Parent-Child Dyads' Navigation in a History Museum: The Where and Why

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: New Directions in Informal Learning Environments Research: Families, Communities, and Careers

Abstract

Most research on museum learning focus on science museums and general visitors’ behaviors. The present study (part of a larger one), focused on navigation. We examined ten parent-child dyads’ navigation in a history museum (e.g., the selected route, time dimension), while they learned the presented content. Data regarding the variables of navigation routes and time were collected via visitors’ head video cameras. Using qualitative approach, situations and conversations were analyzed, with focus on reasons for routes selection, factors influencing diversions from routes, time duration of walking the whole route, staying in a gallery, or spending beside an exhibit. Those suggested that understanding navigation in a museum has functional and design implications for museum.

Authors

• Billie Eilam, University of Haifa

• Merav yosfan, University of Haifa of Israel