Homework Already!
Our CQIN team arrived in Chicago today via Amtrak. After a quick lunch at Wolfgang Puck's, we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art for some "homework." Our assignment was to make observations in a Learning Environment. Wolfgang Tillmans was one of the major exhibits (see podcasts).We were encouraged to start a "Bug List." In The Art of Innovation, author Tom Kelly suggests that teams can track problems they encounter when experiencing some thing for the first time. One thing I would suggest to MCA leaders is to staff the front desk with more than one person or move phone duties elsewhere. One person was trying to manage a long line of people, while passing out brochures, directions, buttons and answering the phone. Another suggestion would be to re-evaluate their parking policies (as evidenced by the RV above). Homework below:
1. What aspects of the museum environment seem to help facilitate learning?
Open, fluid spaces and multimedia exhibits seemed to keep learners engaged. People seemed to walk through and participate in the exhibits, rather than passively look at them.
2. What aspects of the environment seem to interfere with or distract from the learning experience?
Some pictures involved nudity. Some learners seemed distracted or unwilling to look at these exhibits if other learners were nearby.
3. What are the cognitive, emotional, physical and ecological needs of people while in this environment?
This is difficult to determine without drawing conclusions or interpreting observed behaviors. Some people seemed to want to connect with others and discuss what their experiences. Others, seemed to desire isolation as they observed.
4. What physical conditions did you observe that had an effect on people in this environment?
There was music with a distinct beat in one area of the museum. The security guard in this area was dancing. In a quiet area, the security was sleeping. The music (or lack thereof) seemed to influence the attitude of observers and caused them to linger longer than they did in quiet spaces.
5. What systems were in place that had an effect on people in this environment?
There was a lot of security personnel and devices (e.g. cabling on books).
6. The mission of the MCA describes them as "innovative." What do you see that you would consider innovative?
One exhibit had Mac G5 computers and large cinema displays that permitted learners to interact with the art.
7. Pick one or two things in place at MCA that could be adapted at GRCC.
Padded seating in hallways. Open spaces vs. "contained" learning.
8. What suggestions would you make to MCA leaders to improve the experience?
See reception and parking suggestions above!
