Informal Learning Institutions Research Articles

Model Pembelajaran Online Maharah Al- Kalam di Pusat Kursus Bahasa Arab Pondok “ Takallam” Pare Kediri Jawa Timur

The selection of online learning models, especially for students, shows that the application of learning speaking skills is said to be unable to function perfectly without the formation of an active component and a linguistic environment. In addition, most of the Arabic language activists also have difficulty developing speaking skills due to space and time constraints. But in essence, language environments can be created not only through direct learning interactions, but also through distance learning programs. Therefore, one of the alternative learning methods that they can take to further develop their speaking skills is to take several online Arabic courses through informal learning institutions at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course, Pare Kediri, East Java. The researcher used this research with descriptive and qualitative research types. This research was conducted at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course in Pare Kediri, East Java. The subject of this research is a tutor or online class teacher at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course at Pare Kediri, East Java. Meanwhile, the informants in this study were the director of the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course Institute Pare Kediri, East Java and participants of online class learning. The data collection methods that researchers use to obtain the data needed in writing this research, namely the method of observation, interviews and documentation. Test the validity of the data through source triangulation, technical triangulation, and temporal triangulation. While the data analysis technique was carried out in different stages, namely analysis before going into the field, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results show that the online learning model of speaking skills at the Takallam Institute of Arabic Language Course in Pare Kediri, East Java, can run smoothly and inject the purpose of teaching speaking skills, meaning that participants can understand and practice speaking Arabic fluently. Learning speaking skills is carried out with the online maharah kalam learning model at the Takallam Institute Arabic Language Course Institute, Pare Kediri, East Java and is a type of direct learning model by applying the special "Takallam" method to improve speaking skills or mukalamah bil lughotil arabiyyah.

Trend of Collaboration in STEM Education in Informal Learning Institutions Based on IMLS‐funded Projects

ABSTRACTThere is limited systematic research on understanding the trends of STEM education in libraries. While reviews of STEM education from various funding agencies exist, these reviews encompass STEM education across formal and informal settings, which may not provide specific implications that center around libraries. This paper examines the trend of collaboration among libraries and other collaborating organizations involved in STEM education funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Through content analysis and geocode analysis of 128 projects that are funded by IMLS in 2012–2022, this study shows the diverse engagement of different types of informal learning institutions in STEM education over time. Findings also demonstrate that while few informal learning institutions represented the leading and collaborating organizations in IMLS STEM education initially, leading and collaborating organizations diversified with a higher level of collaboration.

Educating the Public about Illegal Wildlife Trade: Commonalities in Investigating Messages for Visitors

ABSTRACT The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a serious issue that threatens many species worldwide. Zoos and aquariums are in a prime position to educate visitors about this issue and work to reduce the impact of IWT. This article describes the work of four zoos across the United States that tested different ways to engage with visitors and broader communities regarding the topic of IWT. While each zoo used unique techniques to engage with the public, the authors identified common lessons learned that are relevant to all informal learning institutions interested in messaging complex topics to their audiences. The authors describe three commonalities that should be considered in the development of educational tools and messages: semantics and word choices, message framing, and the need for cultural sensitivity and respect when discussing challenging topics.

Factors Affecting Zoo Visitors’ Conservation Beliefs and Knowledge of Large Carnivores in 2009 and a Dozen Years Later

Teaching in a formal learning environment mainly focuses on gaining knowledge, and scarcely on the development of pro-environmental attitudes. Knowledge can also be gained in informal learning institutions, such as zoos, and their potential use in general public education should not be neglected. This paper explores factors influencing the conservation beliefs of zoo visitors about brown bears, grey wolves, and Eurasian lynx. The study undertaken in Zoo Ljubljana (Slovenia) consisted of surveys performed in 2009 (n = 613) and in 2021 (n = 257). The levels of knowledge and education influenced both supporting and opposing beliefs about the three large carnivore species. The gender factor was less uniform: both supporting and opposing beliefs about lynx were demonstrated, but only opposing beliefs about brown bear and wolf. The study indicates that knowledge has the most significant influence on conservation beliefs, thus highlighting the importance of educational and communication activities in management and conservation actions regarding large carnivore species. The varied gender influence suggests that species-specific educational activities should be encouraged.

Tell Me About Your Visit With the Lions: Eliciting Event Narratives to Examine Children's Memory and Learning During Summer Camp at a Local Zoo.

School-aged children often participate in school field trips, summer camps or visits at informal learning institutions like zoos and museums. However, relatively little is known about children’s memory and learning from these experiences, what types of event details and facts are retained, how retention varies across age, and whether different patterns are observed for different types of experiences. We aimed to answer these questions through a partnership with a local zoo. Four- to 10-year-old children (N = 122) participated in a weeklong summer camp, during which they engaged in dynamic events, including visits to zoo animals. On the last day of camp, we elicited autobiographical event narratives for two types of experiences: a child-selected animal event (visit to their favorite animal) and an experimenter-selected animal event. We coded event narratives for length and breadth using previously used autobiographical memory (AM) narrative coding schemes. In addition, we created a coding scheme to examine retention of semantic information (facts). We report the types of autobiographical event details and facts children recalled in their narratives, as well as age group differences that were found to vary depending on the type of information and type of event. Through this naturalistic, yet controlled, study we gain insights into how children remember and learn through hands-on activities and exploration in this engaging and dynamic environment. We discuss how our results provide novel information that can be used by informal learning institutions to promote children’s memory and retention of science facts.

The problem of play in children’s museums

Play is central to the purpose of most American children’s museums and often highlighted as an attribute that makes them distinct from other types of museums and informal learning institutions. However, play is also problematic in that it is often ill-defined and ill-understood within society more broadly. This article describes a recent research study conducted by The Children’s Museum Research Network. The study’s purpose was to better understand how children’s museums conceptualize play and how they position themselves and their work relative to play. Professionals were interviewed at 49 children’s museums. Results suggest that while the majority perceived play as important for their mission, only half of the respondents said their children’s museum had the word play in its mission and even fewer had institutional definitions of play. This reveals tensions around the concept of play and the need for the development of more robust definitions.

Practical Rubrics for Informal Science Education Studies: (1) a STEM Research Design Rubric for Assessing Study Design and a (2) STEM Impact Rubric for Measuring Evidence of Impact

Informal learning institutions, such as museums, science centers, and community-based organizations, play a critical role in providing opportunities for students to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities during out-of-school time hours. In recent years, thousands of studies, evaluations, and conference proceedings have been published measuring the impact that these programs have had on their participants. However, because studies of informal science education (ISE) programs vary considerably in how they are designed and in the quality of their designs, it is often quite difficult to assess their impact on participants. Knowing whether the outcomes reported by these studies are supported with sufficient evidence is important not only for maximizing participant impact, but also because there are considerable economic and human resources invested to support informal learning initiatives. To address this problem, I used the theories of impact analysis and triangulation as a framework for developing user-friendly rubrics for assessing quality of research designs and evidence of impact. I used two main sources, research-based recommendations from STEM governing bodies and feedback from a focus group, to identify criteria indicative of high-quality STEM research and study design. Accordingly, I developed three STEM Research Design Rubrics, one for quantitative studies, one for qualitative studies, and another for mixed methods studies, that can be used by ISE researchers, practitioners, and evaluators to assess research design quality. Likewise, I developed three STEM Impact Rubrics, one for quantitative studies, one for qualitative studies, and another for mixed methods studies, that can be used by ISE researchers, practitioners, and evaluators to assess evidence of outcomes. The rubrics developed in this study are practical tools that can be used by ISE researchers, practitioners, and evaluators to improve the field of informal science learning by increasing the quality of study design and for discerning whether studies or program evaluations are providing sufficient evidence of impact.

Astronomers Engaging with the Education Ecosystem: A Best-Evidence Synthesis

Astronomers have played many roles in their engagement with the larger astronomy education ecosystem. Their activities have served both the formal and informal education communities worldwide, with levels of involvement from the occasional participant to the full-time professional. We discuss these many diverse roles, giving background, context, and perspective on their value in encouraging and improving astronomy education. This review covers the large amounts of new research on best practices for diverse learning environments. This evidence-based perspective can support astronomers in contributing to the broad astronomy education ecosystem in more productive and efficient ways and in identifying new niches and approaches for developing the science capital necessary for a science literate society and for greater involvement of underrepresented groups in the science enterprise. Current research emphasizes the importance of ▪ The formation of science ideas in children and the development of their science identity ▪ The design of professional development programs for educators ▪ Museums and other informal learning institutions and settings ▪ The use of astronomical data and immersion experiences ▪ Shifting the astronomy education paradigm using new approaches with diverse audiences

Design principles for transforming making programs into online settings at public libraries

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate design principles for transforming existing making communities of practice within public libraries into online knowledge-building communities to support youths, families with young children and adult members’ making and tinkering during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachBuilding upon C4P and connected learning framework, the authors analyze existing literature and practitioner reports on informal learning projects related to making and STEM learning, family learning and online learning as well as emergent cases of innovative approaches in response to COVID-19 from public libraries, informal learning institutions and community groups.FindingsThe authors suggest 11 design principles around five areas: program design, facilitation, tools and materials, process documentation and sharing and feedback.Originality/valueThis work contributes to the information and learning sciences concerned with community engagement and knowledge creation by suggesting a design model to transform and sustain existing making communities of practice within public libraries into online knowledge-building communities during COVID-19.

Multi-Site Case Studies About Zoo and Aquarium Visitors’ Perceptions of the STEM Learning Ecology

Informal learning institutions like zoos, aquariums, science centers, and botanic gardens are popular among the American public. Many offer science-related activities, suggesting an “ecology” of sites varying in degree with regards to science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) learning in general. Understanding public perceptions of the STEM learning ecology can inform decisions about increasing STEM literacy in the United States. The current qualitative study used interactive workshops to understand the public’s perceptions of zoos and aquariums (Z/As) in particular, compared to other settings, for their potential to support STEM learning. Visitors identified a wide range of settings in institutions and their everyday lives where they experienced STEM learning opportunities. The primary STEM discipline they encountered was science, even though the opportunities were not explicit. They also recognized that these settings offer the potential for learning about technology, engineering, and math through staff facilitation. They distinguished Z/As from other cultural organizations because of opportunities to learn about science as it related to animals. Implications for STEM learning in informal settings are discussed for its potential to engage the public in STEM outside of the formal education context.

Becoming a naturalist: Interest development across the learning ecology

AbstractEngagement with and study of nature is increasingly important for science literacy and civic engagement. Spurred on by challenges of the Anthropocene, many informal learning institutions are exploring how their collections, programs, and scientific expertise can be mobilized to create new naturalist learning pathways for children and youth. In this paper, we explore retrospective life histories of 18 adult naturalists to examine experiences that they recall supporting their interest development in the natural world. Drawing on interest and informal learning literature, our analysis reveals how elements across the learning ecology, including school, family, and out‐of‐school learning, work together to support the development of naturalist practices and identities. We found that interest development in nature occurred across the learning ecology and that expression of situational or individual interest depended on the participants’ age and the type of learning experience. A closer examination of three individual cases—a serious amateur naturalist, an environmental educator, and an ecologist—reveals some of the nuanced ways that interest in nature arises, is maintained, and can eventually develop into a deep, lifelong naturalist identity. We consider implications for how one might conceptualize and support informal learning pathways that involve deep engagement with and connections to nature.

Begin at the Beginning: A Constructionist Model for Interpreting Data Visualizations

AbstractWithin museums and science centers, the visual presentation of data represents a timely, relevant, and formidable interpretive challenge. Tackling this challenge head on, however, means employing a series of principles that position educators to support learners of all skill levels in interpreting data visualizations more generally. In this article, we introduce the Simplicity‐Familiarity Matrix, a research‐driven model for situating complex data visualizations in the context of exhibition design. This model emerges from a study of data literacy that was undertaken at five informal learning institutions, along with established principles of constructionist approaches to teaching. Specifically, it highlights key affordances and challenges we associate with data visualizations along two spectra: simplicity and familiarity. We propose the Simplicity‐Familiarity Matrix, along with criteria for each quadrant, to assist museum professionals when designing interpretative materials for an exhibition space. In light of these considerations, we close with several guiding principles for supporting learners’ apprehension of data visualizations in museums: (1) including the use of well‐designed, easy‐to‐understand data visualizations, (2) providing appropriate support and guidance, (3) offering multiple modes of access, and (4) making data visualizations relevant to visitors, e.g., via personalization.

Got Game? A Choice-Based Learning Assessment of Data Literacy and Visualization Skills

In partnership with both formal and informal learning institutions, researchers have been building a suite of online games, called choicelets, to serve as interactive assessments of learning skills, e.g. critical thinking or seeking feedback. Unlike more traditional assessments, which take a retrospective, knowledge-based view of learning, choicelets take a prospective, process-based view and focus on students’ choices as they attempt to solve a challenge. The multi-level challenges are designed to allow for players’ “free choice” as they explore and learn how to solve the challenge. The system provides them with various learning resources, and tracks whether, what, how, and when they choose to learn. This paper briefly describes a partner’s curriculum focused on data literacy and visualization, the design of a choice-based assessment for their program, and reports on an initial study of the curriculum and game with 10th grade biology students. Results are presented in the context of the design research questions: Do student choices in the game predict their learning from the game?Does the curriculum teach the students to choose more effectively with respect to data visualization? Future work for choice-based assessments is also discussed.

Science hobbyists: active users of the science-learning ecosystem

ABSTRACTScience hobbyists engage in self-directed, free-choice science learning and many have considerable expertise in their hobby area. This study focused on astronomy and birding hobbyists and examined how they used organizations to support their hobby engagement. Interviews were conducted with 58 amateur astronomers and 49 birders from the midwestern and southeastern United States. A learning ecology framework was used to map the community contexts with which the hobbyists acted. Results indicated seven contexts that supported the participants’ hobby involvement over time: home, K-12 schools, universities, informal learning institutions, hobby clubs, conferences, and community organizations. Three themes emerged that described how hobbyists interacted with organizations in their communities: (1) organizations provided multiple points of entrance into the science-learning ecosystem, (2) organizations acted as catalysts to facilitate a hobbyist’s development in their hobby, and (3) the relationship between hobbyists and organizations they used for learning eventually became bidirectional. Results showed that both astronomy and birding hobbyists used science-learning organizations to meet their hobby-related learning goals. Most hobbyists in the sample (90% astronomers, 78% birders) also engaged in outreach and shared their hobby with members of their community. Patterns of interaction of the astronomy and birding hobbyists within the seven contexts are discussed.

Highlighting the value of evidence-based evaluation: pushing back on demands for ‘impact’

This paper discusses the value and place of evaluation amidst increasing demands for impact. We note that most informal learning institutions do not have the funds, staff or expertise to conduct impact assessments requiring, as they do, the implementation of rigorous research methodologies. However, many museums and science centres do have the experience and capacity to design and conduct site-specific evaluation protocols that result in valuable and useful insights to inform ongoing and future practice. To illustrate our argument, we discuss the evaluation findings from a museum-led teacher professional development programme, Talk Science.

Mystery Shopping: An Innovative Method for Observing Interactions With Scientists During Public Science Events

ABSTRACTThis article documents the development and use of a mystery shopper protocol for observing scientists’ interactions with the public within the context of science festival expo booths. A team of field researchers was trained to act as members of the general public and approach scientists participating in a science festival. After visiting each booth, the mystery shoppers documented their experiences; 192 booths were observed and data were compared with those from 186 intercept surveys collected from members of the public attending the expo. Descriptive statistics document the range of booth logistics and scientist interactions captured, and inferential statistics explore the relation between protocol items and event ratings. The results indicate that mystery shopping is an effective way to document scientists’ interactions with the public, providing a unique perspective that serves as a measure of quality control when compared with best practices. The utility and implications of mystery shopper data are discussed in relation to evaluation of and research on public science events in particular and informal learning institutions overall.

Teachers' Personal and Professional Use of Informal Learning Institutions: Focus on a Botanic Garden

Teachers' Personal and Professional Use of Informal Learning Institutions: Focus on a Botanic Garden

Turning Visitors into Citizens: Using Social Science for Civic Engagement in Informal Science Education Centers

AbstractHow can museums and other informal learning institutions cultivate greater civic engagement among the visiting public around important social issues? This case study of the National Network of Ocean and Climate Change Interpreters' (NNOCCI) professional learning community illustrates how insights from the social sciences can be productively integrated into existing museum interpretation practice. NNOCCI partnered with social scientists at the FrameWorks Institute to strengthen interpreters' capacity to improve museum climate literacy efforts through Strategic Frame Analysis™, an approach to communications research and practice that identifies how the public's deeply held worldviews impact civic participation. Key insights from FrameWorks' original research on the topics of climate change and oceans formed the content of training curriculum. Based on feedback from pilot participants, an interactive pedagogy suited to the museum education context was developed and expanded to reach 150 informal scie...

Turning Visitors into Citizens: Using Social Science for Civic Engagement in Informal Science Education Centers

How can museums and other informal learning institutions cultivate greater civic engagement among the visiting public around important social issues? This case study of the National Network of Ocean and Climate Change Interpreters' (NNOCCI) professional learning community illustrates how insights from the social sciences can be productively integrated into existing museum interpretation practice. NNOCCI partnered with social scientists at the FrameWorks Institute to strengthen interpreters' capacity to improve museum climate literacy efforts through Strategic Frame Analysis™, an approach to communications research and practice that identifies how the public's deeply held worldviews impact civic participation. Key insights from FrameWorks' original research on the topics of climate change and oceans formed the content of training curriculum. Based on feedback from pilot participants, an interactive pedagogy suited to the museum education context was developed and expanded to reach 150 informal science education institutions through 2015.

Adult Science Learning in the Internet Era

Abstract This article outlines a different view of the changing nature of adult learning in the Internet era. The old model of learning—the warehouse—is being replaced by a “just‐in‐time” system of information acquisition. The NRC report focuses too heavily on finding missions for existing institutions and pays too little attention to the pervasive changes in information acquisition and adult learning in all areas. An analysis of existing data demonstrates the relative impact of formal and informal learning and points to opportunities for enhanced adult science learning in the future. In a just‐in‐time world, museums and similar informal learning institutions will need to be less dependent on their physical setting and more focused on learning as the end product. It will also be necessary to find a viable revenue model to support this emerging mission.