This pronoun study examines the effect of two classroom learning environments on the acquisition of English personal and possessive pronouns by Primary Two students in Singapore on the premises that: 1. Students from the formal learning environment will perform better than those from the informal learning environment in the shorter term; 2.…

The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) assesses applications to its Prior Learning and Assessment (PLAR) program. This 1999-2000 report is the second annual account of SIAST assessments of PLAR requests. PLAR Policy identifies the following standards for quality assurance in assessing learning for credit: (1)…

Not long ago, both city and country children grew up mostly outdoors, with direct experience of plants and animals and of the ways in which the necessities of daily life were grown, made, and used. When they weren't helping with household work, children spent much of their time exploring and puttering around in the outdoor environment, relatively…

Students' alternative conceptions arise out of an interconnected system of beliefs: about the nature of science, of learning, of the natural and social world. Cross-cultural perspectives on these world views are therefore essential. This study probed middle school students' conceptions about plants. Tribal students were found to have a richer and…

Schools need to be reoriented and restructured so that what is taught and learned, and the way in which it is taught and learned, are better integrated with young people's real-world experiences. Many indicators suggest that the meaningful aspects of school have been lost in the encounter with modern times. The title of this address--"Every…

While rediscovering her Chippewa spirituality, the author learned that life's tests are gifts. The ways she learned in the White world had prevented her from serving her people. She had to undergo pain to learn about compassion before she could be of service. Native people need to positively reinforce children and allow them to talk about their…

Reported are the results of a study at the Royal British Columbia Museum where an interactive computer program, "Explore the Seashore," was added to an exhibit to test its effects on visitor enjoyment and learning. Details of the presentation and structure of the hypercard media are presented. (CW)

Describes visitor-oriented exhibits at the Natural History Museum that utilize precise principles of communication for educative purpose. These exhibits are designed on the basis of detailed knowledge of the audience, extending attention to the entire gallery as an experience rather than providing notice to individual exhibits, while taking…

Described is a project which was designed to take advantage of the use of a videocassette recorder to produce science lessons which could be viewed by children and their parents at home. Examples of several home lessons are provided. Feedback for the program is discussed. (CW)

Describes how many Israeli English-as-a-Second-Language students use cyber-English to chat with peers worldwide via the Internet, suggesting that this is a useful addition to standard instruction because it is a motivating and powerful means of communication, and using English language e-mail is a vital skill that all students need for the 21st…

Discusses issues in informal outdoor education offered by youth programs and social agencies: redefining the outdoors, need for follow-up and continuity, need for interpersonal skills and knowledge of group dynamics as well as technical training, benefits of a team approach, and benefits of engaging in other activities with clients. Contains 29…

Interviews with 154 elementary school students in Northern Ireland and the United States found that students in both countries were very interested in history and learned about history from family and the media, as well as school. However, the two groups of students had different views on the importance of history and reasons for studying it.…

Australian Landcare groups of volunteers, farmers, and other landowners address local conservation and land use issues. In studies of two networks of Landcare groups, networks attracted funding, created opportunities for participation and shared learning, improved communication and management practices, and increased member knowledge. These…

To provide meaningful science experiences for students, educators need quality science experiences themselves from which to draw. Informal learning contexts, such as museums, are well positioned to provide educators with these professional development experiences. We investigated the impact museum-created professional development experiences had…

Informal learning's roots emerged from educational philosophers John Dewey, Kurt Lewin and Mary Parker Follett to theorists Malcolm Knowles and other successive researchers. This paper explores the background and definitions of informal learning and applications to the global workplace. Informal learning's challenges are applied to developing…