This packet contains materials to help fourth and fifth grade teachers provide their students with background information for field trips to the California State Capitol Museum (Sacramento). The working museum focuses on the theme areas of California history, the state government/legislative process, and state symbols. The packet presents teacher…

This paper describes a model for the use of the Web to engage communities in better understanding and appreciation of cultures through partnership among a knowledge organization, K-12 teachers and learners, museums, and regional and virtual communities. Museums and other content providers offer artifacts for object-based learning. Content…

This paper argues that a range of forms and modalities of resources should be provided to ensure accessibility and richness on the World Wide Web for all users. Based on experiences in developing virtual exhibitions of Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Art, the authors present a brief overview of the technology available for accessibility. Then they explore…

The Iziko museums in Cape Town, South Africa in collaboration with the International Museums Studies Programme at the University of Bergen, Norway, have jointly developed a Web-based concept that combines oral storytelling with new technology to connect schools in the South and North. Awaiting funding at the time of publication, this project was…

This guide to the core exhibit of the Kentucky History Center (Frankfort) focuses on African American history in the commonwealth of Kentucky. The guide extracts text from seven of the exhibit's chronological areas and lists environments, displays, and other exhibit features to help students understand some of the events that shaped the African…

Missionary, educator, humanitarian, and collector, the Reverend Sheldon Jackson came to Alaska in 1877 to assimilate Native populations into the dominant White culture, but his collecting efforts between 1877 and 1902 represent a significant effort to preserve the legacy of Alaska Natives during a period of tumultuous change. A zealous missionary,…

This study investigated the changes that occurred in the knowledge and attitudes of a group of science and mathematics teachers (n=38) who took a museum education course. The course contained lectures and discussions on the rationales and strategies of museum education. The students also learned about the history of museum development in Taiwan…

Recent graduates of conservation courses throughout the United Kingdom were surveyed to determine the impact of existing training courses and internship courses on their early careers as conservators. (Conservators are archivists and curators who work primarily in museums.) Of the 404 individuals contacted, 137 (35.2%) returned usable responses.…

This article describes a University of Pittsburgh course for preservice teachers entitled, "Using the Museum as a Resource." The goal of this interdisciplinary offering is to emphasize the use of museum resources as a base for curriculum development. (Author/SJL)

Old Sturbridge in central Massachusetts, a recreated New England Village of the period 1790-1840, is a museum of the past which includes a learning center with reproductions of artifacts used in the period, with demonstration areas, and a teacher center where resource materials for class use are available. (MF)

Although museums are considered optimal venues for informal learning, this study concludes that most school classes visiting museums are restricted and structured, teachers use mainly task-orientated teaching practices, and the museum activities are rarely linked to topics being studied at school. A research-based framework to guide teachers in…

Discusses digital library development, particularly a national science digital library, and describes the Inquiry Page which focuses on building a constructivist environment using Web resources, collaborative processes, and knowledge that bridges digital libraries with users in K-12 schools, museums, community groups, or other organizations. (LRW)

Presents a matrix that can serve as a tool for designing the information architecture of a Web portal in a logical and systematic manner. Highlights include interfaces; metaphors; navigation; interaction; information retrieval; and an example of a children's Web portal to provide access to museum information. (Author/LRW)

Describes four activities for the French-as-a-Second-Language classroom, including: a lesson in the interpretation of graphs (Lescure); a unit on measurement, money systems, museums, and schools in France (Berteloot, Ploquin); oral and written exercises based on French history and culture (Ploquin, Store); and a vocabulary development activity…

Describes computing access in public spaces (CAPS) and presents a case study of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) Learning Center, including the design, implementation, and testing prior to its installation. Characteristics of CAPS are discussed, and guidelines for the USHMM Learning Center are explained. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)