Museums can be powerful spaces of learning. This course examines the role of museum educators in connecting collections to diverse audiences. Students engage with scholarship on object-based pedagogies and apply methodologies into practice, critiquing and developing educational content for students, families, and adult learners across varied formats and settings.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will complete more rigorous and extensive assignments. Museum Studies MA students will complete professional-quality work in the area of museum education that will contribute to the development of the museum studies portfolio submitted in Museum Studies Portfolio. Such work products may include public-facing materials such as brochures, websites and interactives, interpretation plans, educational programming, and didactic materials.
Athena Title
Museum Education
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
FCID 5010/7010
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will critically evaluate educational theories and pedagogies relevant to learning environments in museums, broadly conceived.
Students will reflect on the role of museum educators and articulate strategies for facilitating meaningful learning experiences in museum contexts.
Students will design and create educational activities using collections tailored to specific audiences of learners.
Topical Outline
1. Foundations of Museum Education
a.) Introduction to the field
b.) Historical and contemporary perspectives
c.) Roles and responsibilities of museum educators
d.) Field trips to UGA and Athens Museums
2. Object-Based Pedagogy
a.) Theories of object-based learning
b.) Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
c.) Slow Looking and Agile Objects
d.) Designing object-centered activities
3. Engagement Strategies
a.) Guided tours
b.) Inquiry-based and dialogic approaches
c.) Gallery activities and facilitation techniques
d.) Self-guided interactions and interpretive materials
4. Youth and School Programs (K-12)
a.) Curricular alignment and standards
b.) Age-appropriate content development
c.) Managing group dynamics and behavior
5. Academic Affairs and University Engagement
a.) Collaborating with faculty
b.) Interdisciplinary learning
c.) Campus outreach
6. Public Programming
a.) General and intergenerational audiences
b.) Community outreach and partnerships
c.) Inclusive and accessible program design
7. Program Evaluation and Reflection
a.) Assessment learning outcomes and visitor engagement
b.) Tools for formative and summative evaluation
c.) Developing a reflective teaching practice
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
