The study of visitors understanding in Science Museums by means of Stimulated Recall Method

Autor
Douglas Falcão Silva

Orientação
John Gilbert

Grau de Titulação
Doutorado

Unidade / Setor
Institute of Education

/AC

Dependência Administrativa:
Municipal

Resumo
The present study addresses the issues of learning by families and by students during visits to science museums and, in addition, a complementary investigation of the process of decision making carried out by Explainers and Designers of exhibits. The framework adopted in the learning issues is based on a specific theoretical perspective on the nature of analogies proposed by Gentner (1983), a proposal of categories of exhibits based on interactive aspects and in addition an open agenda of learning outcomes. The investigation addressing Designers and Explainers represents an exploratory study. The data were collected in two contrasting science museums in Brazil. The individuals addressed were students, family groups, Explainers and Designers of exhibits. Both family groups’ and students’ interviews were carried out by means of an adaptation of the Stimulated Recall (SR) method based on still digital images taken throughout the visit. Explainer’s interviews were based on the useof traditional SR using parts of videos made during visits. The interviews of Designers were simple audio-recordings. The main conclusions are that the young people are more sensitive to characteristics of the exhibits than adults. Designers take decisions largely guided by a personal history of learning and tend to assume that exemplar exhibits are better promoters of learning outcomes than analogy based exhibits, which is challenged by this investigation. Explainers are promoters of clarity, understanding and knowledge by means of a range of individual strategies. The issue of motivation was revealed as being a sensitive aspect in their activities. The adaptation of the SR developed in the study is shown to be an effective and efficient methodology with which to elicit visitors’ understanding and views.