Considering that learning at the museums is a comprehensive process, learners do not independently acquire the knowledge and functions of museums, but are influenced by constant interaction with various contexts. Falk & Dierking (2007) described l...
Considering that learning at the museums is a comprehensive process, learners do not independently acquire the knowledge and functions of museums, but are influenced by constant interaction with various contexts. Falk & Dierking (2007) described learning in these museums as ‘Contextual Model of Learning’ and argued that ‘personal context', ‘sociocultural context' and ‘physical context' that affect learning should be considered. However, despite the fact that various museum education programs are developed and operated on the premise of contextual learning in museums, research on contextual learning in prior learning is lacking. Until now, the museum's prior learning has remained at a perfunctory level before the exhibition viewing, and has not reached the level of preparing and planning to visit the museum using the context of individual learners.
Therefore, in this study, researcher wanted to develop and apply museum prior learning program based on Contextual Model of Learning and reveal the learning effects of the program. As a research procedure, first, results were derived by conducting a literature survey on Contextual Model of Learning, museum prior learning, and museum education program development. Second, based on the derived contents, establish design principles for museum prior learning, and develop program by reflecting the detailed context of the Contextual Model of Learning. At this time, it reflected the needs analyzed through a survey of learners and revised the contents through an Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio and applied it to the program. Third, the learning effects of the program are analyzed through evaluation item that reconstructs ‘Generic Learning Outcomes' based on a post-questionnaire, in-depth interview.
The analysis result confirms that museum prior learning program based on Contextual Model of Learning has learning effects in all five evaluation items. Through participation in the program, learners expanded their awareness and understanding of museums and collections, and actively learned. In addition, the participation of the program has shown long-term changes, such as forming interest, positive values, attitudes, and continuous related learning in museums and collections.
The results of this study are meaningful in that it confirms the learning effect of museum prior learning programs developed based on Contextual Model of Learning. It is also meaningful in that it proposed a development direction of museum prior learning, when assuming the ultimate purpose of museum prior learning as meaningful and contextual learning in the museum's actual viewing, Museum prior learning should first identify the prior knowledge required in the main learning of the museum and organize it into learning contents. At this time, it is appropriate to structure prior knowledge to an intermediate degree. In addition, through learner analysis, appropriate difficulty and amount of learning should be provided., and learning materials should be developed differently from materials used for actual viewing in museum. Finally, through museum prior learning, learners should be interested in museums and collections and have a willingness to learn.
Nowadays, museum education is universally conducted in recognition of the need for prior learning before visiting museums. Museum prior learning is now time for qualitative improvement considering the context of learners. This requires various discussions and research on museum prior learning. It is hoped that this study will be used as a research case considering the context of learners in museum prior learning.
key word: museum prior learning, Contextual Model of Learning, museum education program development