A hypermedia simulation, Sickle Cell Counselor, has been developed to anchor instruction for museum visitors using the task of advising couples about the decision to have children when there is a substantial genetic risk of sickle cell disease. A visitor can perform simulated laboratory tests and ask questions via interactive video. The anchored instruction model is closely related to cognitive apprenticeship theory. Patterns of interaction between the user, simulating the role of a genetic counselor, and the program are illustrated through an annotated example. The genetic counseling role
This paper is part of a the presentation that Hermann Schafer, Director General of the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, and Hands-Joachim Klein, of University of Karlsruhe, gave at the Visitor Studies Conference in St. Louis. The researchers present the idea of making comparisons and appraisals of other exhibitions which have similarities to the exhibit which is being planned, as a systemic approach of evaluation which is supplemental to current procedures, known as "ACE"--Analogous Comparative Evaluation.
In this paper, evaluator Marilyn G. Hood of Hood Associates examines 70 years of audience research and what we know about frequent visitors versus occasional visitors. Hood recommends broadening evaluators' perspective of visitor research to include literature from the fields of sociology, leisure science, consumer behavior, and psychology.