Pichai Sonchaeng
Thai visitors’ expectations and experiences of explainer interaction within a science museum context
Sonchaeng, Pichai; Kamolpattana, Supara; Chen, Ganigar; Sonchaen, Pichai; Wilkinson, Clare; Willey, Neil; Bultitude, Karen
Authors
Supara Kamolpattana
Ganigar Chen
Pichai Sonchaen
Clare Wilkinson Clare.Wilkinson@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Science Communication
Neil Willey Neil.Willey@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Env Plant Physiology
Karen Bultitude
Abstract
© The Author(s) 2015. In Western literature, there is evidence that museum explainers offer significant potential for enhancing visitors’ learning through influencing their knowledge, content, action, behaviour and attitudes. However, little research has focused on the role of explainers in other cultural contexts. This study explored interactions between visitors and museum explainers within the setting of Thailand. Two questionnaires were distributed to 600 visitors and 41 museum explainers. The results demonstrated both potential similarities and differences with Western contexts. Explainers appeared to prefer didactic approaches, focussing on factual knowledge rather than encouraging deep learning. Two-way communication, however, appeared to be enhanced by the use of a ‘pseudo-sibling relationship’ by explainers. Traditional Thai social reserve was reduced through such approaches, with visitors taking on active learning roles. These findings have implications for training museum explainers in non-Western cultures, as well as museum communication practice more generally.
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Date | Jan 1, 2015 |
Deposit Date | Feb 23, 2015 |
Publicly Available Date | Jun 18, 2016 |
Journal | Public Understanding of Science |
Print ISSN | 0963-6625 |
Electronic ISSN | 1361-6609 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 24 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 69-85 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662514525560 |
Keywords | science and popular culture, science communication, science museum, Thai visitors |
Public URL | https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/840146 |
Publisher URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0963662514525560 |
Contract Date | Jun 18, 2016 |
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