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Charlie

Your question about flop to star is impossible to answer. However, if you do
a gedanken (thought) experiment, all of us who develop or direct exhibition
projects can identify exhibits and exhibitions that would have been a flop
if not for formative evaluation. And I also hope we can admit we learn
something from each project that informs our next project or should. If not
then something is wrong with the practice. Learning should not stop with the
exhibition just as a science experiment or investigation does not end but
should raise further questions for the next experiment. OK not an exact
analogy but I think you get my point about learning from what we do. I
always understood your objection was to summative evaluation and how it is
reported. Now I get the impression in some of your posts that ALL evaluation
is suspect and you cite a handful of exhibitions that you feel exemplify why
evaluation is worthless. A moving target Charlie makes discussion difficult.

I don't really think that it is the question of evaluation stifling
creativity but how evaluation can be used as a learning tool for
professional development AND advancing the practice of developing
exhibitions and programs.I think there are ways we can improve how we inform
each other about what we have done and what works or did not ANd why.This is
the process we should be discussing not who we each think is creative and
thinking outside the box (what box, by the way?).

Martin

On Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 2:30 AM, Charles Carlson <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Well said. ( I don't consider myself old-style anything, by the way.)  I
> very much concur with your insight that that there is a difference between
> evaluation and research (I'm not sure museums generally are the best
> test-bed, but will set this that aside for another time).  And evaluation
> can undoubtedly play a valuable role.  But please identify one single
> exhibit or exhibition that has greatly benefited from the tender hands of
> evaluation.  And by greatly, I mean been changed from flop  to star.  From
> my experience, these are even further and far between.  This is not to
> condemn evaluation, nor the hand of another brain, but simply to highlight
> the inescapable fact, that evaluation hath not a better exhibit made.
>
> C
> On Oct 27, 2011, at 11:06 PM, Carey Tisdal wrote:
>
> > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> >
> *****************************************************************************
> >
> > Charlie,
> >
> > What exhibit evaluation can do is free up that creativity by letting
> designers take a shot a those wild ideas you mention find ones that really
> hit the target. It can also find the sweet spots to make the exhibit
> experience even better. Of course evaluation can be about creativity! I
> always consider it the nuitients in the soil to support that creativity.
> (And if you are really creative you'll spot a great come back in that
> metaphor.)  It all depends how it is done and the colleagiality the built
> into the exhibit development process through honesty, good will, and
> respect.
> >
> > The old-style single combat warrior model for the "artist/designer" is
> not the only game in town. Sure the single great creative genius works
> sometimes, but so does creative collaboration. It's not either and or
> proposition.
> >
> > I love to work with exhibition development teams! It's exciting and
> fascinating and fun! Evaluation can play a role in making is exciting and
> fascinating and a great experience for visitors.
> >
> > I don't like the increase drift in the field toward confusing evaluation
> and research, increased formality in reporting, and writing for "the field"
> rather than the exhibit team. . Formative evaluation should be right there
> in the midst of the design process, in the nitty, gritty and give designers
> authentic insights, open up new perspectives, and shake up old assumptions
> to make room for new ones. Evaluation isn't about "voting" for the best
> design--it's about understanding how that design creates a connection to
> visitors.
> >
> > Carey
> >
> > Carey Tisdal
> > Tisdal Consulting
> > [log in to unmask]
> > 314-496-9097
> >
> > ***********************************************************************
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> The opinions and thoughts expressed here are my own and should in no way be
> construed or attributed to the Exploratorium or related organization, and do
> not represent an institutional position.
> Charles Carlson
> Senior Scientist
> exploratorium
> 3601 Lyon St.
> San Francisco, CA 94123
> [log in to unmask]
> Tel:   415-561-0319
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the
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-- 
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Martin Weiss, PhD
Senior Scientist
New York Hall of Science
mweiss at nyscience.org
cell   347-460-1858
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