3.9. Museum Observation Notes

Objective: write a short narrative analysis of a specific location or exhibit within the museum for the course blog.

During your visit, please be sure to wander and see every space to familiarize yourself with all the possibilities of the museum.

However, please choose something specific for this report; it is examining an exhibit in detail which will provide the depth of experience which will help you with formulating a project.

We are providing long lists of general prompt questions as a starting point, so first be sure to review the following:

Once you locate a particular situation of interest, please apply as many of the prompt questions as seem relevant and construct a theory of how the exhibit is working. At minimum, please answer the following:

  1. Document the specific location or exhibit.
    • Where and what are you observing?
    • How old are the visitors?
    • How many are in each group? How many adults, kids?
    • Do the visitors engage differently based on age? Based on family size?
  2. Analyze the engagement.
    • What sparks / catches children’s interest? What did not?
    • What holds children’s attention? What did not?
    • What engages children’s curiosity and creativity?
    • Which of the children’s objectives for autonomy, initiative and industry are related to the engagement you observed?
    • How do adult visitors treat the kids they’re with?
  3. Analyze the museum context.
    • Is there a facilitator present? When is the child expressing interest, intention or curiosity? How does the facilitator respond?
    • What is the aesthetic of the space? How does the piece relate to that aesthetic?
    • How does it relate to the other exhibits nearby?

3.10. Children’s School Observation Notes

Objective: write a short narrative analysis of a specific event you observe within the school for the course blog.

The director of the school, Dr. Sharon Carver, will orient us and provide us with specific prompt questions. We’ll divide our group evenly among the 3’s, 4’s, and kindergarten classes in the school. Please use the time in the school to generally observe the physical attributes of the classroom and activities, then observe closely to identify a particular interaction, event, or activity which reveals specific details of the children’s engagement and skills.

The Children’s School Classroom Observation Session guide applies in general. Please watch for evidence of autonomy, initiative, and industry, and use that breakdown as the basis of your analysis.