When we think of zoos many people think of a fun place where you go to look at exotic animals with friends or family. Although, this is true, there is much more to zoos then the average person might believe. If one explores further and thinks harder about what a zoo really is, one might come to conclusion that it is in fact an informal learning space. Informal learning spaces are places where people gather other than the regular classroom setting to learn.(Siebert-Evenstone,2016) One of the main focuses of informal learning spaces is that they encourage learning by doings, which is unlike the formal way of learning. Informal learning further differs from formal learning because it is often unstructured and unintentional. (Siebert-Evenstone,2016) …show more content…
Firstly, informal learning can be connected with the history of school by the fact that the concepts are completely opposite. In the olden days schools were equated to factories, where the superintendent was considered the boss, teachers were considered the employees, and students were the products. This mentality created classes that were taught with the notion that punctuality, order, and regularity are what lead to equity and success. (Siebert-Evenstone,2016) Schools were very strict and formal, with the teacher being in absolute control and the centre of learning. Learning was either from a text or lecture, with the expectation that students were to repeat the given information either orally or in written form. This old formal concept of teaching is very dissimilar from informal learning, because informal learning is often unstructured, student directed, voluntary and inquiry-driven. Secondly, informal learning is connected with constructivism. Constructivism is a learning theory that suggests that individuals construct what they learn and understand. (Siebert-Evenstone,2016) The concept of constructivism is similar to what informal learning spaces try to promote. For example: constructivism emphasizes,the belief that learners need to contribute to their own learning, and that social interaction is important in the development of skills and knowledge. (Siebert-Evenstone,2016) This is like informal learning spaces because these spaces also encourage self-inquiry and socialization. At the zoo the learner decides what information he or she wants to learn. The learner can chose to either go to a certain exhibit within the zoo or not. The learner is also able to interact with and observe other people at the zoo to gain for knowledge of the
In the article, Orens writes, “The San Diego Zoo offers tours, camps, art and photography courses.” This means that the San Diego Zoo offers many different educational courses. This means that the courses this zoo offers many programs for kids and adult to take which any other places don’t provide. This proves at zoos are useful for educational purposes for students. This matters because zoos offer many different programs for anybody to learn.
Zoos have been with us throughout our history, and can provide a good barometer of public beliefs and values at any given time. Therefore it seems necessary to explore whether in today’s society contemporary zoos are a means of educating and conserving or still seek to control and exhibit animal others for human benefit. In order to make this assessment there are a number of contributing factors. Firstly it is important to establish context by considering the history of zoos and looking at the changes from the early menageries to contemporary zoos who strive to be institutions of refuge for animals facing twenty-first century global challenges. This links into how the physical space of zoos has changed over time and whether these advancements have made any crucial difference to the welfare of animals. Following this conservation, education and scientific research will be explored in detail in order to assess whether they provide good enough motives for keeping animals in captivity. I will seek to argue that although attempts have been made to point zoos in the direction of conservation and education, in my opinion the concepts of dominance and human superiority are still at the core of modern zoos.
In “Why zoos are good” Dr. Dave Hone highlights education as one of the main reasons he supports zoos, mentioning how many people who live in cities may never get to experience wild animals if it weren’t for zoos. Hone states educational videos and documentaries are an option, but they “pale next to seeing a living creature in the flesh, hearing it, smelling it, watching what it does and having the time to absorb details” (Hone). Not only do zoos provide interactive learning opportunities and a direct opportunity to experience how animals behave in the flesh, Hones notes zoos can be educational else where, as a significant amount work to send workers abroad to conservatives to help educate others on how to improve conditions for the animals. However, there is another side to the educational perspective. A critic of zoos, Yourofsky argues against the positive education experience others believe zoos provide, supporting his opinion with how the animals are in their unnatural habitats. Yourofsky writes, “one cannot learn about animals who are in an UNNATURAL habitat displaying UNNATURAL behaviors from the stress of confinement and lethargy of captivity” (Yourofsky). Hence, from this logic the educational experience is minimized because the animals are in an inaccurate environment, impacting behavior and differentiating from how they would truly behave
Dr. Dave Hone (2014) proudly honors the title of being in the pro-zoo camp. Hone was a volunteer for a number of years at two different zoos and is able to identify zoos as being more than just a collection of animals (Hone, 2014, para. 2) He firsthand witnessed the importance of how conservation assists with preventing species from going extinct, the role education plays to inform many children and adults along with the guidance research shares to help better understand wildlife (Hone, 2014). In order to ensure that wild animals receive maximum care it is crucial to gain beneficial knowledge from research. In addition to understanding animal breeding through research, zoo officials are able to learn how to prevent and cure a variety of animal diseases. Education is another positive resource that zoos have to offer. There is always the option to learn about wild animals through animal documentaries, however many people enjoy a prominent up-close personal
For hundreds of years, eager visitors have journeyed to see animals from various parts of the Earth. Zoological institutions have been provided a place where both wild animals and humans can convene in a controlled manor. A zoo’s purpose is to conserve wild animals’ lives, educate visitors, and provide a site where wild life research can readily take place (Demartoto). Many hold a positive view on zoos. Some believe that zoological institutions provide a safe environment for animals and provide the animals with the best care. However, many find zoos to be guilty of stealing animals’ freedom and dignity. Animal welfare has become a major issue within zoological institutions. The question of whether or not zoos are actually
Since approximately 1250 B.C., ancient Egyptians had created and practiced the capture and display of animals in what are now known as zoos (Fravel). Records describe such exotic animals as birds, lions, giraffes, and tigers in captivity (Fravel). Since then, zoos have continued to entertain millions with the exciting chance to view exotic animals up close and personal. Even in ancient Greece, exotic animals were on display in fighting arenas, and in enclosed viewing areas. Originally in America, zoos were just created so that royalty and the wealthy could flaunt their exotic animals to the public (Leolupus). Today, with species threatened and habitats disappearing worldwide, zoos are serving a new purpose other than the mere exhibition of animals – conservation. (Fravel). When you think of a zoo, you either think of a fun, entertaining place that provides close-up and exciting exhibits of wild animals that you would otherwise never get the chance to see, or a place where people keep suffering, unhappy animals captive just for entertainment and display. However, despite whichever view you hold, and despite the stereotypes, some zoos have evolved to serve alternative and helpful purposes. Although some zoos face controversy due to allegations such as lack of space and quality care, neglect, and cruelty, some zoos have programs specifically designed to help and protect animal species. For example, these zoos have programs that help such conservation efforts as breeding.
In this essay I will be describing various types of learning styles and stating the advantages and disadvantages of these learning styles. I will also inform you of the most commonly used method of finding out your own learning style, and I will inform you of the man who made this method. Finally, I will write about my own preferred learning styles and the strengths and weaknesses of the different learning styles.
Every year, the zoo offers a number of classes to volunteers and students that are based solely on the handling of their animals, how people can help in the world, and can put people face-to-face with the animals to form a bond. The zoo has 126 animals that are used to aide in educational demonstrations, and this is in addition to the animals they show in the exhibits. Annually the zoo educates approximately 215,000 people with nearly 80.5 thousand hours of volunteer service provided. Their education system is important to the health of all their animals because it displays the time and effort dedicated to the care of the animals they have there. They also conduct daily exercises and training with the animals to make sure they are receiving enough exercise. A large chunk of all funding that the zoo receives go directly to the buying of food for the animals. They all eat different types of food sources to maintain healthy diets that relate to what they would consume in their original habitat. The zoo pushes the community, and it’s researchers/vets/trainers to all become invested and well-educated in the study of animal
What do you think about zoos? Children standing in front of big cages, feel excited to see those lovely animals and share the joy with their parents. Parents will then read aloud the information on the signs to educate the children. At lunch hour, animals in bonds wait for delicious dishes provided by zoo keepers and live happily ever after. It seems that zoos are really a heaven to us and animals. It gives us a place to keep close to nature, saving those little pitiful things in wild. Unluckily, that is not the truth we wished. Indeed, zoos magnify their contribution to educational circle, exaggerating the importance of role play in conservation work, in order to cover those disgraceful secrets behind.
The world we live in is getting busier by the second. What a scary concept to continue your education all the while meeting life’s high demands- rent, utilities, and food. When a person pictures learning, more often than not a classroom will come to mind where the student is learning from the teacher. This is the very essence of formal learning- teacher lectures, student takes notes, and then exams are given. In contrast, informal learning is “where learners are participating in intentional or unintentional experiences outside school settings (Looi page 3, 2nd paragraph).” In this regard, online learning is considered to be an informal learning experience. Informal education is learner driven that can happen relatively anywhere. Kim and Bonk (2006) state that, “While institutions of higher education have increasingly embraced online education, and the
Colardyn, Danielle and Jens Bjornavold. "Validation of Formal, Non-Formal and Informal Learning: policy and practices in EU Member States1." European journal of education, 39. 1 (2004): 69--89. Print.
However, educational benefits zoos provide are minimal because animals are in their unnatural environment and behave differently. In his book Wild Animals in Captivity, Rob Laidlaw describes how animal behavior at zoos is completely different from behavior in natural environments. Small spaces and boredom leads to frustration and repetitive actions, such as a monkey rocking back and forth continuously. Laidlaw writes, “At many of the zoos I visit, I see animals doing things their species never do in the wild” (Laidlaw 9). Therefore, what an individual observes at the zoo is untrue to the animal’s natural behavior and the educational experience is false. Moreover, there would be more of an educational benefit from watching documentaries about animals in the wild or reading books on how certain species behave and interact. Even though zoos provide up close interaction with animals, they lack the ability to educate visitors on how animals truly behave. Additionally in a study that further undermines the educational value of zoos, Eric Jenson’s “Evaluating Children 's Conservation Biology Learning at the Zoo” examines the before and after effects surrounding children’s (ages 7-15) knowledge of animals and conservation. He found that the standard unguided zoo experience resulted in negative understanding of animals and their habitats. Only when children were lead by a guide where they more likely to
There are seven learning styles and techniques. The first kind of learner is a visual learner also known as a spatial, this is when someone prefers using pictures and images to understand a topic. The aural learner also known as the auditory-musical person, is a person who prefers using music or sound. There is the verbal learner or the linguistic person who prefers using words, both in speech and writing. Next is the physical learner also known as the kinesthetic learner, the preference of this learner would be using the body, hands, and sense of touch to learn. Following that would be the logical thinker or the mathematical person, who prefers using logic, reasoning and systems to learn. The social learner also known as the interpersonal learner is someone who prefers to learn in groups and with other people. This type of learning style can be great for student in the traditional classroom setting. Last there is the solitary learner or the intrapersonal person. This is someone who prefers to work alone and use self-study methods. This type of learner would best be fit in the online classroom setting. Knowing what type of learner, you are can be important in helping to improve the speed and quality of learning. It can help avoid putting a student in an awkward position. Learning styles can have a great impact on students just as much as the
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication. People could find out distance learning on the internet or searching form the school, sometimes teachers would introduce the best or the most credibility distance learning web. Such as class.com and University of Phoenix, etc. Distance learning is less expensive and is not constrained by geographic considerations; it offers opportunities in situations where traditional education has difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be delivered virtually anywhere. Under the unified leadership of the distance learning education, the modern distance learning education work gradual increase the number of school has now reached a certain scale. However, not every school or any distance learning education has clear idea for the modern education. Many people have differences understandings and it formed a big deviation. It can be said, for the purpose of developing the distance learning education and the hopes has not formed a consensus, which leads to very often difficult to form in the actual work force.
People all around the world love visiting the zoo - especially the kids! To be able to see their favorite animals playing around or just admiring the beauty of these creatures makes their eyes sparkle. Although seeing the animals is truly amazing, a question that is frequently asked is: “How do they manage in captivity? Are they happy living in here?” Merely looking at the animals may not reveal much about how they feel or manage in captivity, unless someone could speak to the animals but that’s not likely. Therefore, this topic requires some research. So let’s grab some thinking helmets. First, we will explore the history of zoological gardens or zoos in general.