Learning in the Learning in the MuseumMuseumGeorge E. HeinGeorge E. Hein

HistoryHistory

Display of objects for entertainment is a Display of objects for entertainment is a product of late eighteenth centuryproduct of late eighteenth century

Major development of museums occurred Major development of museums occurred during the late nineteenth centuryduring the late nineteenth century

Early museums demonstrated wealth of Early museums demonstrated wealth of governmentgovernment

Educational theoryEducational theory

Theory of knowledge Theory of knowledge (epistemology)(epistemology) Classified by two extremes: Classified by two extremes:

realism and idealismrealism and idealism Theory of learningTheory of learning

Also classified by two Also classified by two extremes: absorption and extremes: absorption and transmissiontransmission

Theory of teachingTheory of teaching Pedagogy for expository—Pedagogy for expository—

didactic education didactic education Pedagogy for stimulus-Pedagogy for stimulus-

response education response education Pedagogy for constructivism Pedagogy for constructivism

Figures 2.2 and 2.4, p23-25

Early Visitor StudiesEarly Visitor Studies

Before 1900’s, almost no visitor studiesBefore 1900’s, almost no visitor studies Museum fatigueMuseum fatigue

Discusses how museums should have fewer Discusses how museums should have fewer objects, changing exhibitions and divide objects, changing exhibitions and divide museums between collections and study museums between collections and study areas (44)areas (44)

Growth for museums post-war (1950’s-Growth for museums post-war (1950’s-1960’s), but also lack of empirical visitor 1960’s), but also lack of empirical visitor study publicationsstudy publications

Holding Versus AttractingHolding Versus Attracting

The difference between holding-power The difference between holding-power and attracting-power is distinguishedand attracting-power is distinguished Attracting-power addresses the extent that Attracting-power addresses the extent that

visitors stayed to look at an objectvisitors stayed to look at an object Holding-power discussed how long visitors Holding-power discussed how long visitors

stay looking at a single object or gallerystay looking at a single object or gallery

The Countenance of The Countenance of Visitor StudiesVisitor Studies

In the 1970’s, there was a rapid growth of In the 1970’s, there was a rapid growth of visitor studies as a professional activity visitor studies as a professional activity

The field has produced professional museum The field has produced professional museum evaluators and there are now professional evaluators and there are now professional organizations of museum researchers. organizations of museum researchers. ““In the United States, the Committee for Audience In the United States, the Committee for Audience

Research and Evaluation (CARE) was recognized Research and Evaluation (CARE) was recognized as a standing committee of the American as a standing committee of the American Association of Museums in 1989 and the Visitor Association of Museums in 1989 and the Visitor Studies Association, founded in 1990, had more Studies Association, founded in 1990, had more than 350 members in 1997” (56). than 350 members in 1997” (56).

EvaluationEvaluation

One of the issues with evaluation is One of the issues with evaluation is determining whether or not evaluation can be determining whether or not evaluation can be unbiasedunbiased Should evaluators should be internal (employees of Should evaluators should be internal (employees of

the organization) or external (separated from the the organization) or external (separated from the organization)organization)

According to Hein, “…separating evaluation from the According to Hein, “…separating evaluation from the activity being evaluated” has become an activity being evaluated” has become an acknowledged practice and has “…supported the acknowledged practice and has “…supported the rise of large commercial organizations that rise of large commercial organizations that concentrate on federally funded programs” (61).concentrate on federally funded programs” (61).

Reliability Versus ValidityReliability Versus Validity

Reliability versus validityReliability versus validity Two concepts essential to all research in Two concepts essential to all research in

social sciencessocial sciences Validity refers to the extent to which Validity refers to the extent to which

information gathered is about the information gathered is about the phenomena in question phenomena in question

Reliability refers to the repeatability of a data Reliability refers to the repeatability of a data collection method or of a measurement collection method or of a measurement

Studying VisitorsStudying Visitors

The range of methods and tools available The range of methods and tools available to look at human activity is very broad to look at human activity is very broad

All methods fall into three categories:All methods fall into three categories: Observing what people doObserving what people do Using efficient speechUsing efficient speech Examining a product of human activityExamining a product of human activity

Methods of ObservationMethods of Observation

One observation One observation method is called method is called “tracking and timing” “tracking and timing” wherein the wherein the movement of visitors movement of visitors in the museum is in the museum is recorded or traced recorded or traced on the floor plan of a on the floor plan of a gallery (102)gallery (102)

Figures 6.1 and 6.2, p102-103

Methods of ObservationMethods of Observation

Naturalistic Naturalistic observation, structured observation, structured observations, event-observations, event-based observations, based observations, maps and floor plans, maps and floor plans, drawings, interviews, drawings, interviews, focus groups, and focus groups, and experience samplingexperience sampling

Figures 6.3 and 6.4, p106-107

Methods of ObservationMethods of Observation

Questionnaires or surveys are useful but Questionnaires or surveys are useful but have key disadvantages:have key disadvantages: Good questions are hard to come byGood questions are hard to come by Questionnaires and surveys are often Questionnaires and surveys are often

unreturnedunreturned Other written responses mentioned by Other written responses mentioned by

Hein include comment cards, participant Hein include comment cards, participant journals, and pre- and post-testsjournals, and pre- and post-tests

EvidenceEvidence

Learning in museums is a developmental Learning in museums is a developmental processprocess Given rise to two separate approaches to Given rise to two separate approaches to

learning in a museumlearning in a museum Categorizing visitors by previous experience w/ Categorizing visitors by previous experience w/

museumsmuseums Categorizing visitors in terms of their general Categorizing visitors in terms of their general

stages of developmentstages of development

EvidenceEvidence

Learning in museums is a social processLearning in museums is a social process Families of higher levels of education tend to ask Families of higher levels of education tend to ask

more questions or make more comments than do more questions or make more comments than do families at lower levels of education (147-148)families at lower levels of education (147-148)

Culture also influences learning, and effects the Culture also influences learning, and effects the outcomes of any form of research on learningoutcomes of any form of research on learning Socio-cultural learning is also addressed: “Socio-cultural Socio-cultural learning is also addressed: “Socio-cultural

theories (Vygotsky 1962/1978) suggest that the origins of theories (Vygotsky 1962/1978) suggest that the origins of intelligence should be sought in peoples social interaction intelligence should be sought in peoples social interaction rather than by examining the individuals with the rather than by examining the individuals with the environment” (149)environment” (149)

Questions to considerQuestions to consider

How should a new (or changing) nation-How should a new (or changing) nation-state define its museums, and how can state define its museums, and how can these help to define the culture of the these help to define the culture of the nation? (p10)nation? (p10)

Works CitedWorks Cited

Hein, George E. Hein, George E. Learning in the MuseumLearning in the Museum. . London: Routledge, 1998. Print.London: Routledge, 1998. Print.