Define a Docent.

My Oxford dictionary defines docent as a teacher or lecturer in a college or university and also as a person who serves as a well-informed guide, as in a museum. The initial implication leads one to believe that the docent acts much as a lecturer, imparting knowledge to the audience. However considering the facts that the audience is standing and following the docent throughout the museum and examining several objects over a period of 50 minutes or so, just how much will the viewer remember. Or perhaps the object is not to give information but to enable the viewers to be able to examine the objects actively to discover defining aspects of the object that will leave a lasting impression. If it is the latter than the docent not only gives the viewer some information but presents it in such a manner that questions delivered by the docent enhance the viewers observations. The viewer becomes an active participant in looking and discovers elements that help define the piece more clearly and therefore leave a lasting impression. It is not the words delivered but the questions that prompt understanding.
Then how to craft the presentation for the audience is far more important that previously considered. It is not only including who, what, when and how, but do you see what the artist intended, do you see the effect he wanted to produce in you the viewer? That is the defining note of a good docent!