Topic: Informal Learning

Informal learning occurs in many venues outside of schools: in museums and community centers, through the media, and increasingly through Web sites. Educators recognize the value of capitalizing on these opportunities to extend the learning of children and adults alike. The National Science Foundation, for example, supports a wide range of research studies on informal learning, and Rockman has often served as the evaluator for these projects and programs.

Animation Program The goal of the ACME Network’s ACME Animation program is to create a permanent continuum for skill development, school achievement, and career success in art and animation for diverse and economically disadvantaged youth and young adults. REA served as the evaluator this program. more» Client: The ACME Network Funding Agency: The ACME Network Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, Web Sites, Distance Learning

Audience Study for Science Video Project Through surveys and interviews of people participating in science-related educational programs and lecture series offered by museums and universities and surveys of people involved in science-related interest groups online, Rockman et al sought to better understand the needs of the target audience and their potential interest in a new, high-level, science video series. more» Client: Undisclosed Funding Agency: Undisclosed Topic: Informal Learning

Big Read Public Library Study In collaboration with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts, REA surveyed some 14,000 public libraries across the U.S. that received The Big Read Audio Guides. The initial surveys were designed to learn how libraries might use the resources, with regular patrons, book clubs, schools, and in other literary and literacy outreach efforts. more» Client: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Funding Agency: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach

Bill Nye the Science Guy Bill Nye the Science Guy is a high energy, inquiry-based educational television program presenting science content directed at fourth grade students. This nationally syndicated series is funded by NSF and Disney. more» Client: KCTS, Seattle Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio

Build San Francisco Rockman et al developed a system for assessing the degree to which the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF)'s Build SF students acquire and master a range of 21st Century Learning Skills in their program mentorships. more» Client: Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF) Funding Agency: Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF) Topic: Assessment, Informal Learning

Critical Choices Rockman et al worked in conjunction with an internal evaluator at Northern Illinois University to evaluate the development of an online program to teach soft skills (time management, conflict resolution, professional behavior, etc.) to unemployed and underemployed individuals. more» Client: Northern Illinois University Funding Agency: U.S. Government: Learning Anytime, Anywhere Program Topic: Informal Learning, Web Sites, Technology and Education, Distance Learning

DNA Files SoundVision Productions is developing a sequel to the award-winning DNA Files radio program. It is designed to educate the general public on topics related to genetic science. The accompanying Web site is designed to provide additional educational resources even after the program is off-air. more» Client: SoundVision Productions Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Web Sites

DragonflyTV Rockman et al developed an impact study for the educational television program: DragonflyTV, a science program for and about 9-12 year old children, during its second season. A controlled classroom viewing protocol was established for schools in Chicago and San Francisco. more» Client: Twin Cities Public Television Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio

Earthquake Show Evaluation Rockman et al (REA) was contracted by the California Academy of Sciences to conduct an onsite visitor and online survey in support of the Academy’s Earthquake show planned for 2012. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: California Academy of Sciences Topic: Informal Learning, Museum

Environmental Science Information Technology Activities (ESITA) The Environmental Science Information Technology Activities (ESITA) project was a youth-based program that provided an opportunity for high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds to learn about and use information technology (IT) through science exploration. Students participated in after school and summer workshops to learn about the process of scientific inquiry, and to learn about and use IT to conduct air and water quality research in their own communities. more» Client: Lawrence Hall of Science Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Assessment, Informal Learning, Technology and Education

Evaluation of QUEST QUEST is an effort by KQED to tap into the region’s interest in science, environment, and nature, to provide entertaining and informative content about current local issues in science-environment-nature and to engage the greater Bay Area in conversations about and actions for these issues. Rockman et al evaluated pilot materials — including pieces for radio and TV, educational outreach workshops, and descriptive materials for a Web site. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: KQED Public Television Topic: Informal Learning

Evaluation of QUEST - 2 QUEST is a science and nature show based in the northern California geographic area. Launched by San Francisco PBS station KQED in February 2007, the show is broadcast on three media platforms, including television, radio, and the web. The project also involves partnerships with Bay Area science organizations and educational outreach. Content of the show focuses on nine areas: astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, environment, geology, health, physics and weather. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: KQED Public Television Topic: Informal Learning

Evaluation of the Youth Radio Science and Technology Program Youth Radio's (YR) mission is "to promote young people's intellectual, creative and professional growth through training and access to media and to produce the highest quality original media for local and national outlets." Their NSF-funded Science and Technology Program (STP) consists of developing a Digital Technology Institute and YR Science Desk as new components of the existing YR organization. more» Client: Youth Radio Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Technology and Education

Havenscourt Salad Bar Evaluation REA conducted an evaluation of the impact of a salad bar implementation at the Havenscourt Middle School complex in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Project evaluation included pre-implementation student surveys and interviews, lunchroom observations, and post-implementation interviews with key project stakeholders (students, teachers, and administrators). more» Client: Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach, School Services

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures REA served as the evaluator of educational outreach activities for a new six-part KQED series called Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Adventure. In the program, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his diving teams explore an array of natural phenomena, investigate little known territories and ecosystems hundreds of feet beneath the ocean's surface, and come face to face with the friendly and ferocious inhabitants of the deep. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: The Dow Chemical Company. Additional Major Support from: the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, Ann Bowers and The Robert Noyce Trust, the William and Gretchen Kimball Fund, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

KIDS iPod Study In the spring of 2010, Rockman et al helped to evaluate the educational impact of children's use of iPod Touch devices loaded with two applications developed by PBS KIDS. Specifically, REA’s evaluation team sought to determine: 1) usability and usage trends, 2) popularity and appeal, and 3) learning outcomes. more» Client: PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) Funding Agency: PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) Topic: Informal Learning

Learning Without Borders The Learning Without Borders (LWB) program was implemented in three schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). All fourth-grade classrooms in these schools received the LWB arts curriculum and served as the treatment group. . more» Client: East Bay Center for Performing Arts (EBCPA) Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education Topic: School Reform, Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning

Media in Informal Science Rockman et al was asked by the National Research Council to write a paper on adult's media-based learning in informal science. The paper includes a comprehensive review of evaluation reports and articles on informal science education media and applicable learning theories. more» Client: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Funding Agency: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Informational Media

NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Science Reports Rockman et al developed an impact study for the television program: NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. NewsHour received a grant from the National Science Foundation to create a special science unit. The mission of the unit was to document significant science research projects in progress and to report on major scientific achievements and discoveries. more» Client: MacNeil/Lehrer Productions Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio

OpenWorld Learning: Program Impact Study Rockman conducted an external evaluation of OpenWorld Learning, a Denver-area after-school program that seeks to increase students' love of learning and leadership using innovative technology and peer-teaching. The evaluation focused on student outcomes in the 4 areas of academic engagement, leadership skills, love of learning, and social-emotional well-being. more» Client: OpenWorld Learning Funding Agency: OpenWorld Learning Topic: Informal Learning, Technology and Education

Science and Math in Spanish-language Media The Science and Math in Spanish-language Media Project will bring standards-based science and math activities into the homes of Latino communities traditionally underserved by science centers. more» Client: Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education Program (ISE) Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach, Informational Media

Science Fiction Museum During the first part of 2004, Rockman et al conducted a series of research activities for the Science Fiction Museum that were designed to identify potential museum visitors’ perceptions of the relationship between science fiction and science. more» Client: Experience Learning Community (ELC) Funding Agency: National Science Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Museum

Seeing in the Dark Seeing in the Dark, a documentary film about stargazing directed by Timothy Ferris, is based on Ferris' book (of the same name) that was named by The New York Times as one of the 10 best non-fiction books of 2002. The program is in part personal documentary, as well as profiles the work of amateur astronomers. more» Client: Tim Ferris Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Web Sites, Informational Media

Solar Schools Evaluation Rockman et al is conducting an evaluation of Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) Solar Schools program. Solar Schools was developed to educate students, teachers, and communities about: the importance of electricity as an energy form, the value of renewable solar energy in meeting current and future energy needs, and solar energy technologies. more» Client: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Professional Development, Community Outreach

Where Fun and Learning Click! Rockman et al coordinated a comprehensive literature review related to the design of Web resources for children. Researchers then worked closely with five Web site design teams who were awarded funding as part of the Where Fun and Learning Click! program to gather user feedback at various stages during the design of their sites. more» Client: Corporation for Public Broadcasting Funding Agency: Corporation for Public Broadcasting Topic: Informal Learning, Web Sites