Professor John H. Falk Professor Lynn D. Dierking Oregon State University USA

Professor John H. Falk

Professor Lynn D. Dierking

Oregon State University

USA

We live in a Learning Society Learning is 24 – 7 – 52 – 80+ Learning is rapidly becoming integral to all aspects of life – work and leisure – with the boundaries becoming ever more blurred

We live in a Learning Society

Learning is 24 – 7 – 52 – 80+

Learning is rapidly becoming integral to all aspects of life – work and leisure – with the boundaries becoming ever more blurred

Learning, Education & School are NOT synonyms!

Learning, Education & School are NOT synonyms!

Children spend 85% of their waking hours outside of school. Over a lifetime, less than 3% of our time is spent participating in formal instruction. Most of what we learn, we learn through free-choice learning.

Children spend 85% of their waking hours outside of school.

Over a lifetime, less than 3% of our time is spent participating in formal instruction.

Most of what we learn, we learn through free-choice learning.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 LIFE SPAN 11:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM 11:00 AM 7:00 AM TIME MONTHS 2 4 6 8 10 12 K-12 College

Free-choice learning is learning that is guided by a person's needs and interests. People engage in free-choice learning throughout their lives to find out more about what they find useful, compelling or just plain interesting.

76% Books, magazines, not for school 74% Life Experiences 74% Television 3. 68% School courses 4. 65% Science Museums, Zoos & Aquariums 57% On the job 55% Family and Friends 31% Radio 10% Internet (NOTE: 3% in 1997)

76% Books, magazines, not for school

74% Life Experiences

74% Television

3. 68% School courses

4. 65% Science Museums, Zoos & Aquariums

57% On the job

55% Family and Friends

31% Radio

10% Internet (NOTE: 3% in 1997)

43% Free-Choice Learning 34% School 23% Work-related

43% Free-Choice Learning

34% School

23% Work-related

Internet Print Media (Books, Magazines, Newspapers Workplace Community Organizations Friends & Family Electronic Media (TV, radio, film) Schools & Universities Faith-based Organizations Museums INDIVIDUAL

Learning begins with the individual. Learning involves others. Learning takes place somewhere. Learning occurs over time.

Learning begins with the individual.

Learning involves others.

Learning takes place somewhere.

Learning occurs over time.

Personal Context Expectations and Motivations Prior Knowledge and Experience Prior Interest Perceived Choice and Control SocioCultural Context Interactions Within Own Social Group Interactions With Staff & Other Visitors Cultural values related to leisure and learning Physical Context Orientation & Advance Organizers Characteristics of the Physical Setting Design of Educational Elements Subsequent Reinforcing Experiences

Personal Context

Expectations and Motivations

Prior Knowledge and Experience

Prior Interest

Perceived Choice and Control

SocioCultural Context

Interactions Within Own Social Group

Interactions With Staff & Other Visitors

Cultural values related to leisure and learning

Physical Context

Orientation & Advance Organizers

Characteristics of the Physical Setting

Design of Educational Elements

Subsequent Reinforcing Experiences

The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. Alvin Toffler

The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Alvin Toffler

Links John H. Falk, Ph.D. more Lynn D. Dierking, Ph.D. more Oregon Sea Grant - Free-Choice Learning faculty Oregon U. Science and mathematics education Ph.D. Program The Institute for Learning Innovation

John H. Falk, Ph.D. more

Lynn D. Dierking, Ph.D. more

Oregon Sea Grant - Free-Choice Learning faculty

Oregon U. Science and mathematics education Ph.D. Program

The Institute for Learning Innovation