This book gives step-by-step instructions on how to design, implement, and present an evaluation study for a museum or other settings for informal education, and it presents guidelines for studying the experiences of visitors in informal educational settings. The chapters are: (1) "Planning an Evaluation Project"; (2) "Informal…

Describes the variety of formal and informal educational programs being developed by zoos and aquariums in the United States and suggests methods of increasing the educational utility of these facilities. (AL)

Author notes the successes and failures of formal and informal learning activities and the continuing need for change. (AS)

Focuses on one person's perspective toward responsibilities of and toward the history of the museum profession. A plea is put forth for developing a feasible documentation system and national network of exhibit reviews. (Author/SA)

Some parks and some artists working outdoors are interacting with the environment and interpreting ecology through artworks in ways related to methodology of interpreters. Several sculpture parks are described. Sculptures include those that interpret local history and ecology, teach about tree function or historic use of stone, or supply habitats…

The Sierra Club's Inner City Outing programs provide wilderness experiences to thousands of inner-city children each year. The programs frequently partner up with children's agencies such as the YMCA and pediatric AIDS care groups. A weekend outing to Manchac Wildlife Area research station (Louisiana) by kids ages 7-14 from central New Orleans is…

Adult participation in book discussion groups satisfies lifelong learning needs. The informal learning that takes place helps adults acquire self-knowledge and construct new meanings by connecting texts and life. (SK)

A study's data sources were transcripts of online workshops held by the Canadian Labour Congress, an online survey and interviews with participants, and interaction analysis. Informal learning, particularly through unplanned online discussions, was critical to workshops' success. External resources played a role. Tacit dimensions of communication…

Discusses informal education as a form for learning about computers and describes relevant computer competencies on four levels based on empirical project work. Computer learning offered by formal, organized programs and by informal methods via the media are reviewed. Contains 56 references. (Author/LRW)

Describes and explains the rationale for establishing a program in higher education that would support and interact with the community of institutions and individuals involved in informal or nonformal science education. Outlines a number of research questions proposed at a recent meeting of informal science educators. (DDR)

There is no substantial difference between adults' and children's learning processes: both use task-conscious and learning-conscious methods. The difference in teaching adults and children lies in differential power relationships between teachers and learners, the identities they construct, and the ways in which power and identity affect teaching…

A community project in England teaches gardening to low-income people interested in growing their own food. The workshops also provide informal basic skills training. (SK)

Reviews research on literacy in out-of-school settings, identifying conceptual advances in theories of literacy arising from nonschool research and highlighting recent research on literacy in out-of-schoolsettings. Discusses the implications of such research for teaching and learning in a range of contexts, including school. (SLD)

Interviews in two technology-intensive Finnish companies (banking and engineering) found that workplace learning was continuous and active. Learning stimuli and competence development differed in two settings. A more systematic, long-term approach to learning and acknowledgment of collective competence could improve the work environment as a…

Nine studies that examined the use of referral reply letters that transferred information from specialists to referring physicians were analyzed. Although research indicates that physicians are receptive to such letters as sources of learning, little educational content was actually included in the letters. (Contains 39 references.) (SK)