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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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	Has anyone developed (or thought about) novel ways of 
training docents, volunteers, or Explainers in complex or even 
controversial science that may be adaptable to long range training 
methods via the web, for example?
	We are developing a program on evolution and I am exploring 
ways of providing training for floor staff about the program, science 
and how to effectively engage the audience (who will be young). One 
shot training is one way but how does that help facilitate training 
in the long term? Has anyone tried to model good practices with 
visitors, perhaps using actors as visitors, to illustrate how to 
effectively engage a range of visitors? This maybe generalizable to 
other complex topics like nanotechnology, for example.

	Anyone interested in discussing this? For example what 
ideally would be the form of training you'd like if you recieved an 
exhibition that was beyond your staff's expertise? Would a series of 
videos or would web based information and instruction (yes, given 
that it is engaging and not a talking head), or interactive live 
video instruction be your preference? Could you ask or pass this on 
to the staff who do the training in your institution?

Martin
-- 
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356

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