From the exhibition to the audience: biodiversity in immersion exhibitions, dioramas and in public perception

• Grant number: 10/17432-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): June 16, 2011
• Effective date (End): July 15, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Education - Educational Teaching and Learning
• Principal Investigator: Martha Marandino
• Grantee: Martha Marandino
• Host Investigator: Colette Dufresne-Tassé
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Educação (FE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Université de Montréal, Canada

Abstract

This research project aims to study the conception of biodiversity presented in science museums exhibitions based on the intentional praxeology, expressed in the expositive discourse, and the learned praxeology presented in the perception of the public, during the visits. To develop the research one kinds of exhibition object was selected: the dioramas. Two museums were selected: one from Brazil - Zoology Museum, from University of São Paulo, in São Paulo; and one international institution, the Zoologisk Museum from University of Copenhagen, in Denmark. The museums were selected not only based on the characteristics of their exhibitions, but also, in the case of international institution, based on the relationship between the researcher and local researches. The theoretical framework is based, in one hand, on the Anthropological Theory of Didactics and the concept of praxeology, from Yves Chevallard, targeting the analysys of the expositive discourse. On the other hand, in order to study the perception of biodiversity of the audience, we will use the theoretical approach from Lev Vigotski, which is based on the cultural-historical view of the learning process. To develop this approach, we will use the thinking aloud technique utilized in museum education research. In summary, this research intends to amplify and deepen the theoretical and methodological references, to establish partnerships with international research groups and contribute to the improvement of museum education initiatives. (AU)