Balancing Facilitation and Exploration: Student Interactions With a Medical Patient Simulator in a Science Museum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating Learning and Dialogue in Informal Education: Innovative Approaches to Exhibiting Complex and Novel Topics (Table 5)

Abstract

Science museums have long recognized the importance of physical interaction in informal learning. However, many hands-on experiences also require facilitation, creating a challenge to balance visitor-driven exploration with more structured, facilitator-led activities. In this study we analyze video of visitors’ interactions with a medical patient simulator during a field trip. By examining moments of facilitated and non-facilitated interaction, we highlight tensions inherent in the activity design. When the facilitator had to step away, participants engaged in collaborative exploration and learning with the patient simulator and role-played as medical professionals. Returning to the activity, the facilitator resorted to direct-instruction due to time constraints. Building on frameworks from human-computer interaction and visitor studies, we reflect on these pedagogical tensions.

Authors

• Lexie Zhao, Northwestern University

• John Chen, Northwestern University

• Yinmiao Li, Northwestern University

• Michael S. Horn, Northwestern University