Some years ago, I was in an experimental galley in the old Arts & Industries
Bldg at the Smithsonian, where visitors were encouraged to react to an
exhibition by writing on 2" x 2" post-it notes and sticking these on a large
board. Staff found that people were referring in their own notes to others
previous posted on the board and the board turned into an impromptu "discussion
group". I have used the technique with good results to obtain visitor reactions
to the Canadian Museum of Civilization's "Canada (history) Hall". During a slow
month (October or November, I don't recall which), we had 650+ responses which,
collectively, told us to:

a. crank up the ambient light;
b. made the labels more readable; and
c. introduce orientation signage to help the visitor understand where they were
geographically and on a time line.

Very useful information. We made the changes and did a more formal survey which
showed that the visitors were very satisfied indeed by the changes.

Perhaps a similar approach could used for children able to read and respond to
simple questions - or simply to record their thoughts? or why not encourage
children to express their thoughts in the form of drawings?

Harry Needham
Canadian War Museum