Re: evaluating the informal
nate (schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu)
Sat, 16 Jan 1999 15:59:49 -0600
It seems if the setting is compulsary or not would on some level
determine if it is a formal/informal learning environment. From
my recollection of Mike's book, in the 5th D, there was a level
of tension between activities kids would find enjoyable and
activities that addressed parents/communities educational
concerns. If the activities were not enjoyable on some level the
kids would not participate. In formal learning enviroments
participation is required, so teachers-adults don't have to
struggle with designing activities that strike a balance between
child and parent/community needs. As an example, I recently got
a note from my son's teacher that he was defacing school
property. He was actually bored with the activity he was forced
to participate in, so participated in the only other activity
that he saw available to him - making pictures on his desk. In
an informal learning environment such as an afterschool setting
if one finds one activity boring you go to another. If one
wants children to participate in a more "formal learning
activity" it needs to be designed in a way that children are
motivated to engage in it.
Nate
Nate Schmolze
http://www.geocities.com/~nschmolze/
schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu
People with great passions, people who accomplish great deeds,
People who possess strong feelings even people with great minds
and a strong personality, rarely come out of good little boys
and girls
L.S. Vygotsky