Overview

Students will be introduced to museum education and object-based learning, museums as learning environments, and historical perspectives of learning theory in this unit. What role can museums serve in a learning community? Why do people go to museums, and what do they learn there? Are enjoyment, entertainment, and leisure time part of the equation? What is the importance of object-based learning and education in museums? What are the standards and best practices for museum educators?

Throughout this course, students are gradually exposed to various theories on human learning, including behavioral, social-cognitive, information processing, cognitive, and constructivist theories and theories about motivation and development. Learning theories are essential in museum work, particularly in museum education, as education is central to a museum's mission. Museums offer visitors a host of learning options for people of all ages related to object-based learning exhibits; object discovery centers; guided tours; gallery demonstrations and museum theater; classes and workshops; lecture series; and outreach programs including field tours, traveling exhibits, and trunk programs, as well as virtual exhibits and educational websites. Museum education includes school programs and programs for youth, families, and adults, with adult programs becoming increasingly crucial as the population ages.

To develop a compelling exhibit or educational program, museum educators must research and learn about the subject itself. Still, understanding object-based learning, audiences, learning approaches and theories, motivation, and developmental levels are also very important. For example, a specialist in art history, geology, or history may provide a wealth of factual information on the subject itself. Without an understanding of learning theories, specialists may not be able to determine the optimum approach for presenting the information in an appropriate educational format.

Museum educators often work in concert with other museum professionals, such as collections curators and exhibit designers, to create exhibits that are conducive to learning. They employ strategies that will best interpret objects to the public. These teams of trained professionals benefit immensely from museum educators' and other museum professionals' understanding of human learning, object-based study, and learning environments.

Module Objectives

In this module, the activities, content, and assignments will guide your learning process to ensure you can:

Define object-based learning as an integral part of museum education and interpretation
Identify basic historical perspectives of learning theories
Explain the concept of learning communities and museums as learning environments
Distinguish between formal, non-formal, and informal learning
Summarize museum education, its standards, and best practices

Module To-Do List

Here's everything you need to do and remember for this module:

Read the required resources
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