Investigation of Social and Cultural Informal Learning Opportunities for Middle and High School Students

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 2, 165 - 187, 08.03.2026

Tufan İnaltekin , Ataman Karaçöp , Hakan Akçay

https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.24.13.2

https://izlik.org/JA27GM26DX

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the social and cultural informal learning opportunities of middle and high school students based on gender, grade level, and place of residence. The sample consists of 1,310 students from a province located in eastern Türkiye. Data were collected through three items concerning personal information and two special multiple-response items in the Informal Learning Opportunities Test (ILOT). The data were analyzed using multiple response analysis and the chi-square test of independence. The results indicated that gender did not significantly influence students’ camp preferences; however, it had a significant effect on their activity preferences. Both boy and girl students exhibited low participation in science camps, yet girl students tended to prefer social, cultural, and nature-based activities, while boy students favored physical or technical activities. Participation in STEM-related activities was low for both genders. Grade level did not significantly affect camp preferences but showed a significant influence on activity preferences. Upper-grade students were more open to a variety of camp experiences, whereas 10th-grade students demonstrated limited participation. Younger students (5th and 6th graders) preferred entertainment-oriented visits, 7th graders were more inclined toward science and cultural trips, and older students (9th and 10th graders) tended to engage in vocational visits. Moreover, significant differences were found in both camp and activity preferences according to place of residence. Students from city and district areas participated in camps more frequently than those from villages or metropolitan regions. While village and district students preferred nature-based activities, city students showed a greater inclination toward cultural activities.

Keywords

social and cultural informal learning , middle and high school students , disadvantaged regions

Ethical Statement

Ethical permissions were obtained from the decision of Kafkas University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee dated 10/12/2021 and numbered 25 and the decision of Kars Provincial Directorate of National Education dated 20.09.2022 and numbered E.58291949.

Supporting Institution

Kafkas University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office

Project Number

Kafkas University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office Code: 2022-SB-59

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