TEACHING IN SITU: NONFORMAL MUSEUM EDUCATION

Museum education is one of the most ubiquitous forms of nonformal education and one of the least researched, particularly when it comes to understanding the role of the nonformal museum educator (docent). In response to this concern, this qualitative study explored how docents made meaning of their nonformal museum education practice. Through the use of observations, visitor feedback, and interviews with docents, a much more complex picture is revealed of nonformal education than what historically has been reported in the literature. Furthermore, the findings have significant implications for teaching in museum settings.