This paper presents research reports from visitor studies researchers in the UK, Australia, and Brazil. Authors discuss the progress of the audience research field in their respective countries.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Anne PenningtonCarol Scott
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This article is a summary of remarks at a special half-day session on April 28, 2000, part of a joint effort of the Informal Learning Strand of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching and the American Educational Research Association's Informal Learning Environments Research Special Interest Group. Topics included finding a unified voice and hinderances in the field of informal learning research.
This article discusses the goals, methods, and findings of a research study conducted by staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to evaluate their revised sea otter feeding program. The study evaluated the success of the volunteer training and peer coaching program as well as the effectiveness of the new program format in promoting the aquarium's mission.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Adrienne McGraw
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, VSA President Deborah Perry presents an overview of the work of the Visitor Studies Association over the previous few months. Topics include the Executive Committee, Conference Committee, resource development, Board development, professional development, and publications.
In this article, VSA President Mary Ellen Munley reflects on the "homecoming" she experienced at the past VSA annual conference in Columbus as well as the value of VSA activities.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Mary Ellen Munley
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This paper is based on comments made at "Exhibition Excellence: The 14th & 15th Annual Exhibition," a session at the American Association of Museum annual meeting in Portland, OR, May 20, 2003. This review focuses "attention to people" from quantitive data compiled by Whitney Watson of the Missouri Historical Society from the 2002 and 2001 submissions and the author's notes for 2000 and 1999.
This paper discusses how museums can encourage chaperones to facilitate deeper experiences for students during field trips. The authors describe how the California Science Center's ThinkSCIENCE! Pathways field trip program addresses this issue. Pathways asks chaperones to become facilitators by using "chaperone sheets," sets of materials containing gallery-specific questions, activities, and points of interest to help chaperones engage students in discussion. This article cites findings from a rigorous formative evaluation of these chaperone sheets and the program in general.
This article discusses a study that investigated teacher perceptions of group visits to a science museum in Taiwan. Thirty teachers who traveled with large groups were interviewed about two issues: the involvement of travel agents and the size of the group. The findings indicate that responsibility and administrative details were the primary reasons that teachers chose to travel with a larger sized group, or with assistance provided by a travel agency. Curriculum fit was not the first consideration in planning field trips. The study also found teachers' ability and attitudes to using museums
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Jui-Chen Yu
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Ross J. Loomis of Colorado State University discusses the significance of the Visitor Studies Conference in Ottawa as well as the regular presentations on visitor research at the American Association of Museums national meetings. Loomis also outlines agenda items for the newly created Visitor Studies Association and future Visitor Studies Conferences.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Ross J. Loomis
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this paper, evaluator Marilyn G. Hood, Ph.D. of Hood Associates discusses learning opportunities from projects, programs and plans that don't go as planned. Hood presents examples from her career and argues that it is essential to report failed or difficult experiences to the rest of the field to help colleagues avoid the same problems and to advance the field of visitor studies.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Marilyn G. Hood, Ph.D.
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This paper presents a transcript from a panel discussion at a VSA program gathered to explore issues of concern related to the life of the "in-house evaluator." Three panelists, experience in-house evaluators, discuss their personal solutions to these issues and contradictions raised by this unique position, in the hope of helping professionals new to the task.
This paper outlines findings from a 1990 survey conducted by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), specifically related to the prevalence and value of teacher training programs at accredited AAZPA institutions.