The Effects of Entertainment and Fun on the Visitor's Free-Choice Learning Experience

Abstract

Fun and entertainment are often part of the visitor's learning experience at attractions, but we know little about how fun and entertainment impact learning processes and outcomes. This article discusses how the learning process (cognitive load) and outcome (learning transfer) are affected by the perception of the learning experience as fun and entertaining. Historic site tour participants completed a self-administered questionnaire at the end of their visit. Results reveal that perceptions of the tour as fun and entertaining impact the learning process. The learning outcome is affected when the tour is perceived as fun. Directions for future research that examine the free-choice learning experience in various contexts are proposed.