On February 14-15, 2013, the Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF) hosted a workshop in Washington, DC: "Transforming the Relationship between Science and Society: Interpreting the Manhattan Project." The workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation, brought together historians, scientists, museum experts, and representatives of the National Park Service, Department of Energy and Manhattan Project museums from across the country. The goals of the workshop were to develop ideas for interpreting the controversial history and legacy of the Manhattan Project for a national traveling exhibit. By
The main goal of this chapter is to describe how research findings on a scaffolded, focused, reflection-oriented community of practice transformed museum educators’ identities as educators. A second goal is to describe the theory, the multiple methodologies drawing on that theory, and the layered analysis that accompanied this research. The authors' theoretical lens is sociocultural, placing great emphasis on community building, dialogic negotiation, and ongoing reflection and research on practice.
The authors argue that schools should be communities where students learn to learn. In this setting teachers should be models of intentional learning and self-motivated scholarship, both individual and collaborative (Brown, 1992; Brown & Campione, 1990; Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1991). If successful, graduates of such communities would be prepared as lifelong learners who have learned how to learn in many domains. The authors aim to produce a breed of "intelligent novices"(Brown, Bransford, Ferrara, & Campione, 1983), students who, although they may not possess the background knowledge needed in
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Gavriel SalomonAnn BrownDoris AshMartha RutherfordKathryn NakagawaAnn GordonJoseph Campione
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In this article, Ross J. Loomis of Colorado State University discusses the significance of the Visitor Studies Conference in Ottawa as well as the regular presentations on visitor research at the American Association of Museums national meetings. Loomis also outlines agenda items for the newly created Visitor Studies Association and future Visitor Studies Conferences.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Ross J. Loomis
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In this paper, evaluator Marilyn G. Hood, Ph.D. of Hood Associates discusses learning opportunities from projects, programs and plans that don't go as planned. Hood presents examples from her career and argues that it is essential to report failed or difficult experiences to the rest of the field to help colleagues avoid the same problems and to advance the field of visitor studies.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Marilyn G. Hood, Ph.D.
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This paper presents a transcript from a panel discussion at a VSA program gathered to explore issues of concern related to the life of the "in-house evaluator." Three panelists, experience in-house evaluators, discuss their personal solutions to these issues and contradictions raised by this unique position, in the hope of helping professionals new to the task.
This paper outlines findings from a 1990 survey conducted by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), specifically related to the prevalence and value of teacher training programs at accredited AAZPA institutions.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Nancy A. Hotchkiss
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this paper, Lois H. Silverman of Indiana University examines visitor studies teaching and training needs. Silverman summarizes discussions and recommendations formed during a forum on this topic at a recent VSA conference.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Lois H. Silverman
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this paper, Harris H. Shettel, evaluation consultant, examines the "Professional Standards for the Practice of Visitor Research and Evaluation in Museums" approved by the AAM Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation or CARE. Shettel specifically comments on Section II that deals with the competencies required by visitor studies professionals. Shettel argues that it is time to move away from generalities described in this document and move toward articulating practices proven useful over time.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Harris H. ShettelVisitor Studies Association
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Florence Bramley-Hill, independent consultant and creativity couch, presents brainstorming techniques that can be used as a tool for enhancing creativity and problem-solving.
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Florence Bramley-HillVisitor Studies Association
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In this message from the President of VSA, Ross J. Loomis introduces this issue of "Visitor Studies Today!" and discusses a few relevant topics including student involvement in visitor studies and VSA housekeeping items (conference, committee nominations).
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Ross Loomis
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Ellen Giusti, exhibition evaluator at AMNH and the AAM Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation (CARE) Chair, discusses proceedings from the 1999 Annual AAM National Program Committee Meeting in Cleveland as well as plans for next meeting and updates on AAM organizational issues.