Finding fun in non-formal technology education

Abstract In this exploratory study into the world of 8-17-year-old children’s non-formal technology education, two different types of technology education with varying levels of non-formality were investigated to see how participants find fun in these situations as it is apparent that if something is non-mandatory to attend to, there should be some type of enjoyment found in the process. The results of the analysis suggest that there are three main ways children and teenagers have fun in non-formal education: fun from the tasks they are doing, social fun by sharing with other attendants, and pedagogical fun that has been embedded in the learning process. Based on our findings, we offer suggestions for how to add elements of fun in the non-formal technology education, to make it more motivating and enjoyable to the participants.