Adult Learning in Non-formal Institutions :: Education Learn Essays

Adult Learning in Non- full-dress InstitutionsMuseums, zoos, constitution centers, skill centers, aquariums, and other similar institutions provide a tremendous hazard for lifelong nurture in a relatively nonthreatening setting for nearly heavy(a)s (Schroeder 1970). Many of these attractions and museums include facts of life as a part of their missions (see, for example, Allmon 1994 Chizar, Murphy, and Illiff 1990 Conway 1982) and the popularity of these places as providers of both recreation and education is well established (Chobot 1989). This Digest explores more or less of the central concepts of big(a) learning in these settings. A brief preaching of nonformal learning and the adult visitor lays the foundation for the examination of ideas in the writings on (1) what is educational in attractions, (2) opportunities and challenges to education in these settings, and (3) the application of adult learning theory to zoo, museum, center, and attraction education. Adult Visi tors and Nonformal Learning Nonformal learning is ofttimes defined by activities outside(a) the formal learning setting, characterized by unpaid as opposed to mandatory participation (Crane et al., 1994). Mocker and Spear (1982) put forward a taxonomy of adult learning wherein nonformal learning is identified as learners place the objectives for learning with the means controlled by the educator or organization. Maarschalk (1988) contrasts nonformal learning (i.e., outside formal settings--such as field trips and museum visits) with informal learning (i.e., that which grows out of extemporaneous situations). In zoos, museums, nature centers, and attractions, adult learning can range from formal through nonformal to informal. Workshops, lectures, classes, and educational shows are some of the common formal adult learning programs tours, informational signage, exhibits/interactive displays, and demonstrations are often considered nonformal learning constructed by the education st aff the individual visitor and the setting create informal learning situations (Diem 1994). For whom are these opportunities constructed? In a study of zoo visitors, Conway (1982) found that in the midst of 55-70% of all zoo visitors are adults. Hundreds of billions of state visit museums, zoos, nature centers, science centers, and other attractions (Falk and Dierking 1992). In North America, for example, over 100 million people visit zoos and aquariums each year (Eaton 1981 Howard 1989 Marshall 1994), and over 500 million visit museums (Naisbitt and Aburdene 1990). This translates to a tremendous population of learners. Adults more often than children hint the visit (Cheek, Field, and Burdge 1976) and are also the societal decision makers whose actions directly mend the attraction, whether the decision is simply to visit or to support funding for involution or renovation (Diem 1994).