Provides a descriptive listing of museums and science exhibits that are essentially participatory and playful in nature for young children. Offerings in the areas of natural history, museums, science and technology centers and specifically children's museums are outlined. Educational benefits are discussed. (ML)

This article discusses aspects of the informal learning of tertiary teachers in a polytechnic, a wananga (Maori tertiary institution) and a university in New Zealand. Case studies showed that they gained their teaching knowledge and skills mainly on the job, through informal, experiential learning, and much less through formal courses,…

Developed to provide direct opportunities for children to explore the natural world, this book offers creative new approaches to teaching environmentally. A workshop format is used in this book, which consists of four separate chapters entitled: Adaptations, Habitats, Cycles, and Designs of Nature. Each chapter contains a series of workshops which…

A model on learning that occurs in the workplace is discussed. Two theoretical frameworks are explored: multiple learning domains and action science. Four examples that reflect some of the characteristics of the new paradigm for learning in the workplace are included. The examples concern management development in a large business, a staff…

A study examined student learning in the workplace. Surveys of 1,451 students from 13 Australian secondary schools and 9 case studies found that communication skills and finding out what workplaces are really like constituted the bulk of workplace learning. Students reported learning experientially, and learning more in paid work and vocational…

Until about the 1940s, schools and universities considered observation and direct experience of one's natural surroundings to be a worthwhile educational endeavor, leading to a nature-literate citizenry. Now, lab-based biological studies and environmental education in the classroom have mostly replaced nature study, reducing the possibility of…

This study investigates student learning in science center exhibitions as a form of informal education and examines intrinsic, instrumental, and situational student motivation. Subjects (N=130) consisted of 6 comprehensive school classes of 7th graders in the greater Helsinki area. The design of the study was quasi-experimental with two…

A study was conducted to understand the informal learning processes of the members of a worker natural foods store cooperative, The Big Carrot, in Toronto. Eight members with central roles in the natural foods retailer were interviewed. In addition, key documents and other writings on the cooperative were examined. The data indicate that members…

Described is a mobile hands-on science program called "Light Works" that is brought directly into the classroom. The reasons for the implementation of "Light Works" into primary classrooms is discussed. The advantages and operation of this program are included. (KR)

Interactive science and technology centers are described that emphasize "hands-on" science. Examined are the outreach programs offered by many centers which include traveling exhibitions and published resource materials. Examples of follow-up activities to a center visit are included. (KR)

Examined is the contribution that hands-on, interactive centers can make to science education. The characteristics of informal and formal learning are compared and discussed. (KR)

Advocated is the use of interactive centers to supplement existing classroom laboratory experiences. Activities found in the center and modified classroom versions are described. The problems that arise when primary students meet sophisticated exhibits is discussed. (KR)

The impact of informal learning on young children in the course of their play activities is discussed. A major objective is to emphasize that informal learning can help lay the base for multiculturalism in elementary education. It enables children from different cultural backgrounds to relate to and understand each other through play activities…

Describes three teaching activities used in the Chemistry for Kids program which focus on how esters are chemicals partially responsible for the flavor of foods. Includes a discussion of a demonstration involving role-playing, a set of taste tests, and an activity using chewing gum to investigate odors in food. (TW)

Tacit knowledge, the knowledge that workers possess but do not articulate, is associated with terms such as "skill,""know-how,""working knowledge," and "expertise" that are used to describe knowledge about and ability to perform work. Learning that takes place through apprenticeships draws heavily on tacit…