Sense-making—A case study using the movieJurassic park

In this ecological age, communicating information on environmental issues is extremely important. Yet, problems exist in communication models where knowledge is seen as absolute and the individual envisioned as an empty receptacle. What happens when a person assimilates knowledge? How does this knowledge relate to a person's view of the world (reality)? This paper is a brief introduction to Sense-Making, an alternative methodology which allows an insight into a person's perception of reality. Interviews were conducted with science teachers following a viewing ofJurassic Park to investigate the relationship of the movie to their ontological view of science, society and self. The Sense-Making methodology may be very beneficial in helping educators and communicators to understand the assimilation of knowledge by people and consequently the development of future communication models on scientific and environmental issues.