At the Hudson River Museum, the three worlds of art, history, and science are tied inexorably together. The museum houses two floors of art exhibits, a planetarium, and Glenview Mansion, an example of life among well-to-do New Yorkers in the late nineteenth century. Are docents able to put this all …
In 1992 the Desert Botanical Garden received a grant to develop educational elements along the trails to teach about desert plants and ecology. One of those elements was docent-staffed “investigation stations.” The stations, to be located at selected sites along the Garden trails, would have docents available to answer visitors’ …
The Early American Museum is a historical museum in East Central Illinois that focuses on life in the 19th century. Our education program is largely centered around central Illinois’ farm life in the 1800’s and currently serves about 5,000 children throughout the year, encompassing public, private, and home schools. The …
One of the definitions of demonstration is “clear proof,” as in “clear proof of ability.” For docents seeking to improve their teaching technique, clear proofs of ability abound. Some are intentional —demonstrations offered by institutions to help staff and volunteers provide better tours and educational programs for the public. Other …
We are all creatures of habit, and change does not come easily for many of us. Like their colleagues at so many institutions, docents at the Freer and Sackler Gallery are primarily responsible for giving tours of our art collections to the public. But, often, museums want volunteers to give …
Storytelling is a powerful tool. It is not just entertainment, but an instrument of great value. It is the oldest form of communication. It has no geographic boundaries. It is a way we understand and a natural way to motivate learning. Story can be the basis of good interpretation. While …
Imagine — a visitor stares blankly at a guide, alternately tuning in and out of attention. A group follows a guide around the site from stop to stop, never talking, only listening. These behaviors are not signs of an attentive audience having a positive experience. And yet, we have all …
Foods for Thought In addition to offering basic and advanced courses for adults in gardening, landscape design, floral design, botanical illustration, and plant studies, The New York Botanical Garden has a wide selection of food-related classes. The following have been among their offerings: Wild Foods of Spring examines forests, wetlands, …
If there is one characteristic that distinguishes those who excel at giving presentations or demonstrations it is proficiency in public speaking. Public speaking, like most skills applicable to teaching, is not a simple matter. It requires understanding how to engage audiences and how to hold their interest while stimulating reflective …