ERIC Number: EJ1129110
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-8650
EISSN: N/A
The Value of Educators "On the Floor": Comparing Three Modes of Presenting Science on a Sphere®
Hayward, Jeff; Hart, Jolene K.
Journal of Museum Education, v40 n2 p180-194 2015
Exhibit experiences at most museums are designed to be self-guided rather than facilitated; and it's certainly a good goal to make exhibit interpretation clear enough to be understood on one's own. The primary rationale for not staffing exhibits is the ongoing personnel cost, but that should be weighed against the value of "on the floor" staffing in terms of visitor experience. This study at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) investigated three modes of presenting a Science On a Sphere exhibit: staff-presented "shows" (18-20 minutes at scheduled times, scripted, audience on benches); staff "facilitating" with individual visitor groups; and visitors looking at the Sphere on their own, called "auto-run." The findings of this study underscore the appeal of staffing to visitors as well as the educational benefits; however, each mode had advantages and disadvantages.
Descriptors: Museums, Teaching Methods, Exhibits, Science Education, Educational Benefits, Audiences, Scripts, Staff Utilization, Program Evaluation, Positive Attitudes, Educational Experience, Space Sciences
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colorado (Denver)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A