This comprehensive anthology features 47 selected articles from the 'Journal of Museum Education' plus ten new introductory essays by leaders in museum education and related fields. The articles and essays explore some of the fundamental issues concerning the role of education in museums today, from serving diverse communities to motivating visitors in an informal learning setting. The book is divided into five sections which 1) trace the evolution of the museum education profession; 2) explore the field's theoretical base; 3) consider methods of research used; 4) provide examples of how theory is translated into practice; and 5) summarize issued relating to professional development. Sponsored by the Museum Education Roundtable.

Coming of Age
The Museum''s Role in a Multicultural Society
Revolution of the Field: Historical Context
Afro-American Museums: A Future Full of Promise
The Growth of a Program: From Childhood through Adolescence
On Interpretation and Historic Sites
To Realize Our Museums'' Full Potential
Educators Respond to Museum for a New Century
Some Limitations
Implications for Museum Educators
Key Issues
Internal Growth
The Uncertain Profession: Perceptions and Directions
A Questionable Attitudinal Survey
Strength in Ambiguity
Our Work Is Good for People
Key Issues
Eisner and Dobbs'' Generalizations
Eisner and Dobbs''s Recommendations
Professional Standards for Museum Educators, American Association of Museums Standing Professional Committee on Education
MER at Twenty: Some Observations on Museum Education
Museums and the Future of Education
"Excellence and Equity: Education and the Public Dimension of Museums"
American Association of Museums Task Force on Museum Education
"Excellence and Equity:" Excerpts from the Report The Diverse Potential of Education in Museums
Education: A Responsibility or the Responsibility?
Museum Education and Ideals
The Importance of "And"
Museum Literacy and "Visitor Literacy"
Museums in Cultural and Temporal Context
Museums'' Social Contract
Reflecting on Things and Theory
Looking
Were Those Indians Hit by Cars?
Object Knowledge: Every Museum Visitor an Interpreter
Defining Museum Literacy
Object Contemplation: Theory into Practice
Responses to Schlereth, Stapp, and Williams
From What to Why
Unhanding the Visitor
Interpreting History through Objects
The Missing Link: The Role of Orientation in Enriching the Museum Experience
Vision and Culture: The Role of Museums in Visual Literacy
E. D. Hirsch''s Art Terms in Cultural Literacy
Museums and KnowledgeS The Responsibility to Open Minds
Naive Notions and the Design of Science Museum Exhibits
Passionate and Purposeful: Adult Learning Communities
Museum Visitors and the Development of Understanding
Sending Them Home Alive
Museum Multicultural Education for Young Learners
Considering the Museum Experience
New Directions for Research
Evaluating Visitors'' Conversations with Exhibits
Back to the Future: A Call for Coordinated Research Programs in Museums
Visitor Participation in Formative Exhibit Evaluation
Do Museums Have "Curriculum?"
The Family Museum Experience: Implications from Research
The Family Museum Experience: A Review of the Literature
Beyond "Aha!": Motivating Museum Visitors
Understanding Demographic Data on Zoo Visitors
Section 4
Ideas on Informal Learning and Teaching
Inviting the Public to Learn in Art Museums
A Personal Viewpoint
Decentralizing Interpretation: Developing Museum Education Materials with and for Schools
Education Programs for Older Adults
Case Studies: Museum Programs for Older Adults
Learning about Reptiles and Amphibians: A Family Experience
Student Interpreters: Narrowing the Gap between Visitor and Exhibit
The University Gallery as a Field Setting for Teacher Education
Master Teaching in an Art Museum
Addressing Community Needs: The Pontiac Art Center
Role-Playing in Children''s Museum
Theater Techniques in an Aquarium or a Natural History Museum
Current Approaches to Interpretation in Zoos
Designed to Be Interpreted
An Integrative Process for Exhibit Design
High-Tech Interactive Exhibits
Low-Tech Interactive Exhibits
The Use of Humor in Zoological Interpretation
Entertainment and Education: Antonyms or Allies?
Theater in a Zoo?
Thinking about Ourselves and Our Field
On Professional Knowing
Your Private Temple: Fighting Change
Getting It Down on Paper
Education for Excellent Interpretation
Concept, Method, and Professional Exchange
Training for Museum Education Professionals
Preparation for Empowerment
The Whole Audience Catalogue
Questioning Premises
Touchstones
Teachin
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