Description

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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.

About the Author

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Joanne S. Hirsch is former chair and president of Museum Education Roundtable and project director of Transforming Practice. She taught as adjunct assistant professor in the Museum Education Program at the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Her research is in the use of concept maps to document visitor understanding.Lois H. Silverman is a professor in the Department of Recreation and Park Administration at Indiana University, Bloomington. She has been an editorial adviser to the Journal of Museum Education and is associate editor of the Journal of Interpretation Research. Her current focus is on exploring the museum's potential in meeting human needs.