Personal Meaning Mapping (PMM) is a method of assessment proposed for museums, which is used to evaluate the process of how learning experience in museum takes effect on one’s understanding of the actual event. Unlike the traditional assessment methods, PMM focuses on the process and course of learning rather than “the right answer” from respondents, and can measure outcomes on scientific literacy in multi-dimensions. Therefore PMM is very suitable for the assessment in free-choice learning environment such as science museums. Nowadays, PMM is in its infancy and still has not attracted enough attendance especially in China. The paper will introduce the basic concept, application method and advantage of PMM, and analyze the application prospect of PMM on the basis of empirical research.

science museums  /  non-formal learning  /  assessment  /  Personal Meaning Mapping