Learning & evaluation in informal science environments

1. Learning & evaluation in informal science environments Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

2. Models of Learning? • •Contextual Model of Learning (Falk & Dierking, 1992, 2000) • •Learning Science in Informal Environments (NRC, 2009) • •Generic Learning Outcomes (Inspiring Learning for All) Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

3. Contextual Model of Learning Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

4. Learning Science in Informal Environments Learners in informal environments will: • •Develop interest in science (excitement, interest, motivation) • •Come to understand scientific knowledge • •Engage in scientific reasoning (manipulate, test, explore, predict, question, observe) Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

5. Learning Science in Informal Environments Learners in informal environments will (cont’d): • •Reflect on science as a way of knowing • •Engage in scientific practices (use talk, tools, collaboration) • •Think about themselves as science learners and develop an identity as someone who knows about, uses and sometimes contributes to science. Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

6. Inspiring Learning for All • •Learning is a process of active engagement with experience • •It is what people do when they want to make sense of the world • •It may involve the development or deepening of skills, knowledge, understanding, values, ideas and feelings • •Effective learning leads to change, development and the desire to learn more Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

7. Generic Learning Outcomes Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

8. Generic Learning Outcomes • • Knowledge & understanding • Knowing about; facts, information • • Skills • Knowing how; intellectual, social, emotional, physical • • Attitudes & values • Feelings, perceptions, opinions, attitudes • • Enjoyment, inspiration & creativity • Having fun, being surprised, creativity, exploration, being inspired • • Activity, behaviour, progression • What people do or intend to do, actions (observed, reported), change in behaviour Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

9. Generic Learning Outcomes Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

10. Generic Learning Outcomes Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

11. Why evaluate? • •To provide information for project improvement • •To determine the worth or merit of some procedure, project, process or product Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

12. Evaluation Methods (Tools) • •Questionnaires (self-completion, facilitated) • •Interviews (formal/structured; informal/casual; snapshot) • •Comment cards, comment books, comment boards (post-it notes) • •Observations (counting heads, observing behaviour) • •Mind-mapping • •Drawing • •Video • •Stickers • •Graffiti walls • •Self-reflection Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

13. Things to keep in mind • •Begin by defining goals of activity/event • •Match evaluation to goals • •KISS, SMART Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

14. Evaluation overview Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

15. Evaluation Methods (Tools) • •Questionnaires (self-completion, facilitated) • •Interviews (formal/structured; informal/casual; snapshot) • •Comment cards, comment books, comment boards (post-it notes) • •Observations (counting heads, observing behaviour) • •Mind-mapping • •Drawing • •Video/Photography • •Stickers • •Graffiti walls • •Self-reflection Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

16. Websites • Inspiring Learning • The site formerly known as ‘Inspiring Learning for All’, it provides a framework for supporting learning in museums, libraries and archives. It is also the ‘home’ of the Generic Learning Outcomes framework. • http://www.inspiringlearningforall.gov.uk/ • http://www.inspiringlearningforall.gov.uk/toolstemplates/genericlearning/index.html • InformalScience • This website, hosted by the CAISE (the US-based Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education), contains research and evaluation reports as well as other related resources about learning science in informal settings. • http://informalscience.org/ • Evaluation Springboard • While the documents on this website do not focus on science, they do provide a user friendly introduction to evaluation • http://www.evaluationspringboard.org/ Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014

17. Reading • Barriault, C. & Pearson, D. (2010). Assessing exhibits for learning in science centers: A practical tool. Visitor Studies, 13(1), 90-106. • Bell, P. Lewenstein, B., Shouse, A.W., & Feder, M.A. (2009). Learning science in informal • settings: People, places, and pursuits. Committee on Learning Science in Informal Environments. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. • Hein, G. E. (1998). Learning in the museum. London: Routledge • Falk, J. & Dierking, L. (2013). The museum experience revisited. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press. • [Previous version: Falk, J. & Dierking, L. (2000). Learning from museums: Visitor experiences and the making of meaning. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.] Jen DeWitt Little Event January 2014