Okay so we have defined what a virtual museum is and we have discussed the positive and negative aspects of using this type of technology in a classroom setting. Up until now a virtual museum has only been thought of a resource for pupils to explore and discover more on specific topics. To them it is a collection of information that has been created, organized and stored for their benefit. However, what if we are to look at a virtual museum being educational in a different way? What if pupils were to create their own virtual museum?
Teachers give the pupils a project topic, for example one school class looked at the City of Chicago's ethnic diversity. With this topic in mind the pupils research and gather information that will eventually be the force behind their own virtual museum. An excellent example of this can be found at Keith Valley Middle School http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/4067362111456/FileLib/browse.asp?A=374&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=51558
The students here developed two virtual museums from scratch. They were able to do this with the tools provided by their technology teachers. These tools can be found in the link below and are definitely worth a look. I fancy having a go at designing one myself.
http://www.hatboro-horsham.org/4067362111456/FileLib/browse.asp?A=374&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=51541
Not only is this an excellent way for the pupils to become intrigued and interested in curricular topics but they also develop new ways to use and apply technology in an educational setting.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Pros and Cons of Virtual Museums
Many arguments can be found for the use of virtual museums, especially in an educational setting. In today's world the use of technology appears to be the way forward. Many physical museums are beginning to realise this is now where the audience is at and are turning to the digital world. But what effect does this have on education? Are children going to benefit more or less from the virtualization of such things?
The site Real v Virtual museums http://psyche.terrapolis.org/essays/real-vs-virtual-museums-119 does an excellent job at addressing the issues from both sides. It provides the limitations for both the physical and virtual museum. The site then goes on to address how educational experiences can either be enhanced or damaged by the virtualization of physical museums.
It is a very interesting read and points I had never thought of were brought up. However, I am still undecided on which could provide the best educational experience. If anyone has used either in an educational setting it would be great to hear your thoughts.
The site Real v Virtual museums http://psyche.terrapolis.org/essays/real-vs-virtual-museums-119 does an excellent job at addressing the issues from both sides. It provides the limitations for both the physical and virtual museum. The site then goes on to address how educational experiences can either be enhanced or damaged by the virtualization of physical museums.
It is a very interesting read and points I had never thought of were brought up. However, I am still undecided on which could provide the best educational experience. If anyone has used either in an educational setting it would be great to hear your thoughts.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Virutal Museums
VIRTUAL MUSEUMS
The virtualisztion of physical museums has increased interest from millions of people all over the world (Wikipedia). The beauty of a virtual museum is that no matter where you are in the world you can access a mountain of information on countless topics, all at the touch of a button. It's claimed that visitors to the traditional physical museums are being out numbered by the new virtual visitors. The first museum to be put online was in 1994. They were very basic and only available to the few who not only owned a computer but also had access to the Internet. An example of the earliest virtual museums can be found at http://moca.virtual.museum/. However, as computers and the internet excelled in their development so did the websites. Some virtual museums today even have the ability to proved three dimensional view of their content http://www.organismedia.com/virtualmuseum/.
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL MUSEUM
All the online museums I visited appear to consist of a collection of information or artifacts. Such things include but are not limited to- paintings, photographs,videos, drawings, letters, newspaper articles and interviews. Basically anything that can be digitalized. They provide everyone with access to knowledge on just about any topic. Seriously, try typing into google a topic of interest and add museum at the end. It is most likely there will be a digitalised museum for that subject.
BENEFITS OF USING VIRTUAL MUSEUMS
Learning Museums are specifically designed to provide an online resource of information which is available to anyone who wishes to learn more about a specific topic. I believe they can provide collaborative learning activities which will stimulate students in content learning more so than if they were to read the facts from a book. This form of instruction is not only accessible to all pupils' but can also provide an effective and efficient form of differentiated learning. They provide an excellent way for students to become engaged in higher level thinking, especially the ones who learn best using visual and Kinesthetic aid.
One online museum that I found particular interest in was The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco http://www.sfmuseum.org/. Having been to San Fraancisco I was interested to learn more about its history and I entered the site hoping to find some exciting facts and useful learning materials. Instead I was overwhelmed by the amount of detailed information available. Anything and everything you could ever want to know about both the history and the modern day San Francisco was available.
This type of museum is a great resource for any class doing a project on San Francisco or even a topic that occurred within San Francisco, such as the Gold Rush, fires and earthquakes, or even megastucture bridges. The website itself I found very easy to navigate, however, I do think the site could benefit from more vibrant images and some eye catching colors.
The overall idea of a virtual museum is an excellent way to engage active learning. However, does this kind of technology take away the possibility to experience learning outside the classroom. Being cheaper and safer than visiting physical museums are more and more children going to start missing out on vital experiences such as school trips?
The virtualisztion of physical museums has increased interest from millions of people all over the world (Wikipedia). The beauty of a virtual museum is that no matter where you are in the world you can access a mountain of information on countless topics, all at the touch of a button. It's claimed that visitors to the traditional physical museums are being out numbered by the new virtual visitors. The first museum to be put online was in 1994. They were very basic and only available to the few who not only owned a computer but also had access to the Internet. An example of the earliest virtual museums can be found at http://moca.virtual.museum/. However, as computers and the internet excelled in their development so did the websites. Some virtual museums today even have the ability to proved three dimensional view of their content http://www.organismedia.com/virtualmuseum/.
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL MUSEUM
All the online museums I visited appear to consist of a collection of information or artifacts. Such things include but are not limited to- paintings, photographs,videos, drawings, letters, newspaper articles and interviews. Basically anything that can be digitalized. They provide everyone with access to knowledge on just about any topic. Seriously, try typing into google a topic of interest and add museum at the end. It is most likely there will be a digitalised museum for that subject.
BENEFITS OF USING VIRTUAL MUSEUMS
Learning Museums are specifically designed to provide an online resource of information which is available to anyone who wishes to learn more about a specific topic. I believe they can provide collaborative learning activities which will stimulate students in content learning more so than if they were to read the facts from a book. This form of instruction is not only accessible to all pupils' but can also provide an effective and efficient form of differentiated learning. They provide an excellent way for students to become engaged in higher level thinking, especially the ones who learn best using visual and Kinesthetic aid.
One online museum that I found particular interest in was The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco http://www.sfmuseum.org/. Having been to San Fraancisco I was interested to learn more about its history and I entered the site hoping to find some exciting facts and useful learning materials. Instead I was overwhelmed by the amount of detailed information available. Anything and everything you could ever want to know about both the history and the modern day San Francisco was available.
This type of museum is a great resource for any class doing a project on San Francisco or even a topic that occurred within San Francisco, such as the Gold Rush, fires and earthquakes, or even megastucture bridges. The website itself I found very easy to navigate, however, I do think the site could benefit from more vibrant images and some eye catching colors.
The overall idea of a virtual museum is an excellent way to engage active learning. However, does this kind of technology take away the possibility to experience learning outside the classroom. Being cheaper and safer than visiting physical museums are more and more children going to start missing out on vital experiences such as school trips?
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