Overview

Learning in the Museum begins with a brief history of education in public museums, and a rigorous examination of how the educational theories of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky and subsequent theorists relate to learning in the museum. A survey of the wide range of research methods employed in visitor studies is illustrated with examples taken from museums around the world. George E. Hein concludes that visitors can best learn in exhibitions which are physically, socially, and intellectually accessible to every single visitor. This volume serves as a practical guide for all museum professionals on how to adapt their museums to maximize the educational experience of every visitor. It will also be essential reading for educators interested in learning in the museum.

Full Product Details

9780415097758

Table of Contents

Reviews

... this work is an extremely valuable resource. The book is thought-provoking.... <br>- The Public Historian <br> I recommend Learning in the Museum to anyone directly or indirectly involved in the design of museum exhibitions or programs. Challenging, provocative, and charged throughout with the author's intelligence and enthusiasm, it is both practical and intellectually satisfying. <br>- Museum News <br> This book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on museum education...Its review of the research literature on visitor studies and consideration of research models and methods make it a very useful guide for professionals engaged in those activities. As well, it offers sound educational principles to develop exhibits that are respectful of visitors' abilities to learn. <br>- MUSE <br> Learning in the Museum, by uniting the heretofore separate schools of visitor studies and educational theory, is a valuable and well researched tool for administration and front line staff. <br>- ALHFAM Bulletin <br> It should be required reading for any person in the field of museology, though it provides more than the layperson might want to know about the theories of education, however interesting. <br>- Choice, Feb. 1999 <br>

... this work is an extremely valuable resource. The book is thought-provoking.... - The Public Historian I recommend Learning in the Museum to anyone directly or indirectly involved in the design of museum exhibitions or programs. Challenging, provocative, and charged throughout with the author's intelligence and enthusiasm, it is both practical and intellectually satisfying. - Museum News This book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on museum education...Its review of the research literature on visitor studies and consideration of research models and methods make it a very useful guide for professionals engaged in those activities. As well, it offers sound educational principles to develop exhibits that are respectful of visitors' abilities to learn. - MUSE Learning in the Museum, by uniting the heretofore separate schools of visitor studies and educational theory, is a valuable and well researched tool for administration and front line staff. - ALHFAM Bulletin It should be required reading for any person in the field of museology, though it provides more than the layperson might want to know about the theories of education, however interesting. - Choice, Feb. 1999

Author Information

George E. Hein is a Professor at Lesley College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is co-author of Active Assessment of Active Science (1991) and a leading authority on museum education.

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