ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Why are science centres mainly evaluated in terms of their support for 
formal learning? We all know they can offer far more than that.

Does formal learning focused on written examinations and curriculum 
box-ticking really merit a higher status? Or is it just easier to measure? 
Are understanding, skills and positive attitudes worth less when acquired 
outside the classroom?

How about all formal teaching being officially required to show a 
measurable increase in real-life, real-world-context, out-of-school 
INFORMAL learning? That would really set the cat among the pigeons... 
Imagine if examinations also measured the school's performance in getting 
kids to LIKE the subject...

I think informal learning is harder to fund because it's harder to measure. 
But is support for formal learning really the best yard-stick?


[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
*
Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
*
Ian Russell 

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