Adults Engaging as Educators in Children's Museums

• In Event: 28.090 - MTCC Roundtable Session Nine
  In Roundtable Session: 28.090-11 - Peer, Adult, and Parent–Facilitated Learning in Informal and Museum Settings

Abstract

The roles adults take in a children’s museum shape a child’s experience and learning. This poster presents initial work on adult engagement in children’s museums, the roles they take, and how the learning environment impacts those roles. Results suggest parents are educators in pretend play exhibits more frequently than in science learning exhibits. Furthermore, adults suffer from museum fatigue and take on the role of educator less frequently throughout the visit.

Authors

• Jeremy A Dietmeier, The University of Iowa

• Benjamin M Devane, The University of Iowa