday life and work. The work of K-12 schools aims to educate well-rounded citizens that are able to succeed as adults. In colleges, universities, and trade schools, students learn about subjects and skills that will empower them in their careers.
In formal education contexts, instructional designers build educational experiences for learners that range in scope from single lessons and units, to educational software and games for learning, to large-scale, multistate programs and degree programs at colleges. Instructional designers can also specialize in evaluation and assessment of student knowledge and learning for better understanding how students progress through the formal education systems and how educational initiatives might be improved.
Formal education is an industry in which learning is the primary product. Typically, at the end of participation in a formal education program, students are awarded degrees, certificates, or other credentials that signal a student's competence in the field of study.
Examples of formal education contexts:
- K-12 schools
- Nontraditional K-12 education (e.g., homeschool, online K-12 school, alternative high schools, GED)
- Colleges and universities
- Trade schools and apprenticeships