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O yeah!

Well nobody is more 'different' than me Wayne....

Let me tell you a little story about the use of real instruments. You 
may remember that I was pretty involved with accessibility issues back 
in science center during the mid 90's, leading a number of ASTC session 
on the topic over several years including a double session, held at the 
Carnegie Science Center, which Wayne was a once part of.

As I worked on learning more about the issues facing individuals with 
differing abilities I visited the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind 
(ASDB), which is here in Tucson. I talked with both kids and teachers 
and went to a few classes, including a few science labs. There I was 
surprised to see kids that were blind 'using' microscopes. I asked the 
teacher about this and he said the kids wanted to be familiar with the 
instrument even if they couldn't use it. He also mentioned as an aside 
that the kids with visual impairment often did very well in labs. He 
explained that rather than just relying on what one person saw in their 
scope they had to asks questions of many students. By this method they 
'visualized' more details than students who could see.

So any way, yes Wayne, there is something to be said for the 'real' 
instruments even if they are difficult to use. I mean, there are rocket 
ships on display at some science centers. When was the last time you 
flew in a rocket?

Joe R

WAYNE LABAR wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> 
> 
> 
>>>>WAYNE LABAR 03/28/07 8:58 AM >>>
> 
> Ok 
>  
> Just to be even more different than Joe.
>  
> My issue with Wentz scopes is that at times I want the visitor to use a
> real microscope. Getting close and hands on to real scientific
> instrumentation has some serious benefits and implied messages versus
> having science seen through "exhibit objects".  
>  
> So at times go with Wentzscopes, at other times working with a real one
> may make a lot of sense.
>  
> Wayne
> 
> 
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-- 
ÐÏࡱá

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