This study investigated the effect of different scientific inquiry activities on visitors’ understanding of the science underlying an interactive exhibit. The exhibit, “colored shadows,” creates a pattern of colored shadows on a white wall, due to a person’s body blocking the light from colored lamps. The subjects were 392 museum visitors, aged 7 to adult. They were individually guided through a structured interview, during which they did one of seven inquiry activities, randomly assigned. The activities were: generate an explanation; interpret an explanation; troubleshoot an explanation
Science education reform documents call for science to be taught in the manner that students learn best, by conducting hands-on, engaging investigations using simple everyday materials. Often overlooked in the redesign of science education, informal science learning environments such as science centers, museums, and zoos provide students with captivating science experiences that can be related closely to curricular objectives. In this article I examine a cross-section of craft knowledge and research-based literature on sciencelearning beyond the classrom, describe informal science education
This paper describes the IMLS-sponsored Museum Learning Collaborative (MLC), a partnership which strives to develop and pursue a research agenda that can support the development of a cumulative body of knowledge on museum learning.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Leona SchaubleGaea LeinhardtLaura Martin
Although schools traditionally take their pupils to Natural History Museums, little has been elicited about either the overall content of the conversations generated by such groups or of the effect on content in the presence of an adult. Transcripts were coded using a systemic network which had been designed based on pilot studies. A range of variables was created from the coded data. The number of conversations that contained at least one reference to the designated categories were ascertained overall and those of the three sub-groups, pupils and teacher, pupils and chaperone and pupils alone
In this paper, Robert C. Webb of Suffolk University analyzes the role of cognitive and affective interaction in museums. Webb explains how a person alternates between high and low modes of cognition. Topics include central and peripheral routes of processing, levels of processing theory, and techniques for reaching low-involved visitors. Webb argues that more exploration and measurement is needed to study the affective nature of the museum experience.
In this paper, Harris Shettel, museum evaluation consultant, examines the rise of controversial museum exhibitions. Shettel argues that controversial subject matter should not be avoided, but rather presented in exciting, interesting and challenging ways that avoid controversy. Shettel points to the "Prisoners of War: Soviet Prisoners in Germany - German Prisoners in the Soviet Union" exhibition as an exemplar. The various ways exhibit evaluation studies can play an important role avoiding controversy are also identified.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Harris ShettelVisitor Studies Association
In this paper, researchers at the Brookfield Zoo present a case study in evaluating a technology project involving partnerships between museums and formal education. THe focus is on the multiple-method design, which was required in order to work with all participants, from funders to educators, to teachers and students. A set of tools, from traditional surveys through teacher-led performance assessments, was used to measure student learning, teacher satisfaction, and effective implementation of technology and museum content into quality Web pages. The authors share their experiences to help
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TEAM MEMBERS:
H. Elizabeth Stuart PerryCarol D. Saunders
In this paper, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Denver Museum of Natural History (DMNH), and Colorado State University, present findings from two studies that established a link between certain design features commonly found in museum environments and the state of psychological flow. Study one observed visitor behavior in a museum hall at DMNH before and after renovation. The study found that after the design changes, visitors attended more to the exhibits. Study two, a post-hoc survey analysis, investigated which design features in particular are responsible for
In this paper, John H. Falk, of Science Learning, inc., provides a brief overview of brain research and suggests implications for the museum field in terms of to define and measure learning.
This paper presents background information, methodology and findings from an exploratory study conducted in 1996 by researchers at Colorado State University, Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism. Researchers examined museum home page format and suggest criteria for future assessment of WWW home pages and their effectiveness. The appendix of this paper includes the Home Page Evaluation Criteria Template form used in the study.
This paper examines the differences between the single and married visitors to Old Sturbridge Village, within the single group itself, and between single and married museum members. In addition, "singletons" are defined and explored as single visitors to the Village to see how they differ from the great majority who visit with friends and families. A variety of measures, including t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square, CHAID, and factor analysis, elucidate significant points of contrast within the data.
In this paper, Hermann Schafer of Haus der Geschichte, the museum of contemporary history of Germany, discusses the value of non-visitor research as a public relations strategy. Schafer shares findings from an independent study of non-visitors.