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  2. EDU T412

Learning in the Museum: Pedagogies in Practice
EDU T412

Course Information

Description

Museums are spaces for learners of all kinds to question, wonder, investigate, discuss, and build practical and analytical skills. Based in the diverse, world-class collections at the Harvard Art Museums, this practice-based course explores a variety of strategies for object-based teaching and learning, while taking a critical approach to these pedagogies. We will read key scholarship on a range of methods for teaching with art and other objects, and then model and assess those methods ourselves. With the Art Museums as our home base, we will explore what museum education can look like for various types of learners and imagine creative ways to engage them longer and more deeply. Course activities will include field-testing and reflecting on various museum learning strategies at the Harvard Art Museums; field trips to other institution types (e.g. natural history and science museums); active discussions; and group work to design hypothetical learning experiences. Readings on theories and methods in museum pedagogy, with a particular emphasis on art museum pedagogy, will form the basis of our inquiries. The final project will be for students to design, propose, and facilitate portions of a museum-based learning experience.
Please note that this course enrolls students by instructor permission only, and admission is fairly competitive. Please see the course Canvas page for instructions on how to apply for this course.

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Student Option (Letter Graded, Sat/Unsat)
Learning Goals By the end of this course, students will: Be familiar with a variety of strategies for object-based teaching and learning in museums, and be able to speak and think critically about these approaches; Be familiar with case studies and real-world examples from learning design at a variety of museums; Have the first-hand experience to understand how to design museum-based learning experiences for a variety of audiences; Have the tools to design learning experiences with objects from across time and place
Career Focus

Based in the diverse, world-class collections at the Harvard Art Museums, this practice-based course explores a variety of strategies for teaching and learning with museum objects, while taking a critical approach to these pedagogies. This course is appropriate for students in all programs with an interest in museum-based learning. Through readings, modeling and testing out object-based learning methods, and students' own design of various museum learning activities, students will gain an understanding of how people learn in museums and how educators can engage different audiences using a variety of "ways in." Students will get to know the collections at the Harvard Art Museums along the way, and will attend visits and programs at other museums, where they will be exposed to content experts and both formal and informal learning strategies.