ABSTRACT

Transforming Practice, a comprehensive collection of articles from Museum Education Roundtable's Journal of Museum Education, presents a rich and exemplary selection of writing in one accessible resource. Each of the book's four sections includes an introductory essay; "sparks" excerpted from each article that alone might ignite debate; "reflections" by some of the authors looking back on their work; and discussion questions. Four case studies in the final section highlight the fascinating interplay among change, response, and understanding. Transforming Practice is a professional development tool--a resource for museum training programs, small museums, staffs, practitioner groups, and friends to inspire conversation, critique, debate, and your own writing. As Stephen E. Weil writes in his foreword, this book reveals "the richness of ideas, the dedication to excellence, and the extraordinary depth and variety of talents to be found among this generation of museum educators." Sponsored by the Museum Education Roundtable.This title is sponsored by The Museum Education Roundtable. The Museum Education Roundtable (MER) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, dedicated to enriching and promoting the field of Museum Education. Through publications, programs, and communication networks, MER fosters professionalism, encourages leadership, scholarship, and research in museum-based learning, and advocates the inclusion and application of museum-based learning in the general education arena. For more information on MER and its activities, please contact via email at info@mer-online.com, or on the web at www.mer-online.org. Members receive the Journal of Museum Education as a benefit of membership. Write to MER at PO Box 15727, Washington, DC 20003.

part 1|32 pages

Perspectives on Change

part 2|131 pages

Responses in Practice

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

Addressing External Change with an Eye to Internal Transformation: Strategy and Practice

part |64 pages

Strategies

part |60 pages

Practice

chapter |7 pages

The Eye of the Beholder

part 3|116 pages

Understanding: Theory, Research, and Evaluation

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

Paradigms Shifted: Comprehending the Meaning from without

part |69 pages

Theory

chapter |4 pages

Constructing Informed Practice

chapter |6 pages

The Personal Past in Public Space

part 4|44 pages

Linkages: Building Knowledge

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

Transforming Practice through Change, Response, and Understanding

chapter |10 pages

Borders and Encounters

chapter |9 pages

Opening Up the Exploratorium