Bringing Teachers to the History Museum: A Guide to Facilitating Teacher Professional Development

Bringing Teachers to the History Museum provides best practices and research for planning, implementing, and evaluating teacher professional development at historic sites and museums, addressing incorporating anti-racism and virtual learning into programming. It offers practical tips, insights from multiple disciplines, and real-world examples for goal setting, program design, and evaluation tools.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Bringing Teachers to the History Museum: A Guide to Facilitating Teacher Professional Development is a comprehensive resource that explores best practices and the latest research on planning, implementing, and evaluating teacher professional development at historic sites and museums. Written with museum professionals in mind, the volume offers valuable insights into understanding teachers as a unique audience for these institutions, practical tips for starting or strengthening teacher programs, and valuable perspectives from multiple disciplines, including classroom, museum, and teacher education.

One of the key aspects of the guide is its emphasis on creating inclusive and equitable professional development experiences for teachers. It recognizes that teachers come from diverse backgrounds and have different needs and interests, and it provides strategies for addressing these differences. For example, the guide suggests using a variety of teaching methods, such as hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and virtual tours, to engage teachers and make the museum experience more meaningful. It also emphasizes the importance of providing teachers with opportunities to connect with other educators and share their experiences and ideas.

The guide also provides practical tips for starting or strengthening teacher programs. It offers guidance on developing program goals, identifying target audiences, and selecting appropriate teaching materials. It also discusses the importance of evaluating teacher programs to ensure that they are meeting their intended goals and making a positive impact on student learning.

In addition to its practical tips, the guide also includes insights from multiple disciplines. It draws on research from classroom teachers, museum educators, and teacher education experts to provide a comprehensive understanding of teacher professional development. This includes information on the benefits of teacher professional development, the challenges that teachers face, and the strategies that can be used to address these challenges.

One of the challenges that teachers face is the need to incorporate anti-racism and virtual learning into their teaching practices. The guide provides real-world examples of goal setting, program design, and evaluation tools that can help teachers address these issues. For example, the guide suggests using historical artifacts and primary sources to teach about racism and discrimination, and it provides strategies for using virtual tours and online resources to engage students who may not be able to visit the museum in person.

Another challenge that teachers face is the need to stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in education. The guide provides information on the latest research on teacher professional development, including the impact of teacher training on student learning, the effectiveness of different teaching methods, and the role of technology in education. It also provides resources for teachers to stay connected with other educators and stay informed about the latest developments in the field.

In conclusion, Bringing Teachers to the History Museum: A Guide to Facilitating Teacher Professional Development is a valuable resource for museum professionals who are looking to provide impactful experiences for teachers. It offers insights into understanding teachers as a unique audience for historic sites and museums, practical tips for starting or strengthening teacher programs, and valuable perspectives from multiple disciplines. By incorporating anti-racism and virtual learning into teacher programming, museums can help to ensure that their students receive a high-quality education that is relevant to their lives and the world around them.

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538145463