Research
The Research Centre for Museums and Galleries at Leicester University undertook a study to focus on the learning outcomes of school visits to museums.
- Over 1,000 teachers and over 20,000 pupils gave their views on museums.
- Museums are seen by pupils of all ages as good places to learn in a different way from school.
- Teachers see museums as places where the enjoyment and inspiration experienced by their pupils acts as a pathway to learning.
Museums can:
- help teachers to deliver the National Curriculum targets by basing learning on objects, sites and activities
- help teachers to deliver parts of the curriculum such as Citizenship and Creativity
- bring classroom teaching alive and access culture and heritage
- help teachers to provide for cross-curricular working
- hold collections unique to the area around local schools
- enhance the National Curriculum and reach beyond it by offering pupils a holistic learning experience
- provide unique experiences and insights
- provide the opportunity see and handle real objects
- provide the opportunity to experience primary sources
- provide enjoyable, positive experiences for children of all ages and abilities in an environment where:
- all children feel they can contribute
- those who find classroom learning difficult are able to access ideas and emotions in non-verbal ways
- children's attainment can be raised
- self-esteem can be increased
- different learning styles can be catered for.