Productive Learning (PL)

(2nd congress of INEPS in 1992 in Peniche/Portugal)Definition of Productive Learning by INEPS-Members

"Productive Learning is an educational process leading to the development of a person's role in the community as well as bringing about change within the community itself. The process is realized by an itinerary of product-oriented activities in real life situations in an educational experience within a group that is facilitated by educators."

Productive Learning – what does it mean?

Characteristics What does it mean?
Personal Learning Programme
(personal aspect)
  • Point of departure is the person
  • The educational process relates to the Individual
  • The quality and results of the learning process are to be defined and measured against the starting off point
  • Individual learning requires an Individual Curriculum
  • Education as personality formation
Activity in Practice
(Activity aspect)
  • Participation of young people in “real-life situations”
  • Learning on the basis of experiences
  • Exploratory journey through which the “world is explored” but the “self”
Knowledge & Culture as Tools
(Cultural aspect)
  • Education as the meaningful use of (cultural) tools
  • Acquisition of cultural techniques
  • Development of methodical competencies