94109 - Digital Environments, Museums and Heritage Education

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the contemporary debate related to the educational function of museums and heritage pedagogy with particular reference to national and international guidelines; - knows the main elements of museum and heritage didactics in relation to different fields of social and cultural education; - is able to analyze the main characteristics of heritage contexts in relation to different users/audiences in order to guide the design of educational pathways; - is able to identify basic skills related to digital environments in heritage and museum education contexts; - is able to use digital tools and environments to support physical museum spaces and the pathways offered therein; - knows the main strategies for mediating heritage content and making it usable for audiences; - identify the elements for a design and implementation of exhibition layouts in real and virtual spaces; - is able to independently carry out research to learn about different Italian, European and non-European museum institutions and analyze their best practices.

Course contents

The course aims to explore the main aspects related to the evolution of the museum from its origins to contemporary times, focusing on the educational role of the museum, the professionalism of the museum educator, and the design of educational interventions aimed at different types of audiences in real and digital contexts.

In this regard, the following topics will be explored:

• the history of the museum;
• the museum audiences (audience studies);
• the theories of learning in museum settings;
• the educational-communication strategies and educational models for heritage mediation;
• museums and territory: participatory spaces for audience engagement;
• museums and digital environments (digital platforms, virtual and augmented reality, social networks, apps);
• the design of educational pathways in real and digital environments;
• the professionalism of the museum educator.

Readings/Bibliography

Required texts:

• Cataldo L., Paraventi M., Il museo oggi. Modelli museologici e museografici nell'era della digital transformation, Hoepli, Milano, 2023 (Seconda edizione), parts I, II, IV.
  

• Panciroli C., Le professionalità educative tra scuola e musei: esperienze e metodi nell'arte, Guerini, Milano 2016 (chapters. 3,4,6 and appendix 3).
• Russo V., Il museo tra scuola e lavoro. Giovani, alleanze educative e nuove progettualità, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2022 (capp. 2, 3 e 4).

One text of your choice from the following:

• Macauda, A., Arte e innovazione tecnologica per una didattica immersiva, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2018.
  
• Mandarano N., ll digitale per i musei. Comunicazione, fruizione, valorizzazione, Carocci, Roma, 2024.

Additional learning materials, case studies and further reading resources will be made available through the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with active teaching methods designed to foster student participation and collaborative learning.

Activities include guided discussions in both large and small groups, case study analysis, practical exercises, visits to physical and virtual museums, and the design of educational pathways and digital exhibitions through collaborative online environments.

Assessment methods

The course is assessed through a written examination consisting of multiple-choice and open-ended questions based on the required course readings.

Students will have 90 minutes to complete the written examination.

The highest possible mark is 30 cum laude, awarded for completely correct and comprehensive answers.

A minimum mark of 18/30 is required to pass the examination.

During the examination, the use of supporting materials, including textbooks, notes, and electronic devices, is not permitted.

Students must register through AlmaEsami in order to take the examination.

Students who do not pass the examination may retake it at the next available exam session without skipping an exam call.

Assessment will take into account the accuracy and completeness of the knowledge acquired, the ability to critically analyse the topics covered during the course and the proposed case studies, the appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology, and the ability to establish connections between the different topics addressed during the course.

Teaching tools

• Further reading materials, case studies, and lecture slides.
• Multimedia resources (images and documentary videos).
• The Virtuale platform, Microsoft Teams, and the collaborative environment within the MOdE – Museum of Education, with particular reference to the White Rooms.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The Service will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss, where necessary, any adjustments to the course syllabus and assessment methods, while ensuring that the intended learning outcomes of the course are maintained.

Office hours

See the website of Veronica Russo