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 paper discusses four interpetative strategies employed by staff at the Arkansas State Parks System which have led to effective interpretation. These strategies include: (1) maintianing a position to interpret; (2) providing linked programs and messages to provide continuing and reinforcing learning opportuities; (3) using the Visitor Center as a threshold to the park; and (3) providing three levels of interpretation.
This paper discusses ways exhibit labels can be used to encourage social interaction. It summarizes research related to effective labeling for family visitors at zoos as well as strategies to reach this audience more effectively with educational and/or interpretive messages.
This paper describes ways that computers currently are used (and misused) in museums as interpretive support devices and the potential role computers can play in museums to improve the quality of visitor attention, involvement, and learning. Where and when computers can productively serve interpretive functions are discussed. However, it is pointed out that computers are not always cost-effective. Printed text with imbedded questions, interactive labels, and other nonelectronic methods often serve these functions as well or better than computers. References for follow-up study are included.
This paper discusses exhibit labels and how to design them effectively. Author Stephen Bitgood organizes the literature on exhibit labeling into three general components: (a) know your audience; (b) capture their attention; and (c) hold their attention. Bitgood's "ABCs of label design" are guidelines to produce more effective labels.
This paper introduces a nonparametric statistical method for the analysis of time data in visitor research and evaluation studies. Measures of duration are often used to analyze visitor behavior and determine exhibit effectiveness in museum settings. Examples of duration measures include the length of a museum visit, the interval between a first visit and a repeat visit, or the period of time a visitor devotes to an activity, such as the span of attention to an exhibit, or the time spent reading a label.
This paper discusses a study aimed to answer some preliminary questions about the kinds of information remembered 20-30 years after a visit and the role that visitation frequency might play in influencing these recollections. In this study, twelve museum professionals were asked to recall their earliest, or a very early, museum experience and to relate it in as much detail as possible.
This is the summative evaluation of Statistics for Action (SfA). The mixed-methods evaluation included both process (project implementation) and impact (project effectiveness) assessments. It was posited a cascade-like impact of SfA, in which new materials would be developed by TERC staff; a host of environmental organizations would be trained to utilize them with grass roots community groups; and these groups would then incorporate SfA into their ongoing environmental campaigns. Ultimately, it was theorized, the public messaging around environmental issues would be strengthened by SfA’s
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Arbor Consulting PartnersMargaret ConnorsMindy FriedMadeleine Taylor
The article describes the purpose of the evaluation for Statistics for Action (SfA): to learn to what extent SfA's set of materials and resources and training developed by math educators with input from environmental organizers, could increase numeracy among environmental organizers and the community members they serve. For this generally unpopular content (math) in an unusual context (environmental campaigns), the author describes project and evaluation design choices that worked, and those that didn’t.
Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway), a unit of the National Park Service, and Brooklyn College are creating a citizen science field observation program called "Sentinels of Shoreline Change."The project will develop collaborative learning communities around monitoring the resilience of Jamaica Bay, an urban estuary. Participants will provide scientists and resource managers with measures of the bay's resilience to human activities and climate change. The project focuses on 7-12 grade pre-service and in-service teachers, and Brooklyn College undergraduate students, while fostering collaboration between faculty, rangers and staff from the partner institutions and the general public. Gateway is responsible for managing the vast array of cultural and natural resources in Jamaica Bay for the public benefit. They have a history of teacher professional development and collaborations with formal education partners that emphasize authentic science research within the park. Brooklyn College is an urban, public liberal arts college with a diverse student population. It has competitive NCATE certified science teacher education programs; a strong collaborative working relationship between the Earth and environmental sciences and science education departments; and a history of successful place-based science education projects. Science Education for New Engagements and Civic Responsibilities (SENCER) is the funding source for this project which is subcontracted under an NSF grant.
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Brooklyn College, CUNYJennifer AdamsBrett BrancoDan Meharg
In this article, the author offers explanations for what is characterized as startling disconnect between the scientific consensus around climate change and the lack of a social consensus. The author brings attention to this disconnect by offering some explanations for what may be contributing factors to a limited public discourse on science topics such as a lack of training and/or support for scientists communicating about their research. Twelve "Rules of Engagement" are proposed in order to to begin a conversation about how scholars can effectively and appropriately communicate about their
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University of MichiganAndrew Hoffman
This paper discusses one research method used in front-end evaluation studies: focus groups. It provides an assessment of the fit of focus groups and front-end evaluation as well as suggests issues and considerations for maximizing the fit between focus groups and front-end evaluation