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I would like to add that equating learning with the acquisition of knowledge is to commit the most egregious of pedagogical errors. Learning has a number of crucial dimensions that include skills and attitudes, not only knowledge. An exhibit could appear to be deficient in one dimension and yet be the bee's knees in another.
David Savory
Content Developer, Community Engagement
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe Ruggiero
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 9:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: "Failed" exhibits
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Hi Sari,
I don't have much to say specifically about the kind of research you're
after, but I would like to comment a little on the premise; that is that
exhibits 'teach.'
I really believe (my opinion and not the opinion of my company or its
affiliates) that exhibits can be tools for learning - investigation,
testing, trial and error - but are just passive instruments for
investigation. I have a great respect for true teachers, those that know
how to draw out students, to help them think for themselves. Teaching is
not a passive exercise, but a constant give and take between student and
teacher. Exhibits are no more than props, tools to use in learning. That
is something that happens inside of a person, which is very different
from teaching, which is something that happens externally.
To me, exhibits as tools for learning are no different than a hammer as
a tool for driving nails. Unfortunately exhibits are too often wielded
just as heavily as a 20oz hammer, as they try to pound information into
visitors. The results are usually not nearly as satisfying as those
from a skilled carpenter, who knows how to use his tool for just what it
was intended to do and no more.
Joe R
www.TheExhibitGuys.com
Sari Boren wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hi - I'm developing a conference session that's about using recent research
> in cognitive science to better understand how the brain wants to learn - and
> to apply that knowledge to how we design--physically design--exhibits.
>
> As part of the process of preparing this session, I'm looking to identify
> individual exhibits that had a clear learning objective, but which somehow
> failed. For example - an exhibit that's about how white light is comprised
> of a spectrum, but visitors didn't learn that from the exhibit - or came
> away with misconceptions instead.
>
> If anyone is willing to share these experiences with me, I'd very much
> appreciate it. I'm trying to hopefully identify exhibits that could be
> improved by the way the exhibit was physically designed (as opposed to how
> it was conceptually designed). We can discuss this offline via email or
> phone, if you'd like.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sari Boren
> Principal, Exhibit Developer
> Wondercabinet Interpretive Design, Inc.
>
> 781-652-8745
> sari- at - wondercabinet.com
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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.
>
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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
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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
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