Distance learning and non-formal education: Existing trends and new possibilities of distance learning experiences

:The purpose of this article is to review the characteristics of non-formal education as expressed in various academic-theoretical definitions, to present the links in this field to distance learning and to recommend future directions for exploring distance learning in non-formal education. The field of non-formal education as expressed in its diverse forms is explained, as are distance learning in general and the connection between these two fields. Existing links are discussed and new possibilities of joint non-formal and distance learning concepts are proposed. The summary deals with a number of problematic points that arise from the use of distance learning especially in non-formal education frameworks.