Applying the Contextual Model of Learning: Expectations & Goals of Guests at MOXI / Sophia Rowen

Expectations and Goals of Guests at MOXI 

1. How does the contextual model of learning apply to evaluation in informal learning environments?
The contextual model of learning states that the museum visit takes place in three contexts: the personal, social, and physical. This model can be applied to evaluating informal learning environments by making sure the visitor is asked questions concerning these three contexts before, during, and after their time at MOXI.

2. What aspects of the contextual model of learning (or the large Museum Visitor Experience model) are the most interesting and why? 

Understanding the expectations of visitors (Welcome Talk) addressing guests desires before and during their visit helps enhance learning --> creating some kind of advance organizer for guests (I know we have the scavenger hunt for birthday parties and other groups but having something for all guests would be helpful for them to retain more information) 

Acknowledging the goals of our guests in MOXI will be helpful in determining our own goals for visitors, this will make sure our goals align with our guest's goals and ensure that their expectations are met and fulfilled. 

Yesterday a guest and her mother came up to me and asked where the virtual reality was. I said that we don't have the virtual reality exhibit anymore as we rotate exhibits in the Interactive Media theater and the bridge. The mother said that they had read and seen it on MOXI's website and so when they left I checked out our website to see if they had just misread something. I haven't checked out MOXI's website in a while, since before I was hired honestly, but this interaction with this mother and her daughter got me thinking about our website. For guests who are coming to MOXI they see it as a source of knowledge and what to expect when coming here.  This got me thinking about how many of our guests, especially ones who are planning on visiting MOXI for the first time, and those who haven't, look at our website for a source of information. Our website is very straightforward and easy to navigate, however it doesn't show how guests interact with our exhibits. A video of the exhibits emphasizing the fact that they are all hands-on would be beneficial for those who are looking at our website. I was a bit saddened by this interaction I had because it seemed like these guests had come to MOXI for the virtual reality and were about to leave disappointed, with their expectations not met. I think that the current MAPS could participate in and make a short video of MOXI through the eyes of Sparks and put this video on our website for people to watch before, during, or after they come to MOXI. 

Physical and social settings influence the behavior of guests. As a Spark, I know that modeling the kind of engagement we would like to see guests having at a certain exhibit is motivating for a guest to go up to that exhibit and try it out for themselves. Guests (especially first timers) model the behaviors of Sparks (and of members), which is important to keep in mind. I often find myself tidying up too much on the floor and realize that guests are watching me do this. I am an advocate for messes that motivate powerfully playing but I also understand that the surrounding environment needs to look inviting to some extent.