The "I ASK" education method was introduced at the museum

Irith Koster, an organizational psychologist, training coach, and lecturer, visited the Lost Shtetl Museum, where she, together with Judith Whitlau—an educator from the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter—presented the educational methodology “I ASK.”

The “I ASK” method is widely used in museums and is designed primarily for guides and educators seeking to create tours that are both clear and relevant for visitors. According to Dr. Jolanta Mickutė, Head of Education at the museum, a modern museum should serve not only as a space for delivering information but also as a place for dialogue—where visitors feel encouraged to ask questions.

To spark meaningful conversations, guides must go beyond presenting the exhibition; they must also build a connection with visitors, understand what interests them, and tailor the experience accordingly. “We often imagine the museum as a radio constantly broadcasting facts. But in our museum, guides first strive to understand what expectations and prior knowledge visitors bring, what piques their interest, and what they’re eager to discover. It’s an open, dialogue-based conversation that’s especially vital when addressing complex topics like the Holocaust and historical memory,” says Dr. Mickutė.

The Lost Shtetl Museum expresses heartfelt thanks to Irith Koster and Judith Whitlau for sharing the “I ASK” method and providing practical training on how to apply it.