Enhancing Science Learning through Learning Experiences outside School (LEOS)

Sandhya Devi Coll, Ph.D., works for the World Health Organization as a Technical Officer, promoting national health education. She is a passionate and highly experienced secondary school science teacher. Her research focusses on innovative use of digital technologies to enhance learning outside schools.Richard K. Coll, Ph.D., Sc.Ed.D., is Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Education at The University of the South Pacific. He has authored more than 250 scholarly articles. His research focusses on cooperative and science education.

• ForewordDavid F. TreagustAbout the CoverList of Figures and TablesPart 1: What Research Has to Tell Teachers about Learning Experiences outside School (LEOS)Chapter 1: Enhancing Science LearningChapter OverviewIntroductionEducational ContextResearch in LEOSStructure and Organization of the BookAssumptions and Terms Used in LEOS Writing and LiteratureChapter 2: Formal, Informal, Non-Formal Learning & Free-Choice LearningChapter OverviewIntroductionTheories of LearningBehaviorist Theories of LearningConstructivismSocial ConstructivismSociocultural Theories of LearningTypes of LearningFormal LearningNon-Formal LearningInformal LearningChapter 3: Learning Experiences outside SchoolChapter OverviewIntroductionWays by Which LEOS May Be FacilitatedLearning Environments and LEOSLEOS: Implications for School ScienceChapter 4: The Learner-Integrated Field Trip Inventory (LIFTI)Chapter OverviewIntroductionLearner-Integrated Field Trip Inventory (LIFTI)Chapter 5: Integrating Formal, Informal and Non-Formal Learning Using the Digitally-Integrated Fieldtrip Inventory (DIFI)Chapter OverviewIntroductionBlended LearningThe Digitally-Integrated Fieldtrip Inventory (DIFI)Part 2: The Practice of Learning Experiences outside SchoolChapter 6: Learning Biological Sciences via Learning Experiences outside SchoolIntroductionBiological SciencesReflections and ConclusionsChapter 7: Learning Chemical Sciences via Learning Experiences outside SchoolIntroductionChemical SciencesReflections and ConclusionsChapter 8: Learning Earth & Space Sciences via Learning Experiences outside SchoolIntroductionEarth & Space SciencesReflections and ConclusionsChapter 9: Learning Physical Sciences via Learning Experiences outside SchoolIntroductionPhysical SciencesReflections and ConclusionsAppendix: The New Zealand Curriculum and Science CurriculumIndex

"The need to enhance the quality of the learning of science that takes place in formal educational contexts (schools) is now recognised world-wide. The value of other contexts as such- for example, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and computer-based access to these- are gradually being identified and their contribution to the learning in formal contexts established. At the same time, the descriptors of the learning that may take place- free-choice, non-formal, informal – are being refined. This plethora of opportunities places great demands on science teachers, who have to address definite learning objectives in particular subjects –normally physics, chemistry, biology, earth science- and with specific groups of students. This volume gives practical advice, based on research, to teachers on how this may best be done. By using that advice, teachers will most effectively prepare students for the multi-model world in which the social media play an increasing part."- John K. Gilbert, Professor Emeritus, The University of Reading