Adult Learners

Working with Adult Audiences on Tours at the Blanton

Adult and Student LearnersADULTS STUDENTS

Problem-centered Subject-oriented

Results-oriented Future-oriented

Self-directed Dependent on adults

Can be skeptical Accepting of new info

Seek experiences that apply to life

Seek experiences that prepare for future

Feel responsible for own learning

Let others design their learning

Adult Learner Characteristics

• Years of experience & knowledge

• Established views, beliefs, etc.

• Expect to be treated as adults

• Need to feel self-directed

More characteristics

• Like to problem solve

• Enjoy straightforward, how-to approaches

• Increased variation in learning styles

Use Characteristics to Enhance Tour

Adults have years of experience & knowledge.

Use guests on the tour as a resource, let people add to tour

Adults expect to be treated as adults.

Take questions and comments with respect, acknowledge contributions

Adults need to feel self-directed.

Allow visitors to set the pace, ask what they hope to see.

Adults have multiple learning styles.

Bring in a variety of teaching materials (clippings, canvas, etc.)

Tips on Tours• Introduce yourself, explain that you are a volunteer,

glad that they are here. • Think about the orientation. Let people know what to

expect. What is in the Blanton?• Find out what brought people to museum; what do they

hope to gain? Refer to visitors throughout the tour- try to remember names, hometowns, special interests, etc.

• Ask for questions throughout.• Start the tour with an object that is thought-provoking.• Use transitions from place to place. Create a bridge. • Allow people to wander in and out.• Be prepared and knowledgeable about the subject.• Remember that it is OK not to know all of the answers.

Parts of a Tour

• Introduction• Find a theme• Well-designed body

of the tour with a balance of facts and discussion opportunities

• Conclusion

Thematic Adult Tours

• Symbol and Allegory: the Hidden Language of Art• Portrait of a Lady: Depictions of Women through

Time• The Changing American Landscape• What is America?• New to these Shores: Immigrant Voices at the

Blanton• A Day in the Life of Nero: Life in the Ancient World• Persuasion: Messages and Meanings in Art

A Day in the Life of Nero

• Within this theme, I need to organize my thoughts. What are some ways I can pare down ANCIENT WORLD?

– People: leaders, gods/goddesses, athletes– Artistic techniques, media of Greece and Rome– Art historical survey approach (earliest to latest)– Athena and Athens– Ancient celebrations (symposia, dining,

Dionysus, theatre)

• Be prepared to show Nero coin

Athena and Athens

• What do I want to cover?– Athena and her birth, life, importance– Her association with Athens– How did Athenians honor her?– How and why is this important today?– A broad selection of artwork to illustrate my

topic

Introduction

• Introduce self, get to know guests• Brief intro about Blanton collections• Today’s focus is ancient art but let me know if

you would like for me to include another part of the collection at the end

• Take to ancient art, give them a moment to soak in, bring them to Mourning Athena

Opening Questions

• Take a few moments to look at this 19th c reproduction of a well-known relief sculpture.

• What is this figure doing?• (I want to get people looking

before I start talking. Hopefully, they will point out that she looks sad because of the tilt of her head. Perhaps they will discuss her clothing.)

• I will discuss who this is, what she is doing.

What do I know?

• This is a grave relief originally on the Acropolis

• Dressed in a peplos, Corinthian helmet (spoils of war), spear

• Contemplating a list of Athenian war dead

Connecting Ancient to Now

Stop to Stop

• Remember not to lecture

• Don’t forget transitions from place to place. (We’ve seen one depiction of Athena; let’s look at another.) Plus builds interest.

• Compare and contrast

Black-figure Amphora

Coin with Owl

The Acropolis

Athena Nike

East Pediment

• Told story of birth of Athena- daughter of Zeus and Metis.

• Arrived fully grown and dressed as a warrior

• Sprung from the head of Zeus after his head was opened with Hephaestus’s ax

Dionysus Reclining

Three Goddesses

West Pediment

• Little more than torsos remain

• Told story of contest between Athena and Poseidon

• Jacques Carrey made first drawings of what may have looked like (1674)

Questions to help Stimulate Discussion

• What do you KNOW about this object? (Facts, observed characteristics)

• What do you THINK YOU KNOW? (Hypotheses based on observations)

• What do you WANT TO KNOW? (Curiosities)

Reworded…

• From this first glimpse, what can you tell me about this vase?

• From those observations, what can we conclude about it?

• Is there something about this vase you wish you knew?

Sharpen your Skills

• Choose one of the themes

• Prepare one work of art that fits into the theme

• Use the wall label, eLounge, personal knowledge to construct a stop