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The definition of education is living life. We are constantly being educated, regardless of age or race. There are two types of education: formal and informal. Formal education is what a person receives from the age of five in structured classrooms, be it public or private, through college. The quality of this formal education solely depends on where one may live, or how much money one's parents may have. In my opinion, public education is a hit or miss. The school system may be well reputed, but I assure you, there will be classrooms in this system that aren't up to par. This could be for many reasons; inexperienced teachers, teacher burnout, very disruptive students, and the list could go on. There is not a national standard, so schools across our country are completely different. A child, therefore, gets a formal education, through schools, but not necessarily one of excellence.

The second type of education is informal. People of all ages receive this type of education throughout their lives. Let's begin from birth. Babies are taught from birth, first how to suckle. They are taught how to eat, talk, and walk, usually by family. Each year of life brings about different types of informal education. Don't doubt there aren't things being learned on the playground in play groups. In every sports arena coaches are dispersing wisdom. Sunday school classes across the nation are guiding children through the doctrine of their particular faith.

Technology is a leader in informal education. Television is probably at the top of this list still. No one escapes the stretch of this educator. Humans are obsessed with tv. Age is not relevant. Computers come closely behind, gaining importance in our famliy lifestyles everyday. The learning curve on the computer is limitless. Teachers cannot compete with the entertainment industry. Lessons are being learned everyday through the media. I'm not pro or con, just stating the facts. How many of us grew up watching Sesame Steet and the The Magic Schoolbus?

And then, living, itself, is an informal education. We feel emotions; love, hate, happiness, sadness, and disppointment. We experiment, sometimes we succeed and grow. Sometimes we fall and fail. How we respond to all of these things is a learning experience. When a person is no longer learning, he is no longer living. Because everyday is a learning experience!

Learn more about this author, Janet Gregor.
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