Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1981

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major Professor

John Robertson

Committee Members

Per Johansen

Abstract

By definition a museum must preserve, collect and display. The educational function of a museum was first emphasized in the United States in the 1930's and resulted in government support. The purpose of this study was to describe the types of organized museum educational programs in the state of Tennessee. The findings can serve as a guide for teachers as well as provide a community resource guide to the educational opportunities in museums in the state.

The initial data search involved information obtained from The 1980 Official Museum Directory about the activities in the museums in Tennessee. The 67 museums, sponsoring activities other than exhibition and/or self-guided tours, became the initial population of the study. A chart was made to illustrate which museums sponsored these activities: guided tours, lectures, "formally organized educational programs," films, docent programs, festivals, clubs/workshops, school loan service, TV programs, concerts. The majority of museums had guided tours and lectures. Only 19% offered docent training while 78% had guided tours. The occurrence of "formally organized educational programs" was significant. The museums with this kind of activity became a subgroup of the initial population.

Questionnaires were used to secure specific data, pertaining to organized educational programs, from the subgroup. The population of the subgroup was 24 museums. Eighty-three percent of the subgroup responded to the questionnaire. A table was designed to illustrate the totals and percentages of museums and programs categorized according to program focus, audience, evaluation, educators, funding and continuation. Generalizations and specifics were given for each category. Conclusions were made based on the findings of the initial population and the subgroup.

The type of museum indicated the educational focus of the programs offered, with historical culture as the highest priority. The main educational function of the museums in the state is to teach school children about the museums' collection. Very few programs were designed for the handicapped and no single program was designed for the elderly. Museum staff and volunteers teach most programs. Most programs were evaluated by the number of participants.

The author would like to recommend that museum educators design more programs to meet the needs of special audiences such as the handicapped and the elderly. The education of volunteers, who teach programs, needs more emphasis. Finally, the author suggests a need for a Teacher's Resource Guide to the Educational Programs in the Museums in Tennessee. A resource guide could foster a new relationship between the museums and schools. The schools in the state facing budget cutbacks should incorporate museums into their learning environment. Both museums and schools would benefit from this bond.

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