Volunteer Work, Informal Learning and Social Action

Publisher Marketing: Since most research on work focuses on paid work, and most literature on education concentrates on schools, it is not surprising that studies on the relations between work and learning emphasize the relations between paid employment and organized education. This unique book deals with an area that has been rarely covered in the literature on work and education: the connections between volunteer work and informal learning. Through a variety of examples, ranging from the Red Cross to teacher-labourers, from cooperatives to social housing, and from participatory democracy to environmental social movements, this volume examines the learning dimension of volunteer work in different contexts. It also considers the special case of volunteerism among recent immigrants. The case studies analyze three basic types of voluntary organizations: those providing social services, representing local communities and mobilizing for social change. The chapters include profiles of the actual work their members do and detailed accounts of the learning practices they are engaged in during their work, and the impact of such learning on their personal and professional development. The concluding chapter offers a comparative analysis, practical recommendations and steps for further research. Contributor Bio:  Schugurensky, Daniel Richard Bailey is a writer and theorist on education and sport. A former teacher in both primary and secondary schools and a teacher trainer, he has been Professor at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, University of Roehampton, UK, and, most recently, University of Birmingham, UK. He has written more than 100 publications, including books, academic and professional articles and journalism.