A History of Serving the Learning Community
Originally called Science Learning, Inc., the Institute for Learning Innovation was founded by Dr. John H. Falk to offer after-school science experiences. By 1990, our focus had shifted to understanding, supporting, and promoting learning in informal settings — learning that is self-motivated and lifelong. Renamed in 1996 to better reflect our mission, the Institute for Learning Innovation coined and championed the term "Free-Choice Learning" to distinguish self-guided exploration from traditional learning, the kind that takes place in the classroom or workshop.
For more than twenty years, we have helped educators integrate research and evaluation findings into project planning, as well as the everyday life of informal learning institutions. We have broken new ground and helped shape national policy by hosting major national "Learning Innovation Initiatives" that have enriched our understanding of lifelong learning and have developed ways to achieve consensus on improving the quality of free-choice learning in specific settings.
The wide variety of institutions that have engaged the Institute for Learning Innovation, include:
- Museums of every kind — including zoos, aquaria, historic homes, and science centers
- Community-based organizations, like Boys and Girls Clubs and 4-H Clubs
- Public television stations
- Libraries
- Scientific societies
- Humanities councils
- Government agencies and professional associations
Our collaborations have yielded landmark achievements:
- The first comprehensive investigation of factors influencing African-American utilization of museums;
- The development and national dissemination of science education materials for adolescent babysitters and families;
- The first significant longitudinal investigations of visitor learning in and from art, history, and science-related museums;
- And the first definitive investigations of the role that visitor motivations play in the learning process in such settings.
The immediate goal for the Institute for Learning Innovation is to develop effective methods to support non-formal learning in our partner organizations. In the long term, our goal is to support access to rich and meaningful learning experiences for everyone, and raise awareness of the vital role played by an educated citizenry in a civil society.
