Earlham College (Conner Prairie)

Conner Prairie proposes to apply recent study findings about how best to provide historical content that stimulates the engagement of family visitors. Conner Prairie staff will research new methods of interpretation for families and implement these techniques at the 1836 Prairietown historic area. Then, staff will develop and disseminate an educational CD ROM that trains interpreters about the use of verbal prompts, non-verbal behavior, and hands-on activities to enhance engagement for family visitors. The CD ROM will encompass three main components: video clips, text/narrative, and survey/evaluation. Applicable to any museum that relies upon people to deliver information, the project will provide methods for engagement, enhancement, and assessment of learning by the family visitor. Conner Prairie will partner with the American Association for State and Local History to promote and distribute the CD ROM, will prepare training sessions to present at regional and national museum meetings, and will offer an abridged version of the training on its web site.