ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I'm suggesting any time we make sweeping generalizations, such as  
open-ended exhibits serve more people - and I'm not sure I even know  
what open-ended means - we tend to gloss over nuance that can make  
the difference between success and failure.  That we should no place  
our faith in absolute pedagogy.  For instance, take your statement  
"Plant questions, not answers."   Although I don't think this is what  
you are suggesting, I've seen plenty of exhibits that pose questions  
and are abysmal experiences.  "What colors do you see," or "Why does  
the image appear upside down" both imply there is a right answer to  
be arrived at and that if you don't get the answer you have missed  
something.   These kind of teasers do nothing to encourage me to  
play, to explore, to observe, or even to relax.

Perhaps my position, which I tried to imply at several points, was as  
a devil's advocate, wasn't clear enough.  I am neither challenging  
the value of more open-ended or the notion that informal centers  
provide, or or should be better than most at providing, experiential  
activities.  But I, for one, believe it is the lack of codification  
that give informal learning centers their vibrancy.


	




***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]