Zoos and aquariums have shifted their focus over recent years, taking a much more active role in wildlife conservation promoting learning among visitors. Research these settings provides valuable foundation for the emerging field of non‐captive tourism. In particular, lessons regarding potential impact encounters on visitors' attitudes behaviour can be drawn from research zoos aquariums. This paper explores those aspects that appear to contribute most learning. These include observing...

Environmental education, both in and outside of the classroom, aims to facilitate adoption sustainable practice by school students general public. This paper explores role free‐choice learning experiences this regard. An overview theoretical approaches underpinning research is provided, examples are presented ways which informal educational settings can promote environmentally attitudes behaviour, factors contributing effectiveness these endeavours discussed. By reviewing evidence relation...

Abstract This paper investigates the use of reflective journals to facilitate student learning during a teacher education practicum. Thirty‐five teachers undertaking 1‐year Graduate Diploma Education submitted weekly journal entries their 11‐week practicum and were interviewed at several stages about educational beliefs practices. Students randomly assigned four intervention conditions which varied content journalling (experiential or cognitive) context (provision dialogue based on...

ABSTRACT Museums, art galleries, botanical gardens, national parks, science centers, zoos, aquaria and historic sites are important public learning institutions. The free‐choice offered in these settings is closely linked to visitors' intrinsic motivation, making it understand the motivational factors that impact on experiences. This paper presents data from a questionnaire administered visitors at three sites: museum, an gallery, aquarium. Similarities differences among reported relation...

Abstract Increasingly, environmental educators are incorporating visits to natural areas into their learning programmes for school students. This paper investigates students' expectations regarding education experiences in and the attitudinal behaviour changes they report as a result of involvement such programmes. Questionnaire responses from 580 students aged 8-17 years confirmed that environments is attractive has an important impact on attitudes towards environment, desire look after...

Abstract Educators have identified four categories of ‘productive pedagogies’ that are considered to lead authentic student engagement and learning in the classroom. This study was designed explore extend these pedagogies context natural environments, particular, through programmes Queensland environmental education centres. In‐depth interview observation data were collected from students, classroom teachers centre who had participated 12 across Queensland, order identify strategies most...

Although the social, emotional, physical and cognitive benefits of engagement in music are well known, little research has been conducted on psychological context festivals. This article draws theoretical constructs from field positive psychology to interpret impact festival attendance participants’ social well-being. Qualitative quantitative data were collected a focus group questionnaire survey with young festival-goers aged 18—29 years. Four facets experience identified that associated...

Abstract Educators have invested considerable effort in developing environmental education programs that address students' knowledge, attitudes, and action competence regarding issues. The authors explore the effectiveness of such terms both student learning outcomes intergenerational influence results when students discuss their experiences with parents other community members. Six involving 284 Queensland schools, from Grades 5-12, were investigated. Students surveyed interviewed...

This paper argues the need for providers of ecotourism and other free‐choice environmental learning experiences to promote adoption environmentally sustainable actions beyond their own sites, when visitors return home environments. Previous research indicates that although often leave such with a heightened awareness conservation issues intentions adopt responsible behaviours, only minority translate these into real actions. Building on theory in relation visitor environments, identifies...

Abstract What do visitors want or expect from an educational leisure activity such as a visit to museum, zoo, aquarium other experience? Is it learn something experience learning? This paper uses the term “learning for fun” refer phenomenon in which engage learning because they value and enjoy process of itself. Five propositions regarding nature fun are discussed, drawing on quantitative qualitative data range activities. The commonalities between theoretical constructs “experience,”...

Abstract A theoretical model is presented for developing environmental conceptions that incorporate knowledge, attitudes/values, and behavioral orientations. Developing in education involves the use of a range strategies designed to integrate an individual's behavior. The proposed approach broadens teaching area traditionally has had attitudes/values focus. application constructivist principles learning provides basis encouraging students become aware of, challenge inconsistencies in, make...

Abstract This paper explores the beneficial outcomes that visitors seek and obtain from a museum visit, in terms are not related to learning outcomes. It uses deductive qualitative approach investigate meaning value of visit visitors' perspective. Three different levels experience considered: attributes setting value; experiences they engage in; benefits derive. The findings confirm importance “satisfying experiences” framework for understanding visitor museums, extend this relation these...

In western society since the 1970s, interpretation has played an important role in improving tourists' appreciation of natural environment, developing their environmental attitudes and facilitating adoption environmentally sensitive behaviour. China, attractions is a more recent phenomenon largely cognitive approach been taken, focusing on presentation scientific information. This paper questions whether "scientific" used development Chinese areas meets needs tourists. It explores this...

Abstract This research examines and compares the experiences of visitors ( N = 534) to three different Christian religious heritage sites: Canterbury Cathedral, Shrine Our Lady Walsingham Glastonbury Abbey pilgrimage festival. Employing activity, setting, experience benefit framework, findings indicate that sites attract who seek kinds report benefits. Results restorative benefits often overshadow spiritual or cognitive many believe be primary outcomes tourism. These results challenge...

Although an objective and increasingly common technique in marketing, media psychology, psychophysiological measures are rarely used tourism research to detect consumers’ spontaneous emotional responses. This study examines the use of particular explores usefulness skin conductance (SC) facial electromyography (EMG) methods tracking responses destination advertisements. Thirty-three participants were exposed three advertisements while their self-report ratings, real-time SC EMG data as well...