A structural analysis of the R. Kahane code of informality: Elements toward a theory of informal education

Abstract

Reuven Kahane's code of informality, which identifies and defines eight "internal structural components," provides one of the few theoretical guides in the field of informal education. As a contribution to the development of a theoretical basis for empirical studies in this field, we wanted to uncover the underlying structural organization of these internal structural components. In a multidimensional analysis of Kahane's data, we found this structure of Kahane's eight components of informality along two axes. The first represents objects to which the structural components are applied: group, content, and activities. The second axis illustrates the components' expected impact - a process beginning with identification, moving through experimentation, and culminating in commitment. The process of experimentation represents a major contribution to the field on Kahane's part and is especially relevant to an understanding of education in a "post-modern" era. However, we found two gaps in the structure, possibly indicating missing components. Further analysis suggests that three of the components (modularity, pragmatic symbolism, and voluntarism) form a foundation of this structure and may be the minimal requirements for an understanding of informal activities and organizations.