Research Article

Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables

Volume: 15 Number: 3 December 25, 2025

Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables

Abstract

This study aims to identify the informal learning resources of middle and high school students and to examine the effects of certain individual, familial, and environmental socio-demographic variables on their İnformal learning opportunities (ILOs). The sample of the study consisted of 1,310 students from grades 5 to 10 in a province located in eastern Türkiye. This survey-based study collected data through the Informal Learning Opportunities Test (ILOT), and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA. In addition to the statistical analyses, effect size values were also calculated to assess the practical significance of the results. The results of this study revealed that middle and high school students predominantly engaged in informal learning through easily accessible sources within their immediate environments. While the results showed no significant differences in students’ ILOs based on gender, notable variations were observed according to grade level, place of residence, living arrangements during the school term, family’s economic status, and parents’ education levels and occupations. Nevertheless, the effect size values calculated based on the statistical results showed that the differences associated with living with family, family’s economic status, father's education level, and mother's occupation were not practically significant. In contrast, the results of the study revealed that among the variables examined, grade level, place of residence, mother's education level, and father's occupation had a practically significant moderate effect on students’ ILOs. Based on these results, it is recommended that educational policies and school practices take into account students’ grade levels, places of residence, mothers’ educational levels, and fathers’ occupations in order to enhance their access to ILOs.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by Kafkas University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office with the code 2022-SB-59

Project Number

2022-SB-59

Ethical Statement

The data of the study were collected in accordance with ethical standards. 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.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Informal Learning

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 9, 2025

Publication Date

December 25, 2025

Submission Date

May 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
İnaltekin, T., & Karaçöp, A. (2025). Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 15(3), 357-384. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1690701
AMA
1.İnaltekin T, Karaçöp A. Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables. SUJE. 2025;15(3):357-384. doi:10.19126/suje.1690701
Chicago
İnaltekin, Tufan, and Ataman Karaçöp. 2025. “Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15 (3): 357-84. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1690701.
EndNote
İnaltekin T, Karaçöp A (December 1, 2025) Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15 3 357–384.
IEEE
[1]T. İnaltekin and A. Karaçöp, “Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables”, SUJE, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 357–384, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.19126/suje.1690701.
ISNAD
İnaltekin, Tufan - Karaçöp, Ataman. “Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15/3 (December 1, 2025): 357-384. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1690701.
JAMA
1.İnaltekin T, Karaçöp A. Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables. SUJE. 2025;15:357–384.
MLA
İnaltekin, Tufan, and Ataman Karaçöp. “Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables”. Sakarya University Journal of Education, vol. 15, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 357-84, doi:10.19126/suje.1690701.
Vancouver
1.Tufan İnaltekin, Ataman Karaçöp. Informal Learning Opportunities of Middle and High School Students: A Comparative Analysis Based on Selected Variables. SUJE. 2025 Dec. 1;15(3):357-84. doi:10.19126/suje.1690701