Reflections: Museum Experience—Science Exhibit

Wow! This was powerful. I could totally relate to the whole exhibit. The experience was enjoyable and educational from the beginning to the end. It was a good example of object- based learning but what put it over the top was how the creator of the exhibit connected the exhibit objects to learning. His presentation helped the observer to see how it all relates.

What I also enjoyed about this presentation was that the narrator connected to his audience. He knew that we were teachers and as he walked us through this exhibit he brought to life the related philosophies that we have studied and talked about, particularly constructivism. His rational for the exhibit was to have the observer learn from what they were viewing and pose questions that related to what they were seeing and experiencing. He explained this as it connects to constructivism in that the student or the observer engages in reasoning through this type of setting. As the student observes and learns pieces of information that support a particular concept, curiosity is peaked and students begin to ask questions. These questions hopefully entice the student to want to learn more about the topic. I am beginning to see the connection. Do I have this right? My take on this is that object-based learning is a form of inquiry, which is a constructivist approach to learning.

I also learned from this presentation that it is possible to take an object(s) and use it to teach a concept. In my discipline, the brain and central nervous system could be used to illustrate how the brain is the central control of all the body systems and therefore all body functions. If the brain ceases to function, so does the body. Put in that context, a context that helps students understand the function, they can see big picture, how it all relates together.

While object-based learning may not work or be appropriate for every facet within the curriculum of each discipline, it is a great way to engage students and to introduce them to material within the context of the curriculum. It is a good entry point and one that certainly can turn students on to learning.