Experiencias interactivas y conversacionales de familias visitantes en "Darwin, la exposición,explorando las especies", en el Museo Trompo Mágico, México / Interactive and conversational experiences of visiting families in "Darwin, the exhibition, exploring species," at the Museo Trompo Mágico, Mexico

Resumen Analizamos el contenido conversacional y las interacciones de diez familias, con el fin de comprender cómo es la experiencia de aprendizaje en una exposición científica. Como herramienta de análisis se utilizó un protocolo que combina aspectos teóricos y empíricos de la interactividad. Los resultados evidencian que las familias participaron activamente en la exhibición, observando y conversando sobre los animales, haciendo preguntas, buscando respuestas y elaborando explicaciones basadas en el pensamiento científico. Los adultos actuaron como facilitadores del aprendizaje y para ello se apoyaron en paneles informativos fomentando la conexión con experiencias previas. Los niños muestran curiosidad, emociones y comportamientos que evidencian sus experiencias de aprendizaje e interés por temas científicos.

Abstract We analyzed the conversational content and interactions of ten families, with the aim of understanding the learning experience of families in a scientific exhibition. As instrument of analysis, it was used a protocol combining theoretical and empirical aspects of interactivity. The results show that the families actively participated in the exhibition, observing and talking about the animals, asking questions, looking for answers and elaborating explanations based on scientific thinking. The adults acted as facilitators of learning and for this they were supported by information panels promoting the connection with previous experiences. Children show curiosity, emotions and behaviors that evidence their learning experiences and interest in scientific topics.

Facilitators improve the learning experience of visitors to a science centre / Facilitadores melhoram a experiência de aprendizagem dos visitantes de um centro de ciências

We studied how interactions with interpretative science centre staff impacts the learning behaviours and engagement levels of visitors who engage with exhibits at Science North (Sudbury, Canada). This study uses the Visitor-Based Learning Framework. The tool consists of seven discrete learning-associated behaviours that visitors show when engaging with exhibits, which are grouped into three categories of engagement: Initiation, Transition, and Breakthrough. These categories reflect increasing levels of engagement and depth of the learning experience. We studied forty-seven Science North exhibits, and 4,835 visitors to analyse the impact of unstructured facilitation in a naturalistic setting. We compared visitor Engagement Levels with and without a facilitator present. We determined that the presence of staff has a statistically significant impact on the percentage of visitors that engage in Breakthrough behaviours. When a facilitator is present, more visitors reach the Breakthrough Level of Engagement (p < 0.001). In the second phase of the study, we explored what facilitators do and say through thematic analysis to uncover common patterns of facilitator actions and comments. Our findings showed that facilitators employed strategies and methods that can be grouped in four categories or Facilitation Dimensions: Comfort, Information, Reflection, and Exhibit Use. These dimensions encompass different strategies and techniques of facilitation, that are used in a variety of situations and sequences. Our study goes beyond anecdotal evidence to show that staff-visitor interactions have a positive impact on visitor engagement with exhibits and therefore, potentially on visitor learning from exhibits. Our findings can be used to inform not only training programs but also managerial decisions and considerations around resource allocation. We suggest that facilitators are a fundamental asset for institutions that prioritize visitor engagement, one that should be given top priority when considering areas for investing.

Lessons without limit: how free-choice learning is transforming science and technology education / Lições sem limite: como o aprendizado por livre escolha vem transformando a educação em ciência e tecnologia

Societies are becoming nations of lifelong learners supported by a vast infrastructure of learning organizations. The centers of this learning revolution are not schools, but a network of organizations and media (museums, libraries, television, books, and increasingly the Internet) supporting the public's ever-growing demand for free-choice learning - learning guided by a person's needs and interests. Science learning is an important part of this revolution. Traditional boundaries and roles distinguishing groups of science educators and institutions are disappearing. To not understand and embrace these changes will impede our ability to enhance science learning worldwide.

As sociedades estão se tornando nações de aprendizes vitalícios respaldados por vasta infra-estrutura organizacional. Os centros desta revolução no aprendizado não são as escolas, e sim uma rede de organizações e mídias (museus, bibliotecas, televisão, livros e cada vez mais a Internet) que sustentam a busca crescente do aprendizado por livre escolha conduzido pelas necessidades e interesses de cada pessoa. O aprendizado da ciência é parte importante desta revolução. Estão desaparecendo as fronteiras e papéis tradicionais que distinguiam os grupos de educadores e instituições de ciência. Não compreender e não abraçar estas mudanças inviabilizam nossa capacidade de promover o ensino da ciência em âmbito mundial.