Delphi Study to Identify Key Facilitator Practices and Strategies Across Informal Science Education Spaces

• In Event: Science Teaching and Learning: Informal and Out-of-School Science Education

Abstract

Effectively facilitating visitor learning experiences in museums is complex. Yet, little is understood about what such training should include and how it should be delivered, especially if the training is to be useful across multiple informal contexts. Many informal education institutions currently offer training, but these vary greatly and often consist of observations or shadowing of existing facilitators. Motivated by the goal of developing a model for facilitator training, we conducted a study to identify practices and associated strategies valued by experts in the informal science education field. These practices can inform future professional development and training programs. This paper discusses the first two rounds of the three-round delphi study and the objectives for round three.

Authors

• Alexandria Muller, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Danielle Boyd Harlow, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Ron Skinner, MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation