Students and the time of geology : Museum educator’s work from a theory of design perspective

This study aims to apply a design theoretical perspective on museum educators in a natural sciencemuseum to see which didactic choices they make. This study proceeds from the following questions: How is the scientific content of the exhibition orchestrated? Which semiotic resources do the museum educators uses? How do the museum tutors reason for their didactic choices? The study is based on seven observations of five different museum educators teaching seven different classes in the younger ages in one specific exhibition. It is also based on one interview with three of the museum educators. The design theory of learning, which is the theory that this study is analysed through, is mostly based on the studies by Staffan Selander and Gunther Kress (2010). The result of the investigation shows, in short, that the scientific content is orchestrated like a journey through time where different sceneries represent the geological ages of the earth. The museum educators uses a combination of multiple semiotic resources. The interview showed what the museum educators wanted to be the key words in their teaching: understanding, curiosity, desire, to arouse interest and willingness to take on the science glasses and ask yourself questions like 'How can you know that?' and 'How can you find out?'