Towards the Construction of a Personal Professional Pathway: An Experimental Project for the Recognition of Non-Formal and Informal Learning in the University of Catania

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Piazza
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Experimental Project ◽  
The University

First Steps in the Development of a Model for Integrating Formal and Informal Learning in Virtual Environments

2014 ◽  
pp. 142-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria I. Marín ◽  
Jesús Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Primary Teacher ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Strategy Model ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The University

Educational technologists are currently researching how to enhance education through integrating the different aspects of individuals’ learning. People learn by different means and contexts, so formal learning is only a part of the whole process of their learning. In this chapter, the authors present current progress in developing a methodological strategy model that aims to integrate formal and informal learning at university. For this purpose, they start with the foundations of this study and a description of its design and initial rollout in an undergraduate course, “Primary Teacher Training,” at the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain. Although the study is currently still being carried out, it is worth highlighting some insights and reflections of the on-going implementation and future research directions of the study.

First Steps in the Development of a Model for Integrating Formal and Informal Learning in Virtual Environments

2016 ◽  
pp. 391-413
Author(s):  
Victoria I. Marín ◽  
Jesús Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Primary Teacher ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Strategy Model ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The University

Educational technologists are currently researching how to enhance education through integrating the different aspects of individuals' learning. People learn by different means and contexts, so formal learning is only a part of the whole process of their learning. In this chapter, the authors present current progress in developing a methodological strategy model that aims to integrate formal and informal learning at university. For this purpose, they start with the foundations of this study and a description of its design and initial rollout in an undergraduate course, “Primary Teacher Training,” at the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain. Although the study is currently still being carried out, it is worth highlighting some insights and reflections of the on-going implementation and future research directions of the study.

First Steps in the Development of a Model for Integrating Formal and Informal Learning in Virtual Environments

2018 ◽  
pp. 265-288
Author(s):  
Victoria I. Marín ◽  
Jesús Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Balearic Islands ◽  
Primary Teacher ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Strategy Model ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The University

Educational technologists are currently researching how to enhance education through integrating the different aspects of individuals' learning. People learn by different means and contexts, so formal learning is only a part of the whole process of their learning. In this chapter, the authors present current progress in developing a methodological strategy model that aims to integrate formal and informal learning at university. For this purpose, they start with the foundations of this study and a description of its design and initial rollout in an undergraduate course, “Primary Teacher Training,” at the University of the Balearic Islands in Spain. Although the study is currently still being carried out, it is worth highlighting some insights and reflections of the on-going implementation and future research directions of the study.

Using exemption examinations to assess Finnish business students' non-formal and informal learning of ESP: a pilot study

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Tuomainen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Examination System ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Language And Communication ◽  
The University ◽  
Examination Process ◽  
Eastern Finland

AbstractIn recent years Finnish university language centres have increasingly developed procedures for assessing and recognising the skills in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) that students acquire in various non-formal and informal learning environments. This article describes the procedures developed by the University of Eastern Finland Language Centre to assess business students' non-formal and informal learning of ESP language and communication skills. The examinations are held every semester for students seeking exemption from the ESP courses that form part of their undergraduate degree in business and economics. In the examinations the students' skills and abilities are tested using the same criteria and methods as in the courses from which exemption is sought.The article also describes how business students perceive the exemption examination process as a means to recognising and assessing their non-formally and informally acquired ESP language and communication skills. Applying a mixed methods research design, the data presented was elicited from business students who participated in the ESP exemption examinations at the University of Eastern Finland Language Centre in the autumn semester 2012. The results of this pilot study indicate that the students regard the exemption examination process as their preferred means of demonstrating prior learning of ESP, and consider the pre-examination guidance and information provided by the teachers and the self-assessment instructions functional and sufficient. These findings encourage the further development of the ESP exemption examination system at the University of Eastern Finland Language Centre.

scholarly journals Future in Focus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Branch ◽  
Joanne De Groot
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Current Program ◽  
Recent Graduates ◽  
Teacher Librarians ◽  
The University ◽  
Master Of Education

This paper explores the experiences of recent graduates from a Master of Education program in Teacher-Librarianship at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Recent graduates were asked to provide information about the educational needs of 21stcentury teacher-librarians and to think about what topics in the current program were important and which were no longer relevant. Technology and leadership emerged as the most important issues and graduates indicated that the evolving nature of the profession required both formal and informal learning opportunities. These findings will help faculty and instructors to revision the program and the curriculum.

scholarly journals Makerspaces in Libraries: Technology as Catalyst for Better Learning, Better Teaching

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Tod Colegrove
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Early Adopter ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Constructivist Learning Theory ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
Natural Result ◽  
The University ◽  
First Mover

Introduction: Across disciplines, the practice of education continues to evolve. Supporting organizations such as the library are responding by reworking existing practices while developing new ones. With roots grounded deeply in constructivist learning theory, the emerging practice of makerspaces in libraries is proving an effective step in that evolution. The article was written in the year 2016 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Methodology: Examples of associated active learning activity at one such library —an early adopter and first mover among academic libraries in adopting and integrating makerspace in libraries— are presented. Results and Conclusions: The product of leveraging technology as catalyst for active learning and engagement within and beyond the physical commons of the library, a blending of formal and informal learning, leading to increased innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration across disciplinary and organizational boundaries, appears a natural result.

scholarly journals The Lifelong Learning Iceberg of Information Systems Academics - A Study of On-Going Formal and Informal Learning by Academics

10.28945/3088 ◽  
2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Davey ◽  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Academic Support ◽  
Real Life ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
The University

This article describes a study that examined the lifelong learning of information systems academics in relation to their normal work. It begins by considering the concept of lifelong learning, its relationship to real-life learning and that lifelong learning should encompass the whole spectrum of formal, non-formal and informal learning. Most world governments had recognised the importance of support for lifelong learning. Borrowing ideas and techniques use by Livingstone in a large-scale 1998 survey of the informal learning activities of Canadian adults, the study reported in this article sought to uncover those aspects of information systems academics’ lifelong learning that might lead policy setters to understand the sources of learning valued by these academics. It could be argued that in the past the university sector was a leader in promoting the lifelong learning of its academic staff, but recent changes in the university environment around the world have moved away from this ideal and academics interviewed from many countries all report rapidly decreasing resources available for academic support. In this environment it is important to determine which learning sources are valued by information systems academic so that informed decisions can be made on support priorities.

The role of the library café as a learning space: A comparative analysis of three universities

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 823-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Deng ◽  
Bradley Allard ◽  
Patrick Lo ◽  
Dickson K.W. Chiu ◽  
Eric W.K. See-To ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
The United States ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
University Of Kentucky ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
The University

Although food and drink have traditionally been prohibited in libraries, in recent years, there have been increased joint ventures between libraries and coffee shops like Starbucks. Although library cafés are perceived mostly for social networking and recreational purposes, an increasing number of students are conducting both their formal and informal learning at the library cafés, instead of inside the physical libraries. Using a quantitative comparative approach, this study also aims to identify the similarities and differences in the usage of library cafés amongst students at three different universities in Asia and the United States – namely, the University of Tsukuba, located in Japan, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Kentucky in the USA. Furthermore, this study explores the educational, social, and recreational roles that library cafés play in the students’ college experience and daily lives. Online questionnaire surveys were used to gauge library patrons’ usage and perceptions of both the library and café spaces, as well as their preferences for formal and informal learning and recreation. From the 314 responses collected from all three universities, the results indicated that a majority of the respondents considered the library café as an important part of their campus life, though a majority of them would still prefer formal learning within the library building, and certain recreational activities outside the library café. Besides, the library café also functions like a multi-functional hub where everyone can find their own use, ranging from being a place for learning to a place for socialization purposes.

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