The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell from edX

In this course, you’ll discover how museum objects and works of art can broaden our perspectives, reveal silenced stories, and make relevant connections to our world today. Museum educators will explore connections among their collections and model teaching strategies that participants can implement with their students, whether online or in the classroom.

Teachers, join six Smithsonian museums for 14-weeks of teacher professional development from home. We’ll introduce the Smithsonian Learning Lab, a free, online platform for accessing digital museum resources and creating interactive learning experiences with them. Participants will discover how to teach with museum resources to engage students in deeper thinking and support content learning across disciplines.

Over the duration of the course, you will reflect on what you have learned and workshop ideas to create a learning experience for your classroom.

What you'll learn

Gain expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums through recorded video sessions
Reflect and share ideas with a community of educators via discussion forums
Explore inquiry-based strategies for integrating museum objects and works of art into your teaching, whether in the classroom or online
Learn to use a variety of educational technology tools, including the Smithsonian Learning Lab, to curate digital resource collections and share lesson ideas

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain expertise from educators from multiple smithsonian museums through recorded video sessions
Explore inquiry-based strategies for integrating museum objects and works of art into your teaching, whether in the classroom or online

Learn to use a variety of educational technology tools, including the
, to curate digital resource collections and share lesson ideas

Gain expertise from educators from multiple smithsonian museums through recorded video sessions
Explore inquiry-based strategies for integrating museum objects and works of art into your teaching, whether in the classroom or online
Learn to use a variety of educational technology tools, including the
, to curate digital resource collections and share lesson ideas

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines museum objects and works of art, which are compelling to many people's imaginations and interests

Taught by multiple Smithsonian museum educators, who are recognized for their expertise in the field

Develops skills for using educational technology tools, which are essential for online and blended learning

Guides learners through materials in the Smithsonian Learning Lab to complement their learning journey

Provides strategies for integrating museum resources into curricula for multi-disciplinary learning, expanding the materials available to educators

Guides learners in the creation of learning experiences for classroom implementation, addressing practical application

Reviews summary

Smithsonian insights for educators

According to students, this course is highly valued for its unique access to Smithsonian expertise, offering diverse perspectives from multiple museums. Learners appreciate the focus on inquiry-based teaching strategies, which help integrate museum objects and works of art into the classroom. The introduction to the Smithsonian Learning Lab is highlighted as a practical tool for curating digital resources. While the course provides a solid foundation for educators seeking professional development, some learners might seek more advanced pedagogical discussions or real-time interaction, though the discussion forums facilitate community exchange.

Encourages reflection and sharing with a community of educators.

"Reflecting on ideas and sharing insights with other educators in the forums was a highly valuable part of the course."

"The community aspect truly added value, allowing me to see diverse classroom applications of the material."

"I appreciated connecting with peers who share my interest in museum education and innovative teaching."

Introduces a powerful digital tool for curating resources.

"The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a fantastic free platform; I found it incredibly useful for creating lessons."

"I now feel confident using the Learning Lab to curate digital collections and share my lesson ideas."

"It's a very practical educational technology tool that will significantly help me manage resources."

Provides practical, inquiry-based strategies for classroom integration.

"I can immediately implement the inquiry-based strategies taught in this course in my own classroom."

"The course effectively modeled ways I can use museum resources to foster deeper thinking in my students."

"I learned practical approaches to engage my students with art and objects, supporting learning across disciplines."

Offers unparalleled insights from diverse museum educators.

"I gained immense value learning directly from educators across multiple Smithsonian museums."

"The course truly broadened my perspectives by exploring how museum objects can tell silenced stories."

"Gaining expertise from the Smithsonian is an unparalleled professional development opportunity for me."

Might feel introductory for highly experienced educators.

"As an experienced teacher, I found some of the initial content to be more of a refresher than a deep dive."

"I was hoping for more advanced pedagogical theory, but the course certainly provides a solid foundational overview."

"While excellent for new teachers, I felt it lacked the deeper exploration of themes that an experienced educator might seek."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell with these activities:

Read 'The Art of Museum Education'

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Gain theoretical foundations and best practices in museum education through a comprehensive text.

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Read and reflect on key concepts in museum education
Analyze case studies and examples
Apply insights to your own teaching practice

Review fundamental math principles

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Reinforce your foundational mathematical knowledge to better understand complex concepts in the course.

Browse courses on Math

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Review basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
Practice solving algebraic equations
Explore fundamental calculus concepts

Review museum concepts

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Refresh your understanding of basic museum concepts to strengthen your understanding of museum education.

Browse courses on Museum Studies

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Review key terms and definitions related to museum collections, exhibitions, and education.
Read articles or books on museum theory and practice.
Visit a local museum and observe how museum objects and exhibitions are used for educational purposes.

Ten other activities

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Organize your course materials

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Keep track of the resources and materials you gather throughout the course to enhance your teaching and future reference.

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Create a digital or physical folder to store all course materials, such as lecture notes, handouts, and assignments.
Use a note-taking app or notebook to organize your thoughts and reflections on the course content.
Bookmark or save important websites and resources related to museum education.

Explore educational technology tools for museum resource integration

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Enhance your understanding of how to use digital tools to enhance student engagement with museum resources.

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Identify and research relevant educational technology tools
Follow tutorials and documentation
Experiment with the tools to familiarize yourself with their features

Join a study group with fellow educators

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Connect with other educators to exchange ideas, support, and enhance your understanding of the course material.

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Find or create a study group
Meet regularly to discuss course content
Collaborate on assignments and projects

Explore the Smithsonian Learning Lab

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Become familiar with the Smithsonian Learning Lab's features and resources to enhance your teaching with museum objects.

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Create an account on the Smithsonian Learning Lab website.
Explore the different sections of the website, including the Collections, Resources, and Teaching Tools sections.
Take a guided tutorial on how to use the Smithsonian Learning Lab's search and filtering tools.

Attend a museum education workshop

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Gain practical insights and strategies for integrating museum resources into teaching by attending a specialized workshop.

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Research and identify relevant museum education workshops
Register for and attend the workshop
Actively participate in discussions and activities
Network with other educators

Participate in online discussions

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Engage with fellow educators to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from others' experiences in using museum resources for teaching.

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Join the course discussion forums on the edX platform.
Actively participate in discussions by posting thoughtful questions and responses.
Collaborate with other participants on projects or lesson plan ideas.

Solve practice problems on museum collection analysis

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Enhance your analytical skills and understanding of museum collection management through practical exercises.

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Identify key data points and patterns in museum collection records
Apply statistical techniques to analyze collection trends
Interpret results and draw meaningful conclusions

Design a museum-based learning experience

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Apply your understanding of museum education to create a lesson plan that incorporates museum objects and works of art.

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Select a specific museum object or work of art that aligns with your teaching objectives.
Develop a lesson plan that includes inquiry-based activities and discussion questions that encourage students to engage with the object or artwork.
Create a multimedia presentation or handout that complements your lesson plan.

Develop lesson plans incorporating museum resources

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Foster practical teaching skills by creating innovative lesson plans that effectively integrate museum resources.

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Select relevant museum objects or artworks
Design engaging activities and discussion prompts
Outline clear learning objectives and assessment strategies
Consider diverse student learning styles and needs

Develop a museum-based learning module for your students

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Apply your knowledge and skills to create a tangible resource that enhances student learning through museum engagement.

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Identify a specific learning objective
Select relevant museum objects or artworks
Design interactive activities and assessments
Pilot and evaluate the module with students

Career center

Learners who complete The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. They also work with teachers and students to create learning experiences that are relevant and engaging. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to teach with museum resources. This can help Museum Educators create more effective and engaging learning experiences for visitors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for researching, acquiring, and preserving museum objects and artifacts. They also develop and interpret exhibitions for museum visitors. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to curate a museum collection. This can help Museum Curators make informed decisions about how to build and care for a museum collection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Museum Director

Museum Directors oversee the operation of museums. They are responsible for planning and implementing exhibitions, managing staff, and fundraising. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to manage and operate a museum. This can help Museum Directors make informed decisions about how to best serve their visitors and communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Director

Museum Registrar

Museum Registrars are responsible for managing the museum's collection of objects and artifacts. They track the movement of objects, maintain records, and ensure that objects are properly cared for. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to manage a museum collection. This can help Museum Registrars develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and care for museum objects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Registrar

Art History Teacher

Art History Teachers teach students about the history of art and its various forms. They develop and deliver lesson plans, grade student work, and lead discussions. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to teach with museum resources. This can help Art History Teachers create more effective and engaging learning experiences for their students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art History Teacher

School Curriculum Developer

School Curriculum Developers write and design educational materials, such as textbooks, lesson plans, and online courses. They also collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop and implement educational programs. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to integrate museum objects and works of art into your teaching. This can help Curriculum Developers create more engaging and effective learning experiences for students.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical records and artifacts. They also provide access to these materials for researchers and the public. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums. This can help Archivists learn how to engage the public with historical records and artifacts in new and innovative ways.

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Historian

Historians research, interpret, and write about the past. They use a variety of sources, including museum objects and works of art, to understand and explain human behavior and events. This course may be helpful to those in this career as it provides expertise from educators from multiple Smithsonian museums on how to use museum objects and works of art in their research and writing. This can help Historians produce more accurate and engaging work.

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