This paper discusses findings from a study that examined an interactive microcomputer exhibit at the Texas Memorial Museum. The study aimed to answer the following two questions: (1) Can the microcomputer be used effectively in a museum setting to teach first, second, and third graders about endangered species in Texas? and (2) Can the microcomputer be used effectively in a museum setting to create or enhance positive beliefs about endangered species in Texas?
This is a webinar presentation of the Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development, developed by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. The presentation outlines the background, organization and content, and implications of the Guidelines. The presentation may also be helpful for researchers and practitioners who are developing informal STEM learning project proposals.
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National Science FoundationU.S. Department of Education
This article develops an argument that the type of intervention research most useful for improving science teaching and learning and leading to scalable interventions includes both research to develop and gather evidence of the efficacy of innovations and a different kind of research, design-based implementation research (DBIR). DBIR in education focuses on what is required to bring interventions and knowledge about learning to all students, wherever they might engage in science learning. This research focuses on implementation, both in the development and initial testing of interventions and
This funding solicitation for FY2014 in the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program at the National Science Foundation seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and develop understandings of deeper learning by participants. The AISL program supports five kinds of projects: 1) Pathways, 2) Research in
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National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation
In this paper, researchers from Michigan State University explore the relationship between media and learning. The authors suggest that integrating research from both formal (educational technology) and informal (museum studies) learning environments may help museum professionals more clearly understand the issues involved and be better prepared to be either competent consumers or designers of media related research.
In this paper, the Franklin Institute's Ann Mintz discusses the managerial challenges associated with evaluation projects. Mintz explains how evaluators teeter on a continuum serving as both as artists and educators throughout the evaluation process. She cites evidence from an ongoing project at the Franklin Institute called the The Franklin Institute Computer Network that serves seven categories of museum visitors.
In this paper, researchers at Colorado State University discuss the advantages of using Virtual Reality (VR) to promote science learning in museum environments. The authors define the four leading features of VR and human factors guidelines and show, from evaluation of Mead Diorama Hall at the Denver Museum of Natural History, how renovated exhibits fit the effective learning criteria which were developed through VR research. This paper will also present results, derived from methods used to study the immersion experience in museums, to demonstrate that the renovated museum Hall elicits an
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Mark HarveyAndrej BirjulinRoss Loomis
In this paper, Pedro J.E. Casaleiro of the University of Leicester, Department of Museum Studies, discusses research that considers the investigation of evidence in mass media other than museums to help define a communications policy that bears the visitor in mind. In doing so, Casaleiro aims to broaden understanding about audiences' concerns with science, recognizing the presence of shared symbolic values created by both museums and traditional mass media. Casaleiro cites findings from studies of Portuguese newspapers and a natural history museum to support his claims.
In this paper, Kersti Krug of the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver explores how hypertext can contribute to postmodern issues of visitor research. Krug argues that hypertext has potential to present new ways of "seeing and influencing change by enhancing access to knowledge about visitors."
In this paper, Britt Raphling from the Adler Planetarium discusses how evaluation can be used to help focus interactive multimedia options so that exhibits meet both content objectives and visitor experience objectives. This paper outlines an "ideal" evaluation process tailored specifically to the challenges of developing interactive multimedia elements in museums. It requires exhibit developers, programmers, visitors and the evaluator to participate in a series of five steps designed to ensure the most effective possible outcome.
In this paper, Harris Shettel, museum evaluation consultant, examines the rise of controversial museum exhibitions. Shettel argues that controversial subject matter should not be avoided, but rather presented in exciting, interesting and challenging ways that avoid controversy. Shettel points to the "Prisoners of War: Soviet Prisoners in Germany - German Prisoners in the Soviet Union" exhibition as an exemplar. The various ways exhibit evaluation studies can play an important role avoiding controversy are also identified.
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Harris ShettelVisitor Studies Association
In this paper, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Denver Museum of Natural History (DMNH), and Colorado State University, present findings from two studies that established a link between certain design features commonly found in museum environments and the state of psychological flow. Study one observed visitor behavior in a museum hall at DMNH before and after renovation. The study found that after the design changes, visitors attended more to the exhibits. Study two, a post-hoc survey analysis, investigated which design features in particular are responsible for