PT Journal
AU Kvasnicak, R
   Prokop, P
   Pistova, Z
TI The effect of informal learning on students' knowledge of and ideas about ecology
SO e-Pedagogium
PY 2005
BP 28
EP 38
VL 5
IS 4
DE Informal learning; knowledge of ecology; ecosystems; drawing method
AB In this study we investigated the effect of informal learning on students' knowledge of ecology. Children's drawing served as the primary data collection method (with a high reliability coefficient, Cronbach's α = 0.90). An experimental group (with the influence of informal learning) and a control group (without an experimental influence) underwent pretests and posttests. The posttest scores show a significant between-group difference in the expected direction; the experimental group had higher scores on average when compared to the control group. Interestingly, understanding of forest ecosystems was worse in comparison to the understanding of meadow, soil, and water systems across groups; informal learning did not have an effect in this respect.
ER