ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Apologies for cross-promotions. Please share with colleagues:

The Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria, British Columbia is pleased to offer the following 6-day immersion opportunity for professionals and volunteers working in museums, heritage sites, cultural centres, science centres and galleries.

MUSEUMS AS LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
HA 488H (1.5 units)

Effective museums provide their communities with rich and welcoming environments in which diverse learning experiences can take place. This course explores the unique role of the museum as a learning environment, and strengthens your understandings of the ways in which both visitors and staff learn in and use the museum. Focus will be on the integration of personal knowledge and experiences as a learner and/or a "teacher" in the museum with broader theory and practice. This course will help to develop your understanding of:
*       History and types of learning theories used in the museum setting 
*       Impact of learning theories on institutional mission and goals (and vice versa) 
*       Conceptions of learning and learners, teaching and teaching 
*       Discipline-based ways of knowing 
*       Importance of the setting including discussions of museums, schools, and virtual museums 
*       Museums as workplace learning organizations 

Dates: March 22 to 27, 2004, with a preparatory assignment
Please register by: March 12 
Fee: CDN $550 (credit and non-credit options available)
Instructor: Christine Castle, Ph.D, is an experienced museum consultant specializing in audience development, museum education and continuing professional development. Her Dissertation: "Interpreters, Docents and Educators: Ways of Knowing, Ways of Teaching in a History Museum, an Art Gallery, and a Nature Centre builds on her extensive experience as both an educator and an interpreter.

Draft Course Outline

Monday - Educational theories and their application to museums:
*       Course overview, assignments, expectations 
*       Introductions 
*       Learning from yourself - tools for reflective practice 
*       Educational theories and learning - A curriculum-theory model of the museum 

Tuesday - Conceptions of learners and learning:
*       Conceptions of learning, including learning styles, multiple intelligences, and levels of understanding 
*       Looking at learners - Students; Adults; Groups; Schoolteachers; Staff and Volunteers 
*       Measuring learning 

Wednesday - Learning from subject matter and setting:
*       Discipline-based knowledge and museum literacy 
*       Unique qualities of the setting - museums, schools and virtual museums 
*       Situated knowledge and motivation 

Thursday - Learning from museum "teachers" and "teaching":
*       Conceptions of museum teachers and teaching 
*       Pedagogy and andragogy 
*       Research on teaching in museums 
*       Learning to "teach" 

Friday - The museum as a learning organization: Communities of practice
*       Learning on the job 
*       Institutional controls on learning 
*       Action research 

Saturday - Embracing learning:
*       Presentation of group assignments 
*       Course wrap up and evaluation

This course is open to all professionals involved in museums, heritage sites, galleries, cultural centres or related organizations. 

A course description and registration form are available by contacting us at [log in to unmask] or by visiting our web site at  http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/crmp/courses/ha488h-2.cfm

For more information please contact: 
Lisa Mort-Putland, Program Coordinator
Cultural Resource Management Program 
Continuing Studies, University of Victoria 
PO Box 3030 STN CSC Victoria BC Canada V8W 3N6 
Tel: 250 721-6119 Fax: 250 721-8774 
Email: mailto:[log in to unmask]
Visit our Web site! http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/crmp
To receive monthly email updates, contact [log in to unmask]

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