formal and informal learning environments

7/29/2019 formal and informal learning environments

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Formal and Informal

LearningEnvironmentsYALSA Research Agenda Priority Area 4

ALA Midwinter 2012 Annie Downey

YALSA Research Forum University of North Texas

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The Research Agenda

For those doing research on 21st century libraryservices for young adults, a singular challenge lies inexploring the intersections of formal and informalenvironments (along with friendship-driven and interest-

driven pursuits) with library-related activities as varied asadolescent development and literacy acquisition (Harris,2011)

An example of this type of intersection

Quest to Learn

Harris, F. (2011). Gimme shelter: Informal and formal learning environments inlibrary land. Retrieved from http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/

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http://q2l.org/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2011/11/gimme-shelter-informal-and-formal-learning-environments-in-library-land/http://q2l.org/


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Key Points / Topics of Inquiry

Think of learning when designing spaces intentionally

creating learning spaces

Technology in learning environments

Digital divide

Access to technology AND access to specific resources

Inventory of technologies being used (also how usage relates to

income, gender, and ethnicity)

Data driven understanding of technology use

Effect of filters Tech skills of YAs

Online learning - in formal learning environments

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Key Points / Topics of Inquiry

Interest-driven learning

Value of informal learning

Limitations created by the structure of formal learning

environments can affect informal learning (such as setup of

space, filters, etc.)

Supporting informal learning in formal learning environments

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Learning Environments Defined

The social, physical, psychological, and pedagogicalcontexts in which learning occurs and which affect

student achievement and attitudes (from LearningEnvironments Research: An International Journal published by Springer)

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Formal

Classrooms

Computer Labs

Libraries

Online classes

Informal

Home

Science centers

Museums

LibrariesField trips

Social media


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Research Methods

Surveys

Ethnography

Structured Observation

Text and Speech Analysis

Semiotics

Interviews

Focus groups

Critical approaches

Statistical analysis

Combination of qualitative and quantitative is common and

often preferred for this type of research 6


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Questionnaires

A long history in learning environment research Many valid instruments to use

Learning Environment Inventory (LEI)

Classroom Environment Scale (CES)

Individualised Classroom Environment Questionnaire (ICEQ)

Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI) Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (QLES)

What is Happening in This Class? (WIHIC)

Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES)

Questionnaire data is often used in conjunction with learning

outcome data A good history and summation of the above instruments: Fraser, B. J.

(2002). Learning environment research: Yesterday, today and tomorrow. In S. C. Goh & M.S Khine (Eds), Studies in educational learning environments: An international perspective(pp. 1-26). Singapore: World Scientific.

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http://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdfhttp://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5014/5014_chap1.pdf


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Ethnography and Observation

Can be simple or very complex

Check out articles in the field of educational anthropology for

guidance

Examples from academic libraries

Studying Students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the

University of Rochester

Ethnographic Research in Illinois Academic Libraries (aka ERIAL

Project)

AnthroLib Library in Zotero has more examples includesexamples of using ethnography techniques for online

environments

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http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436http://www.erialproject.org/http://www.erialproject.org/https://www.zotero.org/groups/anthrolib_bibliography/items/https://www.zotero.org/groups/anthrolib_bibliography/items/https://www.zotero.org/groups/anthrolib_bibliography/items/http://www.erialproject.org/http://www.erialproject.org/http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436http://docushare.lib.rochester.edu/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-4436


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Pew Research

Use their reports or other publications for backgroundinformation, stats, or ideas

Teens, Kindness and Cruelty on Social Network Sites

Generations 2010 (datasets are also available for download)

The new normal in the digital age

Speaking the language of the next generation

Reading, Writing, & Research in the Digital Age

More: http://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspx

Use their data for your own study

Trend Data for Teens http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspx

Data Sets http://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspx 9
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitterhttp://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitterhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Generations-2010.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Feb/NFAIS--New-Normal.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Feb/National-Religious-Broadcasters.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Sept/SLJ.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://pewinternet.org/Data-Tools/Download-Data/Data-Sets.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Topics/Topic-Category-1/Teens.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Sept/SLJ.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Sept/SLJ.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Feb/National-Religious-Broadcasters.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Feb/NFAIS--New-Normal.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Generations-2010.aspxhttp://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Generations-2010.aspxhttp://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitterhttp://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitterhttp://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitterhttp://pewresearch.org/pubs/2128/social-media-teens-bullying-internet-privacy-email-cyberbullying-facebook-myspace-twitter


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Kaiser Family Foundation

Focused on major health care issues, including the effect of

media on health

Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds

is the third in a series of large-scale, nationally representative

surveys by the Foundation about young peoples media use. Itincludes data from all three waves of the study (1999, 2004, and

2009), and is among the largest and most comprehensive publicly

available sources of information about media use among

American youth.

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http://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfmhttp://www.kff.org/entmedia/8010.cfm


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Additional Quantitative

Sources The GFI Software 2011 Parent-Teen Internet Safety Report

This survey is a probability sample designed to be nationally

representative - of 535 pairs of teens ages 13-17 and their

parents in households with Internet access.

UNESCO ICT in Education International perspective

Some data available; more forthcoming

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http://www.gfi.com/parent-teen-internet-safety-reporthttp://www.uis.unesco.org/Communication/Pages/ict-education.aspxhttp://www.uis.unesco.org/Communication/Pages/ict-education.aspxhttp://www.gfi.com/parent-teen-internet-safety-reporthttp://www.gfi.com/parent-teen-internet-safety-reporthttp://www.gfi.com/parent-teen-internet-safety-report


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Designing a Study - Tips

Choose your method

Your question should guide you

Be very clear on your what you want to find out

Familiarize yourself with the method you have chosen

Make sure you understand the important concepts

Do a GOOD literature review

can be before or after you choose your method

Can be very helpful when trying to develop your question

Sample size: how many people should I study? Quantitative - formula-based

Qualitative no clear boundaries; supposed to reach saturation12


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Designing a Study - Tips

Analyze your results

Evaluate the quality of your study

Quantitative

Reliability

Validity

Qualitative

Credibility

Transferability

Dependability

Write it up and submit for publication

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Resources for Research Help

Research Methods Knowledge Base covers the basics of

research

Open Learning Initiatives Statistics and Probability course

full, free stats course from Carnegie Mellon University

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http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.phphttp://oli.web.cmu.edu/openlearning/forstudents/freecourses/statisticshttp://oli.web.cmu.edu/openlearning/forstudents/freecourses/statisticshttp://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.phphttp://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.phphttp://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.php


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Questions?

Annie Downey

Head, Research and Instructional Services

University of North Texas Libraries

Denton, TX

[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

formal and informal learning environments