ERIC Number: EJ1061655
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Oct
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-8650
EISSN: N/A
Scaffolding Visitors' Learning through Labels
Wang, Joyce; Yoon, Susan
Journal of Museum Education, v38 n3 p320-332 Oct 2013
In museum literature, labels have been found to increase visitor learning and contribute to greater cognitive gains. In this study, we seek to understand how various labels support the visitors' learning experience, and specifically in regards to conceptual and cognitive learning. We investigated the increasing use of three types of labels (visual digital augmentations, text-based questions, and text-based instructions) by four groups of middle school students. Our analyses indicated that when labels were used, students experienced significant increases in both conceptual and cognitive understanding. Furthermore, in the group that received all three types of labels, students displayed more problem-solving behaviors and made more associations with their prior knowledge. This suggests that supplementing an exhibit with several types of labels may lead to increased visitor engagement and learning
Descriptors: Museums, Visual Aids, Middle School Students, Learning Processes, Achievement Gains, Knowledge Level, Problem Solving, Prior Learning, Exhibits, Learner Engagement, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A