Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course will explore the historical, social, physical and policy context of museums and museum education.

Online Learning over 11 weeks with milestone activities plus 2 weeks for assessment.

None

None

3000 word essay on the role and purpose of learning in and through the museum encapsulating opportunities for exploration of the historical, physical, social and policy dimensions of museum education. The essay will:

■ Be specific to the writer's context

■ Make reference to research and policy relating to the chosen field.

10 minute museum soapbox podcast and presentation, (equivalent to 1000 words) justifying the museum as a tool for learning.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the opportunity to develop a critical awareness in relation to the historical, physical, social and policy context of the museum in order to understand the potential for learning in and through museums. Participants will be required to locate museum and heritage education in their own educational settings and to identify implications for practice within their own settings The role, value and theoretical justification for experiential learning and for object handling in terms of enhancing experience or of deepening knowledge will be an important focus.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theory of experiential learning and of object based learning, expressing how both translate to practice, conceptualizing the value and impact for children and for adults in a variety of contexts.

LO2 Communicate with peers and specialists, an understanding of how learning can be facilitated in and through the museum (object based learning).

LO3 Critically evaluate museum education sources such as policies and practice, strategies and interpretive methods in terms of impact on teaching and learning.

LO4 Effectively communicate in writing and orally, a critical understanding of how the design and management of the physical environment influences the learning experience.

LO5 Effectively communicate in writing and orally, a critical and sharing of examples of understanding of the historical and social context of the museum and of museum and heritage education, examining museum provision and practices across different cultures and educational settings with their peers.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.