A study for creating program formats of high quality for adult education in museums

Adults enter museums and participate in museum programs in record numbers today. With respect to adult education in a museum setting, there is a need to have different program formats from those for children to maximize adult learning experiences in museums. The purpose of this study was to survey museum educators to assess principles of adult program design, principles of adult program evaluation, and how museum educators understand and practice those principles. The findings demonstrate that many museums offer adult programs including lectures and guided tours. The most common principles of adult program design are related to "mission," "audience interests" and "cost." Although many museums evaluate adult program, they do not recognize articulated criteria, i.e. in many museums, program evaluation is unsystematic. It is recommended that museum educators work with adults closely to create relevant programming that reflects adults' needs and interests, and that they develop an organized evaluation system.