Research on Visitor Conversations as Indicators of Learning In Science Exhibitions

This research project, a component of a larger national exhibit design and fabrication project led by Montshire Museum, provided for research into how science exhibit design can enhance or inhibit visitor conversations and learning. Various iterations of exhibits were constructed and visitors were video-taped for analysis. Working in close collaboration, project researchers and museum exhibit designers reviewed and discussed the video data and determined strategies for exhibit modifications for re-testing. Detailed coding of the recorded visitor conversations led to deeper analysis of how visitor learning responded to the exhibit environment. Papers resulting from this work are indicated below. Kevin Dunbar Leslie Atkins David Goudy Joan Waltermire Bob Raiselis Project principals: Scientific P.I.: Kevin Dunbar Professor of Psychology and Brain Science, Dartmouth College Current: Professor of Psychology, University of Toronto at Scarbrough kevin.dunbar@utsc.utoronto.ca Leslie Atkins Post-doctoral student, Dartmouth College Current: Assistant Professor of Physics, California State University at Chico latkins@csuchico.edu Museum P.I.: David Goudy Director, Montshire Museum of Science david.goudy@montshire.org Exhibition Design: Joan Waltermire Curator of Exhibits, Montshire Museum of Science Joan.Waltermire@montshire.org Exhibition Design: Bob Raiselis Exhibit Developer, Montshire Museum of Science Bob.Raiselis@montshire.org Project dates: 10/1/04 - 9/30/06 Program funding: Source: National Science Foundation Grant Recipient: Montshire Museum Research budget: Sub-award to Dartmouth College of $179,000 over two-year period Related materials: In process or under review: Atkins, L.J., Bishop, N., Chin, E., Wearn, C. and Dunbar, K.D. Multiple perspectives on visitor conversations in the science museum: Structure, participation, and engagement. Dunbar, K. and Atkins, L.J. Thin slicing science: Understanding and affecting visitor conversations in the science museum. Atkins, L.J. and Dunbar, K. Science conversations as templates for science understanding: Discourse genres in the science museum. Atkins, L.J., Velez, L., Goudy, W.D. and Dunbar, K.N. The unintended effects of labels in the science museum: How design influences the visitor experience. Atkins, L.J., Dunbar, K., and Goudy, W.D. Integrating Research and Practice in the Museum: Design Based Research. Published: Atkins, L.J., Epistemic games, epistemic frames: Understanding visitor behavior in a science museum. International Conference on the Learning Sciences, June 2006      PDF download [537kB]   For project information, contact: David Goudy, david.goudy@montshire.org