AIHA PRESENTS MUSEUM LEARNING SHOWCASE

Learn How to Use Museums to Connect with Curriculum

The use of museum resources in the education of our school children is more significant today than it has ever been.  Museum Learning Initiative at the Albany Institute of History & Art  is presenting a “Museum Learning Showcase” on July 12, 2002, 9:00am – 4:00pm at the Albany Institute.

Since the mid 1980s, the NYS Education Department’s Board of Regents has strongly recommended that schools take greater advantage of museum resources to teach a variety of subjects, including the core curriculums of language arts, history, math and science.  Similar recommendations have been issued nationwide. Current state achievement tests requiring students to interpret primary source materials – maps, letters, diaries, political cartoons, fine art, and artifacts – dictate that museum/school partnerships are essential to student success.

“Both schools and museums must dismiss the notion that museum learning is ‘just a field trip’ and embrace recent pedagogy that recognizes the different ways that young minds acquire knowledge,” said Ted Lind, deputy director for education and public programs.  “Effective museum learning requires a sustained effort with exposure to object-based, primary source lessons throughout the school year. Fortunately, new educational technologies, such as websites and video-conferencing, now make it possible to integrate museum learning into the everyday curriculum.”

Museum Learning Initiative at the Albany Institute of History & Art was established in January 2002 to strengthen the role of museum learning in the schools of the Upper Hudson Region and is sponsoring the “Museum Learning Showcase” to encourage regional school educators, administrators and parent interest groups to discover curriculum-based programs and resources offered by regional museums and cultural organizations that teach with primary sources.

The “Showcase” is free-of-charge and will include displays and workshops throughout the day (9:00am – 4:00pm).  Some of the participating cultural organizations include: The Adirondack Museum, Albany County Historical Association/Ten Broeck Mansion, The Clark Institute, The Junior Museum, The New York State Museum, Rensselaer County Historical Society, Schuyler Mansion, Scotia-Glenville Children's Museum, and the World Awareness Children's Museum.  The Capital Region Center for Arts in Education is a cooperating partner in the program

Museum Learning Initiative at the Albany Institute of History & Art is made possible through funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, The GE Fund, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Lucille A. Herold Charitable Trust.