Describing Informal Learning Experiences among College-Age Adults

Autor/inn/en	Heim, Ashley B.; Holt, Emily A.
Titel	Describing Informal Learning Experiences among College-Age Adults
Quelle	In: Journal of STEM Outreach, 4 (2021) 1, (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2576-6767
Schlagwörter	Informal Education; Undergraduate Students; Late Adolescents; Learning Experience; Personal Autonomy; Learning Motivation; Context Effect; Parks; Biology; Introductory Courses; College Science; Majors (Students); Barriers; Field Trips; Public Colleges + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Informelle Bildung; Nichtformale Bildung; Halbstarker; Lernerfahrung; Individuelle Autonomie; Motivation for studies; Lernmotivation; Freizeitpark; Biologie; Einführungskurs; Exkursion
Abstract	While the autonomous nature of free-choice learning can have numerous positive effects on student learning in science fields, there is a lack of research on how college-age adults learn in informal settings. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe college-age adults' experiences at informal learning settings by administering the Informal Learning Experiences Survey (ILES), which is intended to serve as a tool for practitioners to reflect on undergraduates' participation in learning experiences at informal settings. We administered the ILES to 441 introductory biology undergraduates in Fall 2018 at a single institution and found the most commonly visited informal learning setting in the last six months among our participants was city, state, and national parks. Further, participants reported that their main reason for learning about science at informal settings was for fun and enjoyment, and that their primary barrier against engaging in learning at informal settings was limited finances. We hope the ILES will (a) allow instructors of introductory college biology courses to reflect on and describe the prior experiences and interests of their students related to learning in informal settings, and (b) inform program directors at informal learning settings about how to better incorporate experiences designed for college-age adults. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Journal of STEM Outreach. PMB 0367, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203. e-mail: jstemoutreach@vanderbilt.edu; Web site: https://www.jstemoutreach.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01