Benefits of Learning in Museums and Galleries
In the Sultanate of Oman, the government is now, more than ever, sharply focused on diversifying their economy and investing in education to prepare the nation's youth for an economic landscape that will be significantly different from today.
21st Century skills are being placed centre stage to enable young people to develop critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaborative skills. So how can museums and different cultural settings help to build capacity in this field?
Pilot Programme 2015
““I had actually visited the museum previously, but the second visit was totally different. The activities highlighted objects that I had not been aware of previously. ‘Learning Beyond the Classroom’ was another new concept that demonstrated the advantages of visiting a museum with my students.” ”
In response to these new government objectives, I developed a pilot programme, 'Building Creative Partnerships' that was introduced to Oman in 2015.
The programme provided SCPTT - the Ministry of Education's flagship innovation training centre - a pathway into instigating creative changes at grass roots level that would impact on students' motivation, engagement and critical thinking.
In 2015, the programme empowered over 240 Music, Social Studies, Art and Islamic Studies Omani New Teachers to experience first hand the impact of learning in a museum or cultural setting.
The pilot programme elevated the value of cultural education, sparking curiosity across the Centre and recognition from the Minister of Education - Her Excellency Dr Madiha Al Shaibaniah led to expanding it across seven subject areas in 2016.
Pilot Creative Partnerships with Royal Opera House Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Bait Al Zubair Museum
Extended Programme for 2016
In 2016, I introduced the 'Learning Beyond the Classroom' initiative, enabling me to develop new programme content and to work with my team of 25 Omani trainers to develop the concept further and introduce the basic principles of STEAM - an integrated approach to learning - by recognising the connections between science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
I secured a total of 7 creative partnerships on behalf of the Centre and developed core content for each programme at:
““The field trip to Bait Al Zubair was an opportunity to identify and share new learning strategies. We looked at artwork by using interactive activities and role play. We were encouraged to think quickly, and share ideas and opinions.” ”
The newly opened National Museum
- The Planetarium
- EcOman Centre
- The Children's Museum
- Bait Al Zubair Museum
- Royal Opera House Muscat
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Throughout October and November, Creative Elements' 'Learning Beyond' programmes inspired and engaged over 720 OMANI NEW TEACHERS. The teachers went on to apply and extend these strategies in their regional museums, galleries, eco-centre, the natural environment, local farms or historical forts.
The overarching aim of 'Learning Beyond the Classroom in Oman' is to harness the power of participation in a cultural setting beyond the four walls of a classroom and the boundaries of a textbook, to develop 21st Century skills.
Left to Right: Ways of Looking at Objects Series: Dig a Little Deeper, What's My Opinion, Creating An Audio Tour, Make a Match at the National Museum.
““Designing an advertisement for the National Museum using our iphones was really fun. The experience helped my group to understand how such an activity can be really valid for our students. The approach was really motivating and I am confident it will have a lasting impact on the students’ learning.””
Impact
The core activities that I designed focused on the participants working directly with the content and themes in the museums. The overall engagement was impressive.
As the weeks unfolded, Omani Lead Trainers, inspired by the content, began to develop additional activities and really embraced the notion of experimentation at the venue. Their enthusiasm clearly demonstrated the power of a direct experience to inspire new ideas, build momentum and professional capacity in this area of thinking and creativity.
The inclusion of SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY and apps resulted in greater digital engagement by both trainers and participants. Co-producing and creating user-generated content including sharing responses to the activities and comments on social media platforms increased.
Omani New English Teachers evaluating the value of Creative Elements interactive self-directed workshop at The National Museum
Future of the Programme in 2017
““The annual interaction will lead to teachers and museum providers investing time in developing longer term learning experiences that provide meaningful interactions that cultivate critical thinking and innovation.””
For 2017, the Centre team of trainers are working independently to maintain and extend the programme to all 12 subject areas reaching over 3,000 new teachers.
My initial intention was to empower teachers to design and lead their own engagement in museums, to be creative and understand the value of utilising the rich resources and environments housed in prestigious cultural institutions and museums in the Sultanate of Oman. Learning does not have to reside within a classroom. Young people can learn equally as well in a new environment, and at times become more engaged when the learning experience extends beyond the classroom - the physical space and displays excite and engage the senses.
They can express their creativity and engage with their rich cultural heritage from a contemporary perspective in an environment that is not limited by the four walls of a classroom. And who knows where the inspiration will lead to...
Left to Right: Omani New Teachers using QR codes, preparing for Object in Role, 'Making Connections' presentation at the National Museum and Investigating Oil Production at the EcOman Centre
#youth #youthengagement #learning_beyond #museums #galleries #oman #heritage #content_development @createlements@scpttoman #culture #muscat #innovate #capacitybuilding
http://scptt.moe.gov.om/news1011201601/