Search results for: Informal education

This study aimed to investigate the influence of an integrated experiential learning and action research project on preservice science teachers’ developing ideas about science teaching, learning, and action research itself. The data indicated that all participants gained enhanced understandings of children as diverse learners and the importance of prior knowledge in science learning. Shifts in thinking were observed for two of the in-depth case study students, while one, showed little change.

The purpose of this study was to examine the partnership and roles of an informal educator and a classroom teacher. The authors also sought to define this relationship in order to gain insight into the roles of each educator. In addition, this study explored student outcomes as a result of the partnership. Findings suggest that a partnership of only moderate commitment may be needed for students to learn from programs and that during the programs each educator hold distinct roles. Furthermore, the roles played by the classroom teacher included classroom management, making connections to classroom activities and curricula, and clarifying concepts. Consistent with previous examinations in science education of educator roles, the informal educator’s role was to provide the students with expertise and resources not readily available to them.

This study examines science learning experiences within a formal course structure that reaches out to informal learning environments. The six strands of science learning provide a framework for interpreting the prospective teachers’ responses to the friends and family assignments. The findings reveal that aspects of all six strands were evident in the responses, showing that the prospective teachers experienced increased interest and motivation, remembered and used scientific concepts and explanations, reflected on the process of learning for themselves and others, and actively participated in science activities. Involving friends and family outside of the class created ways for learners to think about and use their science knowledge across contexts.

The goal of this study was to investigate teachers’ uptake of different learning opportunities from the beginning to the end of the teaching career. The authors focused on in-service training as an example of formal learning opportunities and on teacher collaboration and the use of professional literature as two examples of informal learning opportunities. Results showed that formal learning opportunities (in-service training) were used most frequently by mid-career teachers, whereas informal learning opportunities showed distinct patterns across the teaching career.