Does anyone have ideas on how to assess informal learning? For example, if a class visits a museum for a day of informal learning, what are some creative ways that teachers can be sure the students still learn? Thank you!
Maybe this article could be useful? Informal and incidental learning It has been cited over 1500 times so I think it can at least provide a foundation, if it does not answer your question.
Hi Elizabeth,
I think a great way of tracking the students learning is allowing the to take note of things they found interesting or any questions that come from the experience. Afterwards you can have the student create a project or explore the topic deeper. A scavenger hunt through the museum could help track what the students experience on the trip.
Thanks! Caroline
It would be fun to have your students journal/document their findings from the trip. You and your students could transform your classroom into a mini museum. You could have the students take photos or videos at the museum and have them write, create models, or draw the things they found most interesting about the trip. After they create their mini museum, invite another class in to visit the recreated museum and have your students be guides throught the mini museum for your guests.
I think a great way to track if students are learning or not is to have them make a journal entry at the end of the day with a specific question for them to answer. You could also have them do a scavenger hunt on items throughout the museum, especially ones you may have covered or relates to a topic you talked about during class. Or at the end of the day have students share in a whole group discussion on what they found most interesting/liked about the excursion.
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