Informal Learning in Computer Science Museums and Exhibitions: What Visitors’ Long-Term Memories Can Tell Us About Exhibits as Possible Learning Opportunities

Abstract

Museums and exhibitions are recognised as places of informal learning. Visitors with different interests and prior knowledge have access to a variety of learning opportunities provided by exhibits. Empirical findings on possible learning outcomes in comparable environments, such as science centres, exhibitions with themes of natural science, art galleries, or historical sites, are well examined. However, little is known about learning outcomes of visitors to computer science museums and exhibitions (CSME). In order to gain initial insights which aspects, especially computer science related aspects, visitors to CSME remember, we surveyed adult visitors’ long-term memories linked to exhibits in three German CSME. We used an online questionnaire distributed to users of the museums’ communication channels. The written responses refer to visits dating back a few months to several years ago. We used a deductive-inductive coding approach to identify text passages relating to possible learning outcomes and reasons for the vividness of the memories. The results show that participants are able to recall an overview gained of a collection of exhibits as well as concrete information conveyed by the exhibits. In some cases, the reports refer to sensory impressions, emotions, personal evaluations, or to auto-biographical aspects as well as accompanying visitors. As museums provide an environment with a broad variety of mediation approaches and displayed content, the discussion focuses on how long-term memories may offer a new perspective on visits to CSME and computer science related learning opportunities.