Informella lärandemiljöers bidrag till naturvetenskaplig undervisning. En litteraturstudie om hur informella lärandemiljöer påverkar elevers intresse för biologi

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to investigate how informal learning environments contribute to students' interests in science and biology. The literature review also aimed to investigate how informal learning environments can contribute to teachers' teaching. Peer-reviewed articles have been retrieved from various databases and analyzed based on selected criteria linked to the purpose and questions. The result showed that students' interest in science was positively stimulated by visits to informal learning environments when a clear purpose, preparation and post-visit activities were part of the structure linked to visits. If this structure was lacking, the visit would not be interesting. The results also showed how students' motivation and commitment to science increased when teaching in informal learning environments. Informal learning environments can also develop teachers' own teaching by taking part in teaching methods used there. They can also be used for competence development purposes for teachers. This literature study confirms that informal learning environments can be a good complement to formal teaching as the visits often arouse students' interest.