On Accessing Museum Resources Using Technology

My blog post this week documents some of my thoughts on an online feature, Collection, available in the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) website . This came about from an experience at Teachers' Lounge, a professional development session for teachers conducted by AIC last Thursday.

The museum teachers' Lounge is a series of sessions conducted by AIC as part of their efforts to engage and equip K12 teachers with strategies and knowhow to use the museum's resources effectively in the classroom. The title for the session on Thursday was 'Accessing Resources at the AIC'. At the session, participants were introduced to the technical capability of the online feature Collection available at AIC website.

Thou I have actually explored briefly, this online feature at Cyber pedagogy class during one of our site investigation lesson, I never really think about how it can be used to support teaching and learning till now...

In my opinion, the online feature could possibly become part of a teachers' 'routine' in preparing and/or conducting lessons that involve the use of museum's collection. 


In the preparation 'routine', I imagine a teacher would first use the online feature to research and generate his/her own art collections of select artworks that are relevant to specific lessons. This would be followed by a recce at the gallery to view the actual select works and to visualize and plan how lessons may be conducted. Other factors such as the space, time and route would have to be considered during the recce.  Finally, the teacher would return to the online site to add notes, reflections and/or other images of works that may be used in class.


In the teaching 'routine',  the online feature is useful as a pre-visit activity to engage students in researching and considering artworks they would like to study in the museum based on a given topic. At the museum, students could be allow time to explore the artworks of their choice as well as engaged in discussion in groups. As a post-visit activity, students could pen down their comments and thoughts online and share it with their peers. If mobile devices are available, it might even be effective for students to document their thoughts in the the device immediately (as an activity during the visit) instead of having to transfer them after the visit.


The above are just two examples of  ways  the museum's existing technology could be used. There are definitely more ways to optimize the feature to enhance teaching and learning.  

But, at this point, I am curious and wonder how the museum, in their initial conceptualization stage, have thought about the function and utilization of this online feature and how these functions evolved after it is implemented. This question arises because I am currently involved in a work with the museum on investigating how distance learning can be formally incorporated into their education programmes to outreach to more audience. As such, I am thinking how features like this could also be useful in helping distance learners design and keep tab of their own learning. 

The Changing Role of the Library in the Digital Age

The visit to the Chicago public library was an eye opener for me as the shift in role of a library is evident through its well thought spaces and the harnessing of technology to engage people in continual learning.

The main function of the library is no longer just to house hardcopy books. It has shifted from being a gatekeeper of information to a hub that facilitates the co-creation of knowledge that spans the physical, conceptual and digital worlds.


The maker Lab is an amazing place where ideas are experimented, explored and actualized.


The Coolest thing about this space is the flexibility of choice to work at your own to deepen your interest area or sign up for classes offered to learn a new field. Independent individuals can seek help from the friendly staff on duty for assistance as well as refer to the handouts that are readily available. Coupled with trendy equipments such as the 3D printer, thought-provoking prints mounted on the wall and displays of the prototypes that inspires ideas and possibilities, this is indeed a place where innovation happens, as its title appropriately suggests.

The Youmedia is another space in the library that defines how learning breaks tradition. I could see that the youths are motivated and engaged in what they are doing at various corners that are designed for different purposes. Its amazing to note that while there are no concrete walls within to divide the space into various functions, there seems to be  'invisible' walls to facilitate learning...the youths are focused on what they have chosen to engaged themselves in the space without being distracted. i.e. performance, reading, gaming are simultaneously happening. 

These are perhaps good models of how classrooms of today should be designed and operates. I envisage every classroom to be a learning lab with specialized corners that encourages curiosity and creativity through independent learning and collaborate sharing so as to develop in students the knowledge and skills to thrive in the 21^st century. Schools designed to house learning spaces that makes learning fun, relevant and a lifestyle!

Art Collections a Click Away

When we talk about art, subject often revolves around artists and artworks. Little is said or known about art collectors. My recent visit to the Chicago Art Expo and a newly made friend who is a gallery owner triggered an interest that led to a little exploration into the realm of art market and art collectors.

Images from EXPO:

And since this blog was originally created as a requisite for one of my course that dwells into technology, most of my post in this blog will have some relevance to technology. One recent article that I was immediately drawn to was one with heading “Art Collections a Click Away”.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/arts/design/art-collections-a-click-away.html?smid=fb-share&_r=2& 

Technology has not only serve as tools and means to for art expressions, its accessibility and convenience seems to have distanced us from first hand-experience of viewing art in galleries, museums. In the current art market and art collectors world, I learnt that art collectors are increasingly skipping the first-hand physical experience of viewing the artwork and buying ‘sight unseen’ through internet images. As shared in the article, it’s just a click away!

For someone with limited and conservative knowledge of how gallery works, it is interesting to note that the online art market scene is a vibrant one where technology plays the key role of facilitating research of art, promotional tool and as bidding mechanism at auction. And there seem to be a rising trend of such online art transactions where works of art are bought without physical viewing. 

I do not dispute technology is both efficient and effective in the commercial world of art, especially works that are of lower value or for new collectors just entering the art market. I am curious what do collectors look out for when they view works online that determine their decision as compared to those bought after onsite viewing. This also sets me wondering how do we attain the engagement and desire of one in looking at original artworks on site when technology offers a quick alternative access.  

Relating this to art in education, I think of the implications of the pipeline of artists and art collectors we are developing for the future. While we constantly strive to stay relevant by harnessing technology to enhance the experiences of our students who are digital natives, I strongly believe we still need to invest time and resources in the school curriculum, to cultivate students appreciation of art through varied experiences, one of which should include authentic experiences at museums or galleries. Seeing reproductions online or via print will not give the same experience onsite as all artworks may appear the same; similar texture; challenging to ascertain the actual size and scale. Seeing works of art in actuality bring students into the work of art’s presence i.e. seeing the enormity of the work of art gives the ‘wow’ moment, generate intellectual meaning as well as deepening emotional responses to the work of art.