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At 19:11 11/11/2005, Robert Mac West wrote:
>,,, by that I mean they  don't just have twice the signs - one in English,
>one in Spanish - they have  figured out ways to convey the info without
>bombarding people with  text?

Great question. There's got to be more to science communication than just 
broadcasting verbal information.

I believe that the best interactive exhibits are ones which enable the user 
to explore and experiment with real phenomena. In my experience, science 
centre visitors also think such exhibits are the best. Many 
'phenomenological' interactives still seem to function effectively if the 
label is removed. I have a strong impression that these also happen to be 
the more popular and more educationally effective ones...

Sadly, most of us in this business are compulsive explainers, so we tend to 
forget that providing access to real phenomena - then shutting up and 
stepping back - can be more inspiring and more memorable than pumping out 
endless information.


[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
*
Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
*
Ian Russell 

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