A night (or day) at the museum
Images courtesy of Okains Bay Museum
By Heather Barker Vermeer Industry Reporter
Schools want to develop global citizens with critical thinking skills, effective communication, problem solving, subject immersion and a love of learning. A trip to a museum should be high on the list, then. With modern museums offering much more than a ticket in, teachers are no longer tasked with producing print-outs, name badges, and no longer need to transform into an expert on any given subject matter at the drop of a hat. Museums are a boon for learning experiences, and the museum trip itself is a joy for EOTC-weary teachers. Whatever the theme, location, or history of a museum, experiencing learning in an information-rich, unfamiliar environment submerges students and staff in something new – together. It provides a perspective that cannot be taught from the familiar comfort of the classroom. Being in a stimulating new environment can fuel the imagination, trigger new ideas and sometimes break habits in thinking or behaviour. By taking learning experiences out of the classroom and into the museum, you are able to allow your students to become immersed in the subject matter to enhance what they have learned, or will go on to learn, at school. Not only are your students able to better visualise and experience the learning topics, but they can also hear from experts to deepen their understanding and hear different perspectives. World
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views and general knowledge are also expanded along with subject knowledge. Getting to know your students better and allowing them to get to know you can be one of the most valuable offshoots of such trips. As well as the travel there and back, being in a museum environment allows interaction to take place directly on the subject matter, as well as more broadly. Students see their teachers engaged in learning and the growth mindset is being modelled. Developing personal connections will create building blocks for future learning, creating better motivation for both student and teacher. Relationships among students and between students and staff are strengthened and new bonds formed. Having experts on hand to guide your group will likely be a Godsend, and not just as a chance for passing on the paperwork for a change. Letting museum staff lead the learning will provide an opportunity for all to listen to a new knowledgeable voice and experience an alternative teaching style and fresh perspective in a fresh environment. You’ll all learn. Your teaching practice will likely also benefit from needing to cater to individual students differently, in a different environment. From the practical, hands-on learners that thrive outside the classroom to the academically confident kids welcoming the chance to shine, and the less extroverted ones being exposed to new challenges and opportunities for growth, each student can find their place at the museum. Term 2, 2022 | schoolnews.co.nz
