Curator's Curiosities: Active Learning as Interpretive Pedagogy. (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murphy, Michael P. A.; Rose, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Journal of museum education. Volume 44:Number 1(2019:Spring)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Fort Henry -- active learning -- object-based learning -- interpretive pedagogy -- historical interpretation; Museums -- Educational aspects -- Periodicals; 069.15
• DOI: 10.1080/10598650.2018.1495437
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-8650

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Curator's Curiosities program was launched at Fort Henry National Historic Site in the summer of 2017 as an object-based interpretive program. In addition to learning the history of an artifact from the collection, participants were taught how to properly handle and catalogue the artifact, under the supervision of trained museum staff. This program marked an innovation in the interpretive programming at Fort Henry, as it drew attention to the work that goes on behind-the-scenes to support the site. As well, this program offers an example of active learning as an interpretive pedagogy. This article offers a brief history of interpretation at Fort Henry and a review of the Curator's Curiosities program, before detailing how object-based active learning pedagogy can be a benefit for historic and cultural sites.