I must admit that I don’t cherish the thought of giving tours to adolescents. First, because I don’t find it easy to face a group that, as a whole, towers over me by perhaps two feet or more. Second, because they are not shy in showing their dismay at having …
Teenagers! Just the thought of teaching this age group can makes some people cringe. Teens don’t pay attention and all they want to do is socialize with each other! Channeling their Hormonal Energy Their interest in each other can be channeled in an educational and positive manner. The docents at …
“Can we touch the snake?” “Is that a real mummy?” “How did you get the train into the museum?” “Can we crawl through the cave?” Youngsters visiting The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis are full of questions and high expectations. Building on that excitement and curiosity to design a successful museum …
It’s September. Teachers throughout North America stand in the midst of an assortment of strangers. During the ensuing nine months, good teachers will uncover the unique needs of each of these strangers in order to facilitate learning. They will rely on experience and training as well as fat file folders …
Priorities for Docent Training Representatives from the Bellevue Art Museum, in Bellevue. WA, asked the editors of The Docent Educator to address the following question, “What should be taught in a comprehensive docent training program in order to serve a wide range of audiences?” Our response, in order of priority, …
Unlike most people in “the teaching profession,” docents engage students of many ages and backgrounds. Think about it. Third grade teachers teach eight-and nine-year olds. Most of their students probably live in the neighborhoods near the school. These teachers can become experts on their students’ thought and behavior patterns. High …
As is well known, the root meaning of the word “docent” is “teacher.” For that reason much of the attention currently being focused on learning styles in other educational settings has great applicability to the museum environment as well. Because every visit to a museum of any kind should be …
Every audience is different. This simple axiom explains why teaching cannot be achieved by formula or script. To truly connect with the variety of individuals and groups they encounter, docents must be flexible and prepared with strategies that reach and respond to a full range of individual and collective differences. …