Lost in Translation: The Challenges of Communicating Democratic Ideals in an Educational Exhibit

• In Event: 65.080 - Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: 65.080-17 - Democratic Citizenship in Education SIG Roundtable Session #1

Abstract

This study examines teachers’ experiences visiting an educational exhibit presented by non-profit Facing History and Ourselves. Presented as an exhibit about “what it means to be a citizen in a democratic society,” teachers found multiple sites of value within the exhibit Choosing to Participate, but resisted the notion that it was meant to educate visitors about democracy or citizenship. Their descriptions revealed key obstacles to fostering deep engagement with democratic citizenship education in an informal learning space.

Author

• Andrea Thomalla Cavedo, CICS: Northtown Academy