"Learning On The Run" TeachT@lk Webinar

On Tuesday, July 12, our TeachT@lk webinar on "informal learning" looked at various examples on integrating this type of learning into our courses. Although there are some challenges for faculty that want to use informal learning like organizing group work, time limitations and assessing the work, the benefits include:

• Reinforcement and extension of important concepts from class
• Appealing to multiple learning preferences
• Connecting class content with a student's personal goals and motivation
• Giving students skills to learn outside, and beyond the classroom
• Helping students develop a Personal Learning Environment (Bonwell & Eison, 1991; Felder & Brent, 2009)

To take advantage of informal learning opportunities, faculty can create open-ended assignments, give students choices in topics, and options for a final deliverable. For these types of projects to be successful faculty should help students identify resources, and develop a work flow, including timelines, goals, and how it will be assessed. They should also require students to submit reflections periodically on their project.

The webinar ended by sharing different types of resources for informal learning materials. We focused on four areas: Academic, Just-in-Time, Mobile, and Social. They are listed below in our Resource Links. Let us know how you plan to use informal learning this summer!

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References, Resources and Links:
Webinar Recording:https://connect.asu.edu/p88c5i76x7u/
PowerPoint slides

References:

• Bonwell, C. C. & Eison, J. A. (1991). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. ASHE–ERIC Higher Education Rep. No. 1. Washington, DC: The George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development.
• Easton, E., S. (2016). Literacy, languages, and leadership: 10 characteristics of informal learning. Retrieved from https://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/characteristics-informal-learning 
• Corss, J. (2007). Informal learning: Rediscovering the natural pathways that inspire innovation and performance. San Francisco: Wiley & Son. 
• Felder, R.M. & Brent, R. (2009). Active learning: An introduction. ASQ Higher Education Brief, 2(4). 
• Inveradi, F. (2016). What is informal learning. Retrieved from http://ed.ted.com/on/Cqe83lmU.

 Academic Examples: MOOCs and courses from a variety of institutions

• http://www.harvard.edu/itunes
• https://www.coursera.org/ 
• https://www.edx.org/gfa 
• https://www.khanacademy.org/

 Just in Time Examples: Quick tutorials and information available as needed

• Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/ (try searching on a topic from your class!)
• Lynda: https://www.lynda.com/
• Favorite Podcasts:
• NPR: http://npr.org/podcasts
• Revisionist History: http://revisionisthistory.com/about

 Mobile Examples: Location-based and augmented reality

• History Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA6MerS-vZ0
• HistoryPin: https://www.historypin.org/en/
• Geocaching: https://www.geocaching.com/play   

Social Examples: Collection of content from variety of online sources and peers

• Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/
• TweetDeck: https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/