This course examines selected learning theories that have shaped—and are shaping—the development of educational offerings like programs and exhibitions in museums and similar informal learning environments. We explore a variety of ways that learning happens in these institutions, focusing on the visitors themselves. Students consider informal learning from the lenses of both educator and learner, experiencing and reflecting on educational approaches firsthand before then analyzing and suggesting improvements to an existing educational offering (virtual or onsite) based on the discussed learning theories and approaches.
Learning Researcher, Project Zero and Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Christina Smiraglia
Learning Researcher, Project Zero and Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Christina Smiraglia received her doctorate in education policy, leadership, and instructional practice from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), and her research interests include object-based and arts-based learning approaches. She serves as a senior researcher at Project Zero, a research center at HGSE, where she has worked with multiple research projects, including studies examining the impact of a corporate art collection and exhibition program on the workplace environment, the impact of maker experiences on students, the potential use of festivals to showcase student and teacher work, and stakeholders' perceptions of American liberal arts education. She also teaches courses on informal learning and audience research methods, serves as a capstone reader, and supervises faculty aides in the Harvard Extension School's museum studies program. Before coming to Harvard, Smiraglia worked in more than a dozen museums, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Zoo. Outside of work, she serves on the board of directors for Massachusetts Odyssey of the Mind, a creative problem solving program for students.
For over 25 years, Lynn Baum worked at the Museum of Science, Boston, where she oversaw school programs and created a suite of youth programs for urban teens. Baum was also the content developer for multiple natural history exhibits, including Natural Mysteries and Modeling the Mesozoic. Currently, as principal of Turtle Peak Consulting, Baum leads museum evaluation and content development projects. Her clients include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Additionally, Baum co-teaches courses on museum learning and research and evaluation in Harvard Extension School's museum studies program. Baum is a member of the Board of the Museum Education Roundtable and holds a master's degree in science museum education from Lesley University.