Is That a Dragon: The Power of Optimal Certainty (Crafting Valuable Experiences, Part 5)

In this episode of the MME podcast, we dive into the concept of optimal certainty and challenge the common mindset that our goal is to teach visitors something completely new.  In between a story about a giant cardboard dragon and an analogy about dressing a mannequin, you’ll discover the importance of creating a learning environment that balances a visitor’s prior knowledge and experiences with their own powerful curiosity. Key Takeaways include: Learning is a cumulative and individual process that occurs over time and across different contexts. Visitors are more likely to learn and engage deeply with topics they already have some prior knowledge about. Curiosity is a natural motivator that drives visitors to explore and seek answers to their questions. Striking the balance between familiar knowledge and opportunities for curiosity, otherwise known as “optimal certainty” is a powerful way to engage visitors. Real-life examples you can try out in your programs today. Resources Mentioned: Full show notes, including links and transcript can be found at modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/007. Visit the website, https://modernmuseumeducation.com/ to join Rachel’s email list and be the first to find out about her new, exciting project coming soon! Looking for your next professional development read? Links to Rachel’s recommendations, including Learning From Museums and The Value of Museums, can be found at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/bookshelf. Want to be a guest on the podcast? We are looking for museum educators of all kinds to share their experiences, expertise, and ideas. Click here to let us know you are interested! Did you know Rachel can run a personalized workshop for your staff, based around the latest research on creating valuable programming? Find out more at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/services.