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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I'm suggesting any time we make sweeping generalizations, such as
open-ended exhibits serve more people - and I'm not sure I even know
what open-ended means - we tend to gloss over nuance that can make
the difference between success and failure. That we should no place
our faith in absolute pedagogy. For instance, take your statement
"Plant questions, not answers." Although I don't think this is what
you are suggesting, I've seen plenty of exhibits that pose questions
and are abysmal experiences. "What colors do you see," or "Why does
the image appear upside down" both imply there is a right answer to
be arrived at and that if you don't get the answer you have missed
something. These kind of teasers do nothing to encourage me to
play, to explore, to observe, or even to relax.
Perhaps my position, which I tried to imply at several points, was as
a devil's advocate, wasn't clear enough. I am neither challenging
the value of more open-ended or the notion that informal centers
provide, or or should be better than most at providing, experiential
activities. But I, for one, believe it is the lack of codification
that give informal learning centers their vibrancy.
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