By the same token, I rather like Art's approach, starting from present and moving backward. Starting from the present puts it into the realm of the current, the things presumably the guest can most understand. Moving backward in time makes the translation less harsh, I think. If you start "at the beginning" of time, it may be a gee, that's nice, but doesn't make as much sense educationally as the other direction, which provides you foundation.

I understand the left-to-right bias thing, and I understand the reticence, but I think Art's makes better sense from an educational perspective. Just my two cents.

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From: Anne Lane <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, April 22, 2010 10:29:30 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Visitors reading timelines?

Yes, to anyone who learned to read that way, the left-to-right bias is extremely strong, and changing it will make people uncomfortable and confused.

Anne

ANNE T LANE, COLLECTIONS MANAGER

THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY

WHERE HISTORY HAS A HOME

3500 Shamrock Drive

Charlotte NC 28215

tel 704-568-1774, ext 110

fax 704-566-1817

[log in to unmask]

The Charlotte Museum of History

Where History Has a Home

3500 Shamrock Drive

Charlotte , NC 28215-3214

www.charlottemuseum.org

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From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann Craig
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 1:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Visitors reading timelines?

We are constructing an exhibit on the co-evolution of horses and grasslands and are having some disagreement about which direction our timelines and evolutionary "bushes" should move.

Should a single panel or case have time move from the left to the right - from millions of years ago to the present - regardless of the direction which visitors approach the panel or case?

If visitors approach the panel or case from the right, should time start from the right and move to the left?

I think visitors will always look at the case as a whole and then start observing from the left to the right, just how they read.

What do you think?

Ann Craig

Assistant Director, Education

Museum of Natural and Cultural History

University of Oregon

Mailing: 1224 University of Oregon

Street Address: 1680 East 15th Street

Eugene, OR 97403

(541) 346-3116

http://natural-history.uoregon.edu

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