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Link:

ucl.ac.uk/museums/learning" target="_self">¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Museums & Collections: Teaching and Learning

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Museums & Collections has kickstarted several new collaborations across the university to promote the academic opportunities provided by ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's 800,000 objects and artefacts.

A special study day 'Object-Based Learning in Higher Education' held on 2 April, attracted around 70 delegates from the university, and other higher education establishments and museums.

The day showcased how ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Museums & Collections - from the artworks of the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Art Collections to the artefacts of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology -Ìý can be a valuable resource for higher education learning opportunities.

Delegates had the chance to explore museum object-based teaching activities and also saw demonstrations of applications designed for the virtual learning environment Moodle based on the geology, zoology and art collections.Ìý

The event was opened by Professor Michael Worton (Vice-Provost, Academic & International), whose office has supported several of the projects under discussion, via funding from the Executive Sub-Committee for Innovations in Teaching, Learning and Assessment.

Dr Helen Chatterjee (Deputy Director, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Museums & Collections and Lecturer in ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Genetics, Evolution & Environment) chaired the event, and illustrated how departments can involve collections in their teaching.

Staff from across ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº departments, including the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching, ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Earth Sciences and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Archaeology, presented case studies that demonstrated how object-based learning can enhance cross-disciplinary teaching and strengthen transferable skills.

Dr Joe Cain of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Science and Technology Studies offered an introduction to the practice, which supports analytical, critical and practical skills across a range of disciplines. ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Archaeology's Dr Rachael Sparks offered a how-to guide.

Rhiannedd Smith, Undergraduate Learning Officer at the University of Reading, provided the day's plenary lecture, discussing her role as a facilitator of object based learning, bridging the gap between museums and the student learning experience.

Interactive sessions covered problem-based learning, enquiry-based learning and skills acquisition.

Papers from the day will be published by the University Museums and Collections Journal in early 2010.

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¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Context
Object-based learning at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº takes many forms, supporting the development of analytical, critical and practical skills. Artefacts, specimens, historical texts and artworks are used in biology practicals, archaeology handling sessions, anthropology projects, art historical analysis, museum studies exhibitions, computer studies projects, and in practical teaching of anatomy and pathology. Object-based learning takes place at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, involving over 100 course units and 2,500 students a year.

For further information about Object-Based Learning please contact Dr Helen Chatterjee.

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