Plants are essential to life on Earth and yet are often deemed invisible by the human populace. Botanic gardens are an under-researched educational context and, as such, have occupied a peripheral arena in biology education discussions. This article seeks to readdress this absence and present the case for a more sustained use of informal learning…

This article argues that "transition" offers a limited and outmoded conceptual frame for understanding young people's engagement with work and learning. It draws on two studies of young people to provide insights into the study and work experiences of older and school-aged youth. Our analysis suggests that rather than focussing narrowly…

Purpose: To explore the influence of competitive strategy in entrepreneur-led SMEs and the effects on e-learning HRD. Design/methodology/approach: Performance consulting company reviews provide holistic information on nine case studies on small and medium sized enterprises drawn from the printing, agri-foods and media industries. Findings:…

The aim of this article is to contribute to realising the progressive and democratic opportunities that National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) can offer. In doing so it will be critical of many of the ways that NQFs have been interpreted to date and the claims that have been made for them. The article has six sections. Section 1 considers some…

Life-long learning is a key issue for our knowledge society. With social software systems new heterogeneous kinds of technology enhanced informal learning are now available to the life-long learner. Learners outside of learning institutions now have access to powerful social communities of experts and peers who are together forging a new web 2.0.…

Proposes methods for the optimal popularization of science and technology to shape and influence public opinion about the utility of associated policies and goals. Emphasizes that such popularization should concentrate on enabling laypeople to acquire an adequate level of scientific and technological literacy, applicable to their everyday lives.…

Learning is a changing phenomenon, depending on the advances in theory and research. This book presents a relatively new approach to learning, based on meaningful human activities in cultural practices and in collaboration with others. It draws extensively from the ideas of Lev Vygotsky and his recent followers. The book presents ideas that…

The mainstream press and politicians have highlighted the application of new communication technologies in educational domains for years. Although a myriad of literature has examined the philosophical or practical concerns behind the creation of such civic improvement programs as the "electronic town meeting" or the "televote,"…

This article traces efforts toward establishing a guiding framework for community college faculty development as integrated with professional, organizational, and program development. It emphasizes informal learning among professionals and an organizational learning system. (JOW)

The study examined the process of informal learning in the context of family caregiving for the frail elderly in the community. Sixty ethnographic interviews were conducted with 15 family caregivers. A model of informal learning as reflection-in-action emerged from the data. Five themes of meaning and six types of informal learning were derived…

Holds that virtually all children possess informal abilities required for school success and that most problems in school mathematics stem from social, personality, or educational factors. Describes children's informal mathematical thinking, presents clinical observations, and discusses implications for instruction of children experiencing…

This report provides general findings from the Adult Education for Work-Related Reasons (AEWR) survey of the 2003 National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES). The survey was conducted by random-digit-dial telephone interviewing of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population ages 16 and older who were not enrolled in elementary or…

This document aligns Oregon state educational benchmarks and standards with Oregon Zoo resources. Benchmark areas examined include English, mathematics, science, social studies, and career and life roles. Brief descriptions of the programs offered by the zoo are presented. (SOE)

This document presents an overview of marine education in the United States for 1997. Marine education is defined as education regarding the ocean, coastal waters, and Great Lakes. This report describes the history of marine education, informal education, and discusses its place in elementary, secondary, and higher education. (Contains 16…

Science beyond the schoolhouse is the subject of this close-up look at informal science--education in non-traditional settings, including Boys and Girls Clubs, 4-H, zoos, aquariums, and public television. More than a dozen writers draw on personal experiences to tell why they became informal science educators and how they use the history and…