Final answer:
Formal education describes institutional learning within schools and colleges, tracing back to ancient Greece. The Industrial Revolution enabled wider access to such education, which is distinct from informal education that involves learning societal norms and practical skills. Formal education has evolved to include both classical academic subjects and vocational training.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formal education is defined as the structured, institutionalized, and systemic learning that takes place within the confines of a public or private school, college, university, or technical school. This form of education has evolved over centuries, with roots stretching back to the era of ancient Greek philosophers and scholars who pursued knowledge through well-established methods. Initially, formal education was a privilege of the higher classes who had the resources and leisure time to dedicate to scholarly pursuits.
However, the Industrial Revolution catalyzed societal changes that broadened access to education, thereby enabling the expanding middle class to reap the benefits of schooling. Formal education encompasses a formal curriculum that imparts academic facts and concepts, a tradition that has continued to be built upon and refined throughout history. This contrasted with informal education, which focuses on the acquisition of cultural values, norms, and everyday practical skills through societal engagement and does not occur within a formal classroom setting.
Attention to education also led to new school formations and the opportunity for social development in classroom environments. With the changing economic landscape, the value of both academic and vocational skills gained recognition, resulting in the integration of courses designed to prepare students for specific trades and the business world, alongside traditional liberal arts education.