“Pay attention: there’ll be a test later!” “Did you study for your biology exam?” “I can’t believe I failed the driver’s test … again!” Educators have tried to soften the blow by re-naming them — evaluations, assessments, portfolio reviews — but, a test by any other name is still a …
The Brookfield Zoo’s 270 docents contribute around 43,000 hours each year. Docents work every day of the year interpreting the collections, teaching classes to thousands of students, assisting with animal observations and special events, and attending refresher courses. We have no difficulty recruiting enough qualified enthusiastic candidates for the annual …
When the Museum of Natural History, in Albuquerque, put out a request for docents I thought, “Why not?” I sure didn’t know anything about natural history, but I could learn. So off I went to begin my training. As soon as they started the overview and people began asking questions …
Most staff members think of docents as teachers because they educate the visiting public about our collections and exhibitions. The very word “docent” is derived from a Greek word meaning “to teach.” But those of us privileged to provide docent training must also consider their needs as learners. Museum education …
The Docent Educator sent surveys concerning docent programming to a variety of institutions and individual docents throughout the United States. The results are presented to edify, as well as to stimulate discussion about docent programming, needs, and service. We invite our readers to send us their observations, comments, concerns, and …
As part of my recently Completed dissertation, I conducted an international survey of the role of voluntary gallery guides in art museums. The results are discussed in this article. Who Are We? Of the twenty-nine respondents to the international questionnaire, all indicated that the vast majority of their voluntary guides …
At some time in our lives We’ve all been customers, and have had a positive or negative customer service experience. In our culture, the customer is always right . . . right? In the museum culture, especially in a science center, the customer may not be right, especially in areas …
Staff and volunteers often wonder about attrition among docent staffs. Who might drop out? Who plans to come back in the fall? Will there be enough docents? What new program initiatives will require the museum to add more docents for the next year? Over the years, museum educators have developed …
A recent declaration by the American Association of Museums stating that “there is an educational purpose in every museum activity” {Excellence and Equity. 192. Washington. DC: American Association of Museums) could be considered true … at least conceptually. However, this view is not consistent with reality. In practice, the purpose …