Museum learning is a vital component of the lifelong learning process that increasingly shapes the development of twenty-first century individuals. In The Manual of Museum Learning, seasoned museum professionals offer practical advice for creating successful learning experiences in museums and related institutions, including galleries, zoos, and botanic gardens, that can attract and intrigue diverse audiences. Based on an understanding of museum learning as an experience that occurs within a personal, social, and physical context, it explores why, for whom, and how these contexts can be orchestrated in museum galleries with optimal results.
Section One, Why, aims to identify what museum learning is, why it matters, and its possibilities for enhancing the future of museums, and of our civilization.
Section Two, Who, explores the range of both child and adult museum learners today, probing the potential to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of the museum experience.
Section Three, How, documents the means at our disposal to achieve these results--the volunteers, professional staff, space and facilities, policies and plans, new technologies, evaluation procedures, and marketing techniques that are vital to making a museum learning program work.