Measuring Student Knowledge and Attitudes in a Gallery, Museum, and Archives Program: Results and Tensions

• In Event: Roundtable Session 48
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Learning Across the Arts: Creativity in Museum, Service-Learning, and College Contexts

Abstract

This paper explores the development, results, and tensions encountered in creating a measurement instrument in the second phase of a larger study of a week-long curriculum-based interdisciplinary program for school children and youth in a community gallery, museum, and archives complex. Phase One used mixed methods and demonstrated that the program promoted observation and reflection. The learning involved both cognitive and affective components. The findings showed a powerful impact on teacher practice. To provide numerical data on student achievement, in Phase Two pre and post surveys were used to assess the impact of the program on student knowledge and attitudes of core curricular areas and jurisdiction program goals. At the time of writing the results of Phase Two are preliminary.

Authors

• J R Anderson, Memorial University

• Heather Skye McLeod, Memorial University