Patterns in Practice: Selections from the Journal of Museum Education

by Nichols,Susan K

• ISBN13: 9781880437001
• ISBN10: 1880437007
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781315422879
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2007-08-15
• Publisher: Routledge
• More Book Details

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

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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