Props to B. Rogoff - this research provides evidence for her point about the mutually constituting effect of culture and learner. However, I'm not entirely sure the parents should shoulder the blame for the interaction.
Last quarter I was in the famed business school class "Interpersonal Influence" (euphemistically referred to as 'touchy feely') and we explored the predominant communication styles of men and women. In broad brush strokes, research has shown men are more vocal and willing to assert their position openly. Women are more group-oriented and prefer to communicate positions in a more subtle (sophisticated) manner. The researchers in that study linked these behaviors back to the early socialization practices of boys vs. girls. Young boys are shown that alpha behavior is valued. Young girls however are punished by the group for alpha behavior and are challenged to advance ideas through social interaction. Therefore, I believe that science exhibits (which are oriented primarily towards single users) subtly favor boys. They may be more willing to inquire given their natural communication style.
Therefore, as Learning Designers, it is important to cater to different communication styles and thus encourage inquiry in various ways. Perhaps an exhibit on electicity that requires multiple participants may lead young girls to inquire more and lead parents to provide as many explanations as they do to young boys. It would be a fascinating experiment!
Dan Gilbert Nice job connecting readings in this class and connecting with other classes. http://www.cdm.org/viewPage.asp?mlid=55
http://www.svcn.com/archives/saratoganews/04.19.00/power-girl-0016.html
Perhaps I spent too much time with Dan Schwartz, but I found this experiment to be weak. The research topic itself is interesting, but the follow-on research questions shed little light on what could be meaningful differences between independent and paired visitors. The measures seem flawed. Indeed, the authors refrain of "as was expected..." wears thin.
There are a couple of things to consider:
1) BETTER RESEARCH QUESTION - Perhaps if they had investigated the experience from a Transfer perspective (again, too much time in DS's class), there could be some interesting revelations. Contrasting cases (i.e. paired visitors sharing perspectives on the exhibit pieces) should lead to a more robust understanding of underlying principles and extended meaning.
2) DON'T FORGET THE OBVIOUS - Ultimately though, from a Learning Spaces perspective, what this study barely addresses is that the museum experience is typically designed as an individual, contemplative experience. In particular the quiet environment becomes socially reinforced and even if people do come in groups, the space imposes a certain individualistic interaction with the material.