The importance of natural exhibits in students' learning: a case study in attitudes to the use of school and museum collections

Thesis

This work is a case study which builds on similar research previously carried out at the same school. It focuses on the use of real objects to enhance student learning within the formal school curriculum. A number of teaching activities are described which draw on the literature concerning informal learning in museums, where constructivist teaching with the help of individual objects and collections is commonplace. These activities form the basis of research into the attitudes of students and staff concerning the use of objects and displays in school teaching. The main points of interest are: the perceptions of pupils at key stages three and four regarding the frequency with which displays are used, their learning value and their enjoyment value; teacher perceptions regarding the use of displays; and the practicality of using objects as everyday teaching tools. As is common in case studies, a variety of research instruments were used and the results analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate. The research reveals that natural exhibits are indeed seen by both teachers and pupils to contribute informally to student learning and motivation, although there is a tension between this and the formal school curriculum, which tends to be content-driven due to pressures of the testing regime. This results in pupils perceiving displays to be infrequently used and, therefore, not fulfilling their potential as learning tools. Possible ways of overcoming this problem are discussed and a number of other practical issues raised during the course of this study are also addressed.

Authors: Noone, M

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-pre2ewjvj
• Type of award: MSc taught course
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English