As We See It: Improving Learning in the Museum

Susan Groundwater-Smith, University of Sydney

Lynda Kelly, AMARC

As We See It: Improving Learning in the Museum, Groundwater-Smith & Kelly2

Project Aims• Investigate & improve provisions for

learning at Museum• Further increase understandings about

audience needs, learning processes & museum practice:– with an audience we haven’t researched in

depth before

• Actively involve staff in the research process

• Form long-term partnerships

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Project Collaboration

• Centre for Practitioner Research, The University of Sydney

• Australian Museum, Sydney• Coalition of Knowledge Building Schools,

Sydney

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Sample

• Museum staff:– Education staff and interpretive officers

• School children:– five schools across Sydney– public & private– K/1; 5/6; Year 6; Year 7; Year 8; Year 11

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How can learning be improved?

• “Learning is a dynamic process dependent on the individual and their environment within a social context that focuses on some change. Ultimately, museum learning is about changing as a person: how well the visit inspires and stimulates people into wanting to know more, as well as changing how they see themselves and their world both as an individual and as part of a community” (Kelly, 2001, p.3)

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Image-based research

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‘silent conversation’

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Focus groups/workshops

Observation

Reflection

Presentations

Posters

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Findings