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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
>
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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.
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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.

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