In Principle, In Practice Museums as Learning Institutions

by Falk, John H.; Dierking, Lynn D.; Foutz, Susan; Allen, Sue; Anderson, David; Astor-Jack, Tamsin; Baum, Lynn; Blankman-Hetrick, Jane; Chesebrough, David E.; Ellenbogen, Kirsten M.; Garibay, Cecilia; Griffin, Des; Griffin, Janette; Gutwill, Joshua; Hayward,

• ISBN13: 9780759109773
• ISBN10: 075910977X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-03
• Publisher: AltaMira Press

Summary

The science museum field has made tremendous advances in understanding museum learning, but little has been done to consolidate and synethesize these findings to encourage widespread improvements in practice. By clearly presenting the most current knowledge of museum learning, In Principle, In Practice aims to promote effective programs and exhibitions, identify promising approaches for future research, and develop strategies for implementing and sustaining connections between research and practice in the museum community.

Table of Contents

How people learn in museums
Toward an improved understanding of learning from museums : filmmaking as metaphor	p. 3
Family learning in museums : perspectives on a decade of research	p. 17
Students, teachers, and museums : toward an intertwined learning circle	p. 31
Exhibit design in science museums : dealing with a constructivist dilemma	p. 43
Research on learning from museums	p. 57
Engaging audiences in meaningful learning
Envisioning the customized museum : an agenda to guide reflective practice and research	p. 77
Museums and cultural understanding	p. 91
Raising the relevancy bar at aquariums and science centers	p. 107
Challenging convention and communicating controversy : learning through issues-based museum exhibitions	p. 121
Fostering a learning-centered culture in our institutions
New ways of doing business	p. 139
Optimizing learning opportunities in museums : the role of organizational culture	p. 153
Fostering effective free-choice learning institutions : integrating theory, research, practice, and policymaking	p. 167
Meaningful collaboration	p. 181
Investigating museum learning in the next ten years
Understanding the long-term impacts of museum experiences	p. 197
Investigating socially mediated learning	p. 217
Research in museums : coping with complexity	p. 229
An emerging research framework for studying free-choice learning and schools	p. 247
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