Informal Learning Experiences Research Articles

The Acquisition of Error Competence and the Value of (learning from) Errors in Teacher Education from the Perspectives of Teachers in Finland and Germany

Teachers' everyday error management in the classroom is one important aspect of their professional competence. This comprises conceptual knowledge about (the learning potential of) misconceptions and student errors, adaptive attitudes and orientations about errors as learning opportunities, and adaptive classroom management in error situations. The purpose of this study was to explore whether teacher education prepares teachers to meet these expectations and where teachers gain these facets of error competence. We analyzed 27 problem-centered interviews with Finnish and German teachers of different subjects and different school forms. Using MAXQDA, the data were coded into six categories, ranging from informal learning experiences to formal learning situations during teacher training. We identified various experiences and attitudes in the teachers' narratives. Our findings indicate that from the teachers' points of view and recollections of experiences, teacher education in both countries provides few intentional learning opportunities for developing professional error competence.

Lines of Flight and Nomadic Trajectories: Visualising Rhizomatic Learning with Cartography

Aim. This article presents the research on using cartography as a research method based on Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s (2004) insights. The aim of the study – to unfold and visualise students' learning experiences in non-formal and informal learning contexts beyond the classroom. Methods. Cartography and rhizoanalysis. Cartography is a method of mapping (Wilmott, 2020). In order to create rhizomatic maps we used Deleuze and Guattari (2004) theoretical insights. The rhizoanalysis (Masny, 2015) was carried out according to Deleuze and Guattari’s (2004) rhizome principles: connectivity and heterogeneity multiplicity and rupture, cartography and decalcomania. The rhizoanalysis simultaneously reveals Alecia Youngblood Jackson and Lisa Mazzei's (2012) process of "thinking with theory". Thirty-eight students from upper-grade classes participated in this research. Each student’s learning path was depicted as their rhizomatic journeys, using various concepts such as nomads, lines of flight, becoming. Results. The rhizoanalysis makes it possible to reveal students’ rhizomatic learning experiences, areas of interest and learning styles. Such a map challenges an existing hierarchical framework and conveys how students’ freely make connections through lines of flight and create their own learning paths. Conclusions. This study demonstrates cartography as a useful methodology for visualising students’ learning experiences. Also, this study is unique and distinctive because it reveals the nomadic trajectories of individual learners and offers a thorough investigation of their activity destinations. The researchers of this study advise that students' non-formal and informal learning experiences be included into their formal education by using nomadic pedagogy.

STEM Outside of School: a Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Informal Science Education on Students' Interests and Attitudes for STEM

AbstractThis meta-analysis explores the impact of informal science education experiences (such as after-school programs, enrichment activities, etc.) on students' attitudes towards, and interest in, STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The research addresses two primary questions: (1) What is the overall effect size of informal science learning experiences on students' attitudes towards and interest in STEM? (2) How do various moderating factors (e.g., types of informal learning experience, student grade level, academic subjects, etc.) impact student attitudes and interests in STEM? The studies included in this analysis were conducted within the United States in K-12 educational settings, over a span of thirty years (1992–2022). The findings indicate a positive association between informal science education programs and student interest in STEM. Moreover, the variability in these effects is contingent upon several moderating factors, including the nature of the informal science program, student grade level, STEM subjects, publication type, and publication year. Summarized effects of informal science education on STEM interest are delineated, and the implications for research, pedagogy, and practice are discussed.

Disconnected Connections of Learning Beyond Formal Schooling Through Human–Computer–Human Interactions

AbstractThis article originated from a working group on “Learning beyond formal schooling through human–computer–human interaction (HCHI)” convened at the UNESCO EDUSummIT 2023 in Kyoto (Japan). A polylogue approach was adopted by engaging eight co-authors whose diverse perspectives culminated in propositions that addressed the pivotal question: How should the connections between formal, non-formal, and informal learning be considered in a digitally mediated world? Formal learning is typically structured, organized and chronologically arranged institutional learning, whereas informal learning is associated with everyday learning across contexts throughout one’s life, and non-formal learning is a hybrid of these forms of learning. Considering the growing prominence of informal and non-formal learning in a digitally mediated world, the evolving learning ecosystem calls for a recalibration of the emphasis on formal learning. In this regard, HCHI has the potential to mediate human–human interactions, thereby bridging formal and informal learning. Our articulated position is to preserve the distinct boundaries and inherent complexities of each type of learning while creating opportunities or ‘bridges’ to authentically draw on the processes of each through meaningful actions. The polylogue yielded three propositions to bridge the connections between formal, non-formal and informal learning spaces in a digitally mediated world: (a) formal education institutions can establish strategic alliances and collaborations with learning organizations beyond the formal educational system, (b) the creation of digital learning communities within formal and non-formal spaces exemplify a paradigm of operation in an unregulated, student-centric cohesive space where the educator is a co-participant, (c) the recognition of the value of informal learning experiences by formal education institutions is critical, with emphasis on the learning process rather than the product.

Exploring Pre-Service Teacher Professional Learning on Their Preparedness for Teaching Practicum

The teaching practicum is essential in pre-service teacher education, allowing aspiring teachers to apply theoretical knowledge in real classrooms. It helps them to develop practical skills, build communication abilities, and connect with clients, colleagues, and mentors. This study investigates pre-service teachers' perceptions of their readiness for teaching practicums, the influencing factors, and the contribution of professional learning programs on their preparedness. Using a mixed-method approach with an explanatory sequential design, the research was conducted in Metro City, Lampung. Data were collected through a close-ended questionnaire from 80 pre-service teachers and semi-structured interviews with 9 pre-service teachers who were ready as the volunteers. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that professional learning programs significantly enhance preparedness in pedagogical training, content knowledge, classroom management, understanding diverse student needs, and technology integration. These programs boost confidence, competence, and the ability to create effective learning environments. Informal learning, such as roles as teaching assistants and using social media, also contributes significantly to innovative teaching. Integrating formal and informal learning experiences is crucial for the holistic development of pre-service teachers

Parent psychological distress and beliefs about nurturing care: Associations with parent investments and early child development in Ethiopia.

Parental engagement in stimulating activities and support in both formal and informal learning environments are important for early childhood development. However, little is known about how parental mental health and beliefs about early childhood development shape such investments. We draw on a sample of young children and their primary caregiver from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (N = 3,000; Mage = 34.1 months; 48.5% girls) and examine how parental distress and beliefs predict investments in learning at home and how these, in turn, predict children's development across multiple domains. We examine these associations separately for infants/toddlers (0-35 months) and preschool-aged children (36-72 months), for whom enrollment in preprimary school is also included as an additional form of parent investment. Results showed different patterns of associations between the two age groups. Specifically, for infants and toddlers, parental distress and beliefs did not predict parent investments or child outcomes, but both access to learning materials and cognitive stimulation at home positively predicted child development in every domain. For preschool-aged children, parental beliefs positively predicted hours in preschool, and parental distress negatively predicted the availability of learning materials and cognitive stimulation at home; these three forms of parent investments each positively predicted children's outcomes across all developmental domains. Collectively, these findings deepen our understanding of parent factors that shape children's formal and informal learning experiences and point to several important areas for future research to more fully understand early childhood development in low-resource contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Embracing informal learning experiences to support science and mathematics education

Embracing informal learning experiences to support science and mathematics education

Examining an Evolving Biologically Inspired Design Professional Learning Environment through Conjecture Mapping and Design-Based Research.

Biologically inspired design (BID) in engineering is a convergent, systematic approach that uses analogies from biological organisms to develop solutions for human engineering and design problems. Based on outcomes from prior studies of integrating BID in higher education, incorporating BID into pre-college education is a logical evolution. For effective BID instruction of these convergent concepts in pre-college education, teachers need to be well-equipped with biological, engineering, and pedagogical knowledge, both in general and those unique to the convergent, still evolving discipline. In this paper, we investigate the Professional Learning (professional learning) environment designed to foster engineering teachers' understanding of BID integration in engineering and to determine to what extent the evolving professional learning environment fostered engineering teachers' conceptual knowledge of BID across the three-year project. This design study applies conjecture mapping with design-based research (DBR) to examine a professional learning environment that changed over three summers and its impact on teachers' conceptual understanding of BID integration in engineering. The analysis indicates that a combination of experiential and informal learning experiences along with engagement in a formal design challenge promoted teacher enthusiasm and a conceptual understanding of BID across the three years. Professional learning fostered teachers' understanding of BID integration in engineering and enabled them to integrate BID into their engineering teaching practice.

Occupational Identity Development through Informal Learning Experiences at Lifelong Educator

Occupational Identity Development through Informal Learning Experiences at Lifelong Educator

Learning to identify fake news and digital misinformation: lessons for educators

ABSTRACT This UK-based study examines how people learned to identify digital misinformation. This included what experiences enabled this development, and the skills that were acquired in the process. This is a small-scale qualitative study of participants who self-reported as being confident in spotting digital misinformation and the data was analysed using a thematic network model. The three main themes identified were: “Formal Learning”, “Informal Learning”, and “Sense of Self”. Participants reported that their formal educational experiences at primary and secondary school were largely unhelpful in their development of digital media literacy. Although a university education was identified as enabling the acquisition of some useful skills such as cross-referencing and critical thinking, participants acquired most of their abilities to identify digital misinformation from what is best characterised as their informal learning experiences, most notable of which was the establishment of a strong sense of self-awareness. This was pivotal to the monitoring of emotional triggers which are often the crux of digital misinformation. This paper also highlights the importance of critical pedagogy which promotes an awareness of wider power structures underpinning what is now being widely referred to as “surveillance capitalism”. In conclusion, it is suggested that formal education could learn much from these informal educational processes which have been identified as being helpful in building criticality, which is in turn integral to producing more digital media-literate citizens, and a population more resilient to digital misinformation.

Turkey-based Civil Engineers’ Intentional Informal Learning Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Turkey-based Civil Engineers’ Intentional Informal Learning Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How are social context factors related to epistemological beliefs, motivations, and achievement in science? A serial mediation model

ABSTRACT Background Epistemological beliefs and motivational factors are significant predictors of achievement in science. Purpose To understand how social context factors shape epistemological beliefs and motivational factors and how they pass the influences to achievement in science. Sample A population of ninth graders in an underdeveloped region of southwest China (N = 2655). Design and Methods With science achievement test scores and survey data from the sample, we built a structural equation model on how the students’ epistemological beliefs and motivational factors mediate the effects of a set of social context factors on their achievement in science. Gender and rural-urban differences are also explored. Results Intrinsic motivation and epistemological beliefs significantly predicted achievements in science. Epistemological beliefs directly and indirectly affected achievement in science, with intrinsic motivation mediating its indirect effects. Among the social context factors, teacher influence and informal learning experiences positively predicted epistemological beliefs; family encouragement negatively predicted epistemological beliefs; only informal learning experiences directly affected intrinsic motivation. Significant rural-urban and gender differences were found. Conclusion Access to informal science learning experiences can play a crucial role in transforming the social environments in underdeveloped regions, promoting students’ epistemological development and intrinsic motivation, and, in turn, their achievement in science. Fostering students’ epistemological development may also require identifying and reconciling the conflicts between epistemological messages from home and school.

STEMing together: a comparison of co-ed and all-female informal learning environments

STEMing together: a comparison of co-ed and all-female informal learning environments

From Craftsmanship to Connectivity

Apprenticeship is a long-valued form of workforce learning. Historical models of craft apprentices learning a trade from a master have prevailed for centuries. In more recent eras, apprenticeship programs have proliferated in industrial sectors and are now facing a revival in corporate settings (Fuller & Sigelman, 2017; Federal Reserve Bank, 2019). However, corporate programs today face different challenges than earlier renditions. Specifically, programs today must enable learning outcomes in a digital context, as professional work today increasingly involves digital or hybrid working environments. Much of the existing literature on apprenticeship focuses on the nature of the craft apprenticeship or the specific features of cognitive apprenticeship within a developmental relationship. Given the rapidly growing number of modern corporate apprenticeship programs, it is essential to understand how learning happens in these dynamic environments. This paper analyzes interview data and five participant case studies to examine a modern corporate apprenticeship program at a multinational consulting firm. The program is a full-time and fully paid learning and working experience for non-degree candidates. It operates in 40 cities across the United States and has enrolled over 2,000 apprentices. Apprentices have formal and informal learning experiences throughout the program, including on-the-job learning. They also work in geographically dispersed teams via a hybrid workplace that is predominantly virtual. Emic themes reveal that digital tools afford apprentices access to a broader networking environment, level up independently, engage in informal betterment with experienced others, and participate in shared discovery and problem-solving with peers. However, situated learning in a project context and strong relationships with various experienced others are equally essential to the digital tools. Drawing upon epistemic lenses of learning that consider how technologies enable learning across multiple activities, environments, and relationships, these findings paint a picture of how apprentices collaboratively engage in value-generating activities as mediated by technology and engage in networked learning.

Professors' Informal Learning in their Workplace: The Case of Nepali University

This study explores how Nepali professors engage in informal learning practices in their workplace and identify the potential for creating a conducive learning environment We conducted in-depth interviews with five Nepali professors using a qualitative case study approach to explore their informal learning experiences at their workplace. The study revealed that professors engage in informal learning through various methods, such as enacting job roles, reflecting on work experiences, interacting with colleagues, seeking feedback, and initiating self-learning through reading, online courses, professional networks, and formal training programs. However, organizational constraints hindered their self-initiated learning activities. Future research can examine the organization constraints influencing self-initiated learning among professors. This study contributes to the limited research on informal learning among professors in the workplace of developing countries and emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive learning environment for their professional growth.

Are Professional Skills Learnable? Beliefs and Expectations Among Computing Graduates

Integrating graduate education with professional skills development is still a challenge. People's beliefs about learning impact their learning processes. Therefore, we need to understand the mindset of graduates to determine best practices for promoting professional skills development. In this study, we explore the perspective of computing graduates within an Engineering educational program. This study aims to answer the following research questions: Which skills do computing graduates perceive they need in the workplace, and how do they position themselves regarding these skills? What learning beliefs do computing graduates hold regarding the skills required in the workplace? The research team conducted semistructured interviews with computing graduates within an Engineering program to analyze their experiences. The interviews were analyzed using grounded theory. As a result, the participants viewed professional and technical skills as independent, with professional skills perceived as more relevant to work success. The participants considered themselves to possess these skills. Our findings identify four learning beliefs within a fixed and growth mindset: (1) An essential personal characteristic that context may influence; (2) a learning outcome determined by early experiences; (3) a learning process associated with informal learning experiences; and (4) a learning process associated with formal learning experiences. We acknowledge the differences in perception between alums and the industry regarding possessing essential professional skills. We also highlight the need to position these skills as learnable during lectures contributing to Computing and Engineering Education.

House Officers and Junior Residents’ formal and informal learning experience during their practical year compared to the national competency framework, a qualitative study

House Officers and Junior Residents’ formal and informal learning experience during their practical year compared to the national competency framework, a qualitative study

Selecting project management ICT tools for informal education of IT professionals

Information technology's rapid development necessitates continuously updating IT professionals' skills and competencies. This study aims to select appropriate project management ICT tools to facilitate the informal education of IT company employees. The study utilized the expert evaluation method to formulate criteria and indicators for evaluating and selecting ICT tools across six categories: communication, planning, documentation, visualization and collaboration, software development, and real-time presentation feedback. Experts from leading IT companies assessed and ranked the proposed ICT tools based on the established criteria. The results identified Microsoft Teams for communication, Microsoft Project for planning, Microsoft 365 suite for documentation, Mural for visualization and collaboration, Azure DevOps for software development, and Mentimeter for real-time presentation feedback as the most suitable tools for informal education in IT companies. The selected ICT tools constitute a comprehensive toolkit to streamline educational activities and enhance informal learning experiences for IT professionals. The findings provide a foundation for implementing informal education programs within IT company resources, leveraging the selected project management ICT tools.

Qu’est-ce qui motive les décisions liées aux médias sociaux des étudiants et des étudiantes en soins infirmiers dans leurs pratiques d’apprentissage? Une étude menée dans une École de soins infirmiers de l’Ontario

Social media can provide a tool for nursing students to consolidate their formal and informal learning experiences. The objective of this study was to explore what drives nursing students’ decisions to use social media in their formal and informal learning. This study surveyed 220 nursing students at one Ontario School of Nursing. IBM SPSS (v. 24) was used to calculate frequency counts, Chi-Square Tests for Independence, and Spearman Correlations. A modified directed content analysis was conducted on the open-ended response data. Numerous drivers affect nursing students’ decisions to use social media for learning purposes. These include: 1) their nursing programs; 2) their professors’ attitudes towards social media; 3) their age and perceived levels of experience using social media; 4) the convenience of accessing learning content online; and 5) barriers like privacy, quality and reliability of social media-based learning content, and the potential for distraction. As a result of these findings, there is a strong rationale to further explore the ways in which social media can be used in both formal and informal nursing education.

Virtual Teaching Together: engaging parents and young children in STEM activities.

Early informal learning experiences are essential for sparking long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In a prior study, we found more promising parent involvement outcomes when families of young children were provided with STEM family education events along with home STEM activity kits compared to providing workshops alone. This study was a conceptual replication using the same program-Teaching Together STEM-to deliver educational workshops plus home activity kits; however, we varied the delivery method by using virtual "funshops" to evaluate if parents perceived this modality as feasible and useful. Museum informal science educators introduced four units via virtual video chat sessions linked to 12 hands-on STEM activities that were mailed to families randomly assigned to the treatment group. Half of the families were assigned to a waitlist control group that received a portion of the virtual program after the posttest. Participants included 60 families with children aged 3 to 5 years from diverse linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our results indicate no significant group differences in the primary outcome of parents' involvement in informal STEM but a small, positive effect size (ES = 0.18) that was similar in magnitude to the prior, in-person study. Although parents mostly perceived the remote delivery as convenient and the materials as engaging for their child, there were no significant program impacts on children's general science interests (ES = -0.19). Despite the convenience, parents reported time was a barrier to doing STEM activities at home. Parents with lower education levels were less likely to attend, suggesting virtual approaches are not sufficient for ensuring broad access to family engagement programs for populations underrepresented in STEM.