Perspectives on Object-Centered Learning in Museums

by Paris, Scott G.; Schauble, Leona; Wertsch, James V.; Callanan, Maureen A.

• ISBN13: 9780805839272
• ISBN10: 0805839275
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

Originating in a recent NSF conference held at the University of Michigan, this book examines the latest ideas about how children interact with objects and through that interaction acquire new understandings, attitudes, and feelings. Although museum education provides the primary setting within which object-centered learning is explored, the analyses apply to a wide range of learning environments. Despite the demonstrated importance of object-centered learning for both academic and life-long learning, until now there has been little psychological research on the topic. Key features of this outstanding new book include: *Cross-disciplinary Focus--This is the first book to examine object-centered learning using the perspectives of such diverse fields as science, history, literacy, and art. *Museum Focus--The explosion of interest in museums of all kinds provides a natural launching pad for conceptual and practical discussions of object-based learning and informal learning environments. Vignettes--In order to ground the conceptual analyses, each chapter includes vignettes describing people actively engaged with objects in a specific setting. This volume is appropriate for advanced students and researchers in educational psychology, cognitive psychology, science education, and persons directly involved in museum education.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xix
List of Contributors	xxi
Part I Studying Learning with Objects in Contexts
The Role of Context in Children's Learning From Objects and Experiences	3	(16)
Lynn Dierking
The Role of Objects in Active, Distributed Meaning-Making	19	(18)
Shawn Rowe
Children Learning with Objects in Informal Learning Environments	37	(18)
Scott G. Paris
Susanna E. Hapgood
The Authentic Object? A Child's-Eye View	55	(24)
E. Margaret Evans
Melinda S. Mull
Devereaux A. Poling
When the Object is Digital: Properties of Digital Surrogate Objects and Implications for Learning	79	(16)
C. Olivia Frost
Through the Garden Gate: Objects and Informal Education for Environmental and Cultural Awareness in Arboreta and Botanic Gardens	95	(18)
David C. Michener
Inger J. Schultz
Epistemological Issues about Objects	113	(8)
James V. Wertsch
Part II Discipline-Based Explorations of Objects
Learning With, Through, and About Art: The Role of Social Interactions	121	(32)
Barbara Piscitelli
Katrina Weier
Placing Objects Within Disciplinary Perspectives: Examples From History and Science	153	(18)
Robert Bain
Kirsten M. Ellenbogen
Fostering an Investigatory Stance: Using Text to Mediate Inquiry with Museum Objects	171	(20)
Susanna E. Hapgood
Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar
Objects and Learning: Understanding Young Children's Interaction with Science Exhibits	191	(24)
Leonie J. Rennie
Terence P. McClafferty
Reading Objects	215	(20)
Christina E. van Kraayenoord
Scott G. Paris
Cloaking Objects in Epistemological Practices	235	(10)
Leona Schauble
Part III Conversations About Objects
Object-Based Learning and Family Groups	245	(16)
Minda Borun
Maps, Globes, and Videos: Parent-Child Conversations About Representational Objects	261	(24)
Maureen A. Callanan
Jennifer L. Jipson
Monika Stampf Soennichsen
Pathways Among Objects and Museum Visitors	285	(16)
Kristine A. Morrissey
Objects of Learning, Objects of Talk: Changing Minds in Museums	301	(24)
Gaea Leinhardt
Kevin Crowley
Leveling the Playing Field Through Object-Based Service Learning	325	(26)
DeAnna Banks Beane
Myla Shanae Pope
The Object of Experience	351	(14)
Sally Duensing
Author Index	365	(10)
Subject Index	375