Competent museum guides: defining competencies for use in art and history museums

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the competencies required for museum guides who lead tours of school students in art and history museums. We compiled a preliminary list of competencies from the literature and interviews with 16 Dutch museum guides and three educators. Next, the Delphi technique was used to validate the list of competencies. A total of 26 experts, consisting of 12 educators, 9 guides, and 5 teacher trainers, rated the importance of the competencies and the clearness of the formulation on a 5-point Likert scale. In two rounds, consensus was established on 45 competencies. We organized the competencies into four areas: (1) handling the group within the museum environment, (2) communication skills, (3) knowledge and pedagogy, and (4) professionalism. The list of competencies gives museums insight into the competencies museum guides should have, can help guides reflect on their own practices, and stimulates them to further develop their own competencies.