Perspectives on Object-Centered Learning in Museums / Edition 1

by Scott G. Paris, Leona Schauble

Overview

Originating in a recent NSF conference held at the University of Michigan, this book examines the latest ideas about how children interact with objects and through that interaction acquire new understandings, attitudes, and feelings. Although museum education provides the primary setting within which object-centered learning is explored, the analyses apply to a wide range of learning environments. Despite the demonstrated importance of object-centered learning for both academic and life-long learning, until now there has been little psychological research on the topic. Key features of this outstanding new book include:

*Cross-disciplinary Focus—This is the first book to examine object-centered learning using the perspectives of such diverse fields as science, history, literacy, and art.

*Museum Focus—The explosion of interest in museums of all kinds provides a natural launching pad for conceptual and practical discussions of object-based learning and informal learning environments.

Vignettes—In order to ground the conceptual analyses, each chapter includes vignettes describing people actively engaged with objects in a specific setting.

This volume is appropriate for advanced students and researchers in educational psychology, cognitive psychology, science education, and persons directly involved in museum education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805839272
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/13/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Part I: Studying Learning With Objects in Contexts. L. Dierking, The Role of Context in Children's Learning From Objects and Experiences. S. Rowe, The Role of Objects in Active, Distributed Meaning-Making. S.G. Paris, S.E. Hapgood, Children Learning With Objects in Informal Learning Environments. E.M. Evans, M.S. Mull, D.A. Poling, The Authentic Object? A Child's-Eye View. C.O. Frost, When the Object Is Digital: Properties of Digital Surrogate Objects and Implications for Learning. D.C. Michener, I.J. Schultz, Through the Garden Gate: Objects and Informal Education for Environmental and Cultural Awareness in Arboreta and Botanic Gardens. J.V. Wertsch, Epistemological Issues About Objects. Part II: Discipline-Based Explorations of Objects. B. Piscitelli, K. Weier, Learning With, Through, and About Art: The Role of Social Interactions. R. Bain, K.M. Ellenbogen, Placing Objects Within Disciplinary Perspectives: Examples From History and Science. S.E. Hapgood, A.S. Palincsar, Fostering an Investigatory Stance: Using Text to Mediate Inquiry With Museum Objects. L.J. Rennie, T.P. McClafferty, Objects and Learning: Understanding Young Children's Interaction With Science Exhibits. C.E. van Kraayenoord, S.G. Paris, Reading Objects. L. Schauble, Cloaking Objects in Epistemological Practices. Part III: Conversations About Objects. M. Borun, Object-Based Learning and Family Groups. M.A. Callanan, J.L. Jipson, M.S. Soennichsen, Maps, Globes, and Videos: Parent-Child Conversations About Representational Objects. K.A. Morrissey, Pathways Among Objects and Museum Visitors. G. Leinhardt, K. Crowley, Objects of Learning, Objects of Talk: Changing Minds in Museums. D.B. Beane, M.S. Pope, Leveling the Playing Field Through Object-Based Service Learning. S. Duensing, The Object of Experience.

Editorial Reviews

Object-centered learning in a relatively new field of inquiry for psychologists and educators that weaves together threads from the 19th-century study and exhibition of objects by curators and museum educators, the anthropological examination of objects as evidence of material culture, psychological research into the behavior of museum visitors, and findings by early childhood educators of the importance of hands-on learning and play. Here psychologists and educators examine the psychological dynamics of museum experiences, and the pedagogical principles of object-based learning. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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