This past Sunday I had an amazing experience at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, CA.  The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is a human rights laboratory and educational center dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. 

This museum was an Instructional Designers dream!  It was the most experiential and learner-centered museum I have ever been in!  One of my favorites exhibits was the Point Of View Diner.  A recreation of a 1950’s diner, red booths and all, that “serves” a menu of controversial topics on video jukeboxes. It uses the latest cutting edge technology to relay the overall message of personal responsibility. Following scenarios focusing on drunk driving and hate speech, this interactive exhibit allows visitors to input their opinions on what they have seen and question relevant characters. The results are then instantly tabulated. 

The MOT creates a safe environment for probing dialogue around difficult issues rarely discussed in the workplace and homes of participants. The Point of View Diner challenges participants to question their own assumptions, raise self-awareness, and present fresh perspectives to redefine personal responsibility and taking action. 

It is important for an Instructional Designer to create a safe environment for the learners.  This is so they can feel safe while sharing their views, expressing their opinions and ultimately not feel ashamed … after all this is a LEARNING environment.  I am also a big fan of self discovery which this museum, and in particular this exhibit does. 

I was SO INSPIRED by this visit that I am going to research how the ideas are generated for each of these exhibits.  I am interested to know who puts it together, what sort of piloting they do and what they do with the data they collect from each visitor.

The MOT is a MUST SEE if you are in Southern California.

To schedule a visit, call, 310-553-8403
for group tours, 310-772-7639.

“The meta question for all of us is: Which civilization are you a designer for? The one that’s dying, or the one that we are trying to create?” – Paul Hawken, Author.

This is my call for Instructional Designers to be a part of the corporate social responsibility movement.  Designers must use creativity, design cycle(s) and ultimately their passion for education and development to positively impact customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment.

Instructional Designer contributions can be small yet very impactful.  Suggest e-learning instead of printing 100-page manuals everytime you have a new hire orientation, record your webinar sessions so they can be “used again” and ask your learners to contribute back to the society by using their newly found skills in a volunteer opportunity.  This is also a way for you to ”market” your training and development departments within your organization!  

What are YOU doing to help? 

I look forward to your replies.