This article offers an analysis of the process of error recovery as observed in the development and use of collections databases in a university museum. It presents results from a longitudinal case study of the development of collaborative systems and practices designed to reduce the number of errors found in the museum's databases as museum…

Today's thriving art museums--and the various processes that deliver both their overt and covert missions--are likely to have a greater impact on society than ever before. With such potential, it seems especially important at this juncture to examine critically the art museum as process; to deconstruct that which has been "constructed as a symbol…

This essay begins by considering museum studies in relationship to curriculum studies and new museology. The author notes that traditional museum and school learning modes have focused more on measurement than meaning, while curriculum studies and new museology urge a broader exploration of the social purposes of education. Drawing on the work of…

Over the last two decades, the role of education in museums has shifted from being the purview of a specific set of individuals charged with creating programs and activities for school children and other visitors to being the central purpose of our institutions. This new paradigm distributes education responsibilities across the museum. Given this…

This article examines the nuances of conducting evaluation of and in nonformal education programs and settings. The author examines a set of universal evaluation issues--evaluator role, stakeholder involvement, program theory, capacity building, strategy selection, and evaluation use--as they occur and interact within nonformal education…

In 1916 George Gustav Heye (1874-1975), a wealthy engineer and financier, founded the Museum of the American Indian in New York City. Heye served as director of the museum, which opened to the public in 1922, until 1956. In 1989, after several decades of financial problems and declining attendance, the Heye collections were transferred to the…

In this report, the author shares her perspective on ten years of science-rich programming for high school youth at the American Museum of Natural History. This report includes: (1) A discussion of the theory of action and the rationale that underlies the AMNH youth programs; (2) A description of three of the programs that have been offered and…

There is a growing commitment within science centres and museums to deploy computer-based exhibits to enhance participation and engage visitors with socio-scientific issues. As yet, however, we have little understanding of the interaction and communication that arises with and around these forms of exhibits, and the extent to which they do indeed…

This paper investigates the educational role of museums of chemistry in presenting chemistry to the public in Italy, particularly to students. The activities carried out by Italian museums and scientific collections completely dedicated to chemistry have been analyzed, focusing on the relationship between these institutions and students with…

This document provides a comprehensive listing of Canadian museum studies and related programs in the various disciplines within museum studies. This publication is an informational directory only and does not include endorsement by the Canadian Museums Association or equivalencies. Listings are printed in French and/or English, indicating the…

This student project involved publishing the author's log of art museum and gallery visits, undertaken as part of a liberal arts class, on some of the computer bulletin boards in the New York City area. Purposes of the project were to share what was learned in the class, to acquire experience with online group interaction, and to determine what is…

This research project developed a teaching model using museums for educational purposes. The research involved educational programs for children 9 to 11 years of age at the David M. Stewart Museum, near Montreal, Quebec, which specializes in the colonial history of Canada and Quebec. The study focused on the nature of museum visits, learning…

Eight papers and nine summaries of papers present themes and discussions addressed during the European Peace Research Association (EUPRA) conference in Budapest (Hungary) in 1993. Following an introduction with overview information regarding the conference, the first three sections present eight papers on areas studies, peace museums, concepts,…

Questions present methods of science instruction in secondary schools. Offers suggestions to increase learning efficiency by substitution of alternate instructional procedures. The Exploratorium in San Francisco is identified as one alternative. (CP)

A series of studies of explanatory label reading and comprehension by visitors of various age groups was conducted at The Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia. A single large, complex exhibit (the Gravity Tower) was selected for case study. Adult visitors were found to read an average of only 18 percent of the labels in the exhibit…