Susan, it was my habit as an art museum educator that when I was done with
my tour, I would pull the group together and ask each student (or at least a
few) which object they felt the most strongly about and why. I didn't
particularly care if they hated the thing, I just wanted to elicit their
personal responses.
My feeling was that when they got home and mom or dad or granddad or the
cashier at the grocery store said "what did you see" I wanted them to
remember something concrete.
I will say, I had very little luck in getting my docents to take up this
habit.
My sense of a tour structure is that it should begin with 3-5 minutes of
orientation and preview, should last not more than 45 minutes, and should
conclude with 5 minutes of review, remembering, evaluation and commentary.
The whole experience then fits into a 60-minute slot, the visitors (whatever
the age) aren't exhausted, and the pleasurable features of the experience
are more prominent in the memory.
But this is just my approach.
Ellen B. Cutler
LNB Associates: Writing, Editing, Research Services
Aberdeen, MD 21001
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Wageman <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 6:01 PM
Subject: School group departure procedure/experience
> In an effort to improve the school visit experience, we are considering
> developing some sort of departure experience that would (briefly) give
> students and teachers the opportunity to reflect on their visit before
> boarding the bus (or cars).
>
> Currently, school groups explore the galleries on their own. When it is
time
> to leave, the teachers and chaparones gather them and they leave (usually
in
> a rather chaotic fashion).
>
> I would be interested in hearing about departure procedures in other
museums
> where visits are self-guided. How is the group gathered? How is it
> facilitated? Do students and teachers appreciate the opportunity to pause
> and reflect briefly before leaving?
>
> Susan B.F. Wageman
> Evaluation Manager [log in to unmask]
> The Tech Museum of Innovation 408-795-6303
> 201 South Market Street fax: 408-279-7167
> San Jose, California USA 95113 http://www.thetech.org
>
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