Museum Talk Overheard

So, in order to get closer to children and gain insight into their learning process at the museum--I carried a digital recorder around, sidling up to different groups of people and recording their conversations. Most people didn't know I was around.

One has to listen very cafefully to these samples. Below is a playlist and synopsis of what each clip is dealing with. I've also added transcripts of the conversations where it is difficult to hear. Sometimes the best part doesn't come until the end, so listen to the whole thing.

Real Cheetah Fur--two little girls ask their mom "Is that real cheetah fur?" in the African Peoples Hall.


Transcript:
Girl 1: Is that real cheetah fur?
Girl 2: I think so.
Girl 1: Let me see it.
Girl 2: Now wonder why they’re almost extinct.
Mother: (Reads sign)
Yes, Lindsay.
Girl 1: It’s real?
Girl 2: It’s Leopard?
Girl 1: Leopard?
Girl 2: It looks like cheetah!


He's Naked!--little boy and dad look at the model of an ancient Egyptian irrigation system in the African Peoples Hall


Mermaids and Dragons--the current show at the AMNH is about mythical creatures. also the IMAX film. listen and ponder...


Great Wall--sometimes it doesn't matter what is written on the placard. two kids in front of a model of Peking in the Asian Peoples Hall


Uncle Charles--the child says, "Take a picture of Uncle Charles," while pointing to Akeley's favorite gorilla from the diorama


Giant Whale--we learn children aren't the only one looking for it


In'juns--how the John Wayne generation explains native America; Hall of Native American Peoples


Mother (to her son): These are all Indian chiefs here, ‘cause they got headdresses on.
They’re trying to make a fire and they’re gonna try and decide, if they’re gonna attack the white man! ARRRR!
(laughs)
No, I think they’re tradi’n their goods.
So that’s nice…
Look at all the food in the bowls and stuff.
Look they got pretty dresses on, let’s go look at their costumes over here.


Motherly Mead--taped this at the entrance to the Pacific Peoples Hall, from a video about Mead


Let's Read It--the classic scenario: kids ask questions, parents consult the placard



Listening to what people say while interacting with the museum shines a lot of light on how the technology (now so embedded into the narrative of childhood) funtions, even if it looks like a Wes Anderson movie in there.