Digital media in institutional informal learning places: A systematic literature review

Digital media can have high potential for supporting learning processes. This assumption also holds true for institutional informal learning places (IILP). However, there is no systematic overview of research on the use of digital media for informal learning in such places yet. In order to fill this gap, this paper reports on the findings of a systematic literature review in the field of informal learning with digital media in IILP. A total of 26 relevant studies, conducted between 2005 and 2020, were identified via database search in Scopus and FIS, as well as through cross-referencing. Subsequently, those 26 studies are analyzed in more detail by a qualitative content analysis, which is used to investigate three research questions: 1) What are the general characteristics of digital media investigated in IILP? 2) What are the functions of digital media investigated in IILP that are relevant for learning? 3) What outcomes were measured, related to informal learning with digital media in IILP? The results show that portable and stationary digital media tools are investigated about equally often and that often, they already offer augmented reality (AR). It also shows that digital media have not yet fully exploited their potential functions, as they mainly offer the retrieval of information, and have only exploited collaboration functions only to a rather small extent. However, they can promote and support motivational and cognitive learning processes, especially with regard to knowledge acquisition and interest, as well as collaboration and social interaction.