ICLS 2000 Proceedings

Identity Development through Participation in an Informal Setting

Joseph L. Polman
University of Missouri-St. Louis
School of Education
8001 Natural Bridge Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63121-4899
Tel: 314-516-7210, Fax: 314-516-5348
Email: polman@umsl.edu

Abstract: Development among participants in learning environments is not limited to cognitive mastery, or "knowing how" and "knowing that." Rather, it often involves appropriation, a process of making ideas one's own, or part of one's identity. A case study of one child's development through participation in an after school club illustrates the benefits of considering both mastery and appropriation as important benchmarks of success.

Keywords: learning environments, informal learning environments, learning theory

Preferred Citation Format:
Polman, J.L. (2000). Identity Development through Participation in an Informal Setting. In B. Fishman & S. O'Connor-Divelbiss (Eds.), Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference of the Learning Sciences (pp. 340-341). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

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