This digest brings together the most significant international research into learning in interactive, object-based environments. It was produced for Curiosity & Imagination by Theano Moussouri of the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester, in July 2000.
Pleae contact us with suggestions for additions or amendments.
Navigate through the digest using these links:
- Background reading: learning theory references
- Learning from interactive exhibits and activities
- Family learning
- The role of play in learning
- The educational, social and economic impact of children’s museums, discovery and science centres
- Research and evaluation methods
Background reading: learning theory references
The following list of books and articles provide an introduction to different learning theories and learning styles which are particularly relevant to informal learning environments. They also explain terms, concepts and ideas used in this research digest. They can be accessed through most libraries and some of them are available on the internet.
Black, L.A. (1990) ‘Applying Learning Theory in the Development of a Museum Learning Environment’, in ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centres), What Research Says about Learning in Science Museums, vol.1, Washington DC, 23-25.
Bunch J.B. (1997) ‘Educational Philosophy and Program Planning: Applying Learning Theory and Research in Youth Museums’, in Maher, M. (Ed), Collective Vision: Starting and Sustaining a Youth Museum, Association of Youth Museums, Washington DC, USA, 79-89.
Dierking, L.D. (1992) ’A Historical Survey of Learning Theory’ in The Audience in Exhibition Development, American Association of Museums, Washington DC, 24 -28.
Feher, E. (1996) ‘Learning Inside the Head’, ASTC Newsletter, May/June, 2-4.
Hein, G.E. (1998) Learning in the Museum, Routledge, London.
Hein, G.E. and Alexander, M. (1998) Museums: Places for Learning, American Association of Museums Education Committee, Washington DC, USA, 29-39.
Hein, G.E. (1997) ‘Learning About Learning in Museums’, in Maher, M. (Ed), Collective Vision: Starting and Sustaining a Children’s Museum, Association of Youth Museums, Washington DC, USA, 76-78.
Hein, G.E. (1991) ‘Constructivist Learning Theory’, in The Museum and the Needs of People, ICOM/CECA Annual Conference, Jerusalem, Israel.
Moll, L. (Ed), (1995) Vygotsky and Education: Instructional Implications and Applications of Socio-historical Psychology, Cambridge University Press, USA, 1-30.
Serrell, B. (1990) ‘Learning Styles and Museum Visitors’, in ASTC, What Research Says about Learning in Science Museums, vol. 1, Washington DC, 29-31.
