Nonintentional Learning (Incidental Learning)

Nonintentional learning, more popularly known as incidental learning, is not planned and is acquired by a generally unrelated activity. This indirect or accidental form of learning is also termed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as “random learning” which may happen at any time and place in a person’s everyday life. Moreover, this can occur through exposure to new material.

For instance, as children, many of us were exposed to skills or knowledge held by parents, siblings or friends; cooking, wood-working, gardening, game-playing, etc. that we absorbed just by close association with these activities.