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Candra Flanagan, Abby Pfisterer, Dr. Orlando Serrano, Ashleigh D. Coren, Briana Zavadil White, Elizabeth Dale-Deines, Phoebe Hillemann, Tess Porter, Dr. Philippa Rappoport, Kirsten McNally, Cecilia Vidal, Jessie Aucoin, Maureen Leary, and Anna Fogerson Hindley

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.

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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

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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

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

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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'
Gain theoretical foundations and best practices in museum education through a comprehensive text.
Show steps
  • 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
Reinforce your foundational mathematical knowledge to better understand complex concepts in the course.
Browse courses on Math
Show steps
  • Review basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
  • Practice solving algebraic equations
  • Explore fundamental calculus concepts
Review museum concepts
Refresh your understanding of basic museum concepts to strengthen your understanding of museum education.
Browse courses on Museum Studies
Show steps
  • 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
Keep track of the resources and materials you gather throughout the course to enhance your teaching and future reference.
Show steps
  • 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
Enhance your understanding of how to use digital tools to enhance student engagement with museum resources.
Show steps
  • 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
Connect with other educators to exchange ideas, support, and enhance your understanding of the course material.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group
  • Meet regularly to discuss course content
  • Collaborate on assignments and projects
Explore the Smithsonian Learning Lab
Become familiar with the Smithsonian Learning Lab's features and resources to enhance your teaching with museum objects.
Show steps
  • 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
Gain practical insights and strategies for integrating museum resources into teaching by attending a specialized workshop.
Show steps
  • 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
Engage with fellow educators to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from others' experiences in using museum resources for teaching.
Show steps
  • 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
Enhance your analytical skills and understanding of museum collection management through practical exercises.
Show steps
  • 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
Apply your understanding of museum education to create a lesson plan that incorporates museum objects and works of art.
Show steps
  • 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
Foster practical teaching skills by creating innovative lesson plans that effectively integrate museum resources.
Show steps
  • 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
Apply your knowledge and skills to create a tangible resource that enhances student learning through museum engagement.
Show steps
  • 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell.
Explores the role of museums in perpetuating or challenging social inequalities. It provides a critical perspective on the ways in which museums have been used to promote certain narratives and exclude others.
Examines the potential of museums to promote social change. It argues that museums can play a vital role in educating the public about important issues and inspiring them to take action.
Provides a history of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum and research complex. It offers insights into the institution's mission, collections, and educational programs.
Provides guidance on how to use objects in the classroom. It includes tips on how to select, analyze, and interpret objects, as well as how to create engaging learning activities for students.
Explores the use of digital technologies in museums. It covers topics such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and social media.
Collection of essays that explore the use of the web in museums. It covers topics such as online exhibitions, digital collections, and social media.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of museum studies. It covers topics such as the history of museums, museum theory, and museum practice.
Provides a global perspective on the field of museum studies. It includes essays from museum professionals from around the world.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the management and marketing of museums. It covers topics such as strategic planning, financial management, and marketing communications.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of museum education. It covers topics such as learning theory, curriculum development, and evaluation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of visitor studies. It covers topics such as research methods, data analysis, and interpretation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the management of museum collections. It covers topics such as acquisition, conservation, and storage.

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