ITE: Museum Showcase at University of Derby
This unique event was held in partnership between Museums, Libraries and Archives East Midlands (MLA East Midlands) and the Initial Teacher Education Department at University of Derby. It involved trainee teachers, teachers from partnership schools, and colleagues from museum and heritage sites in the East Midlands.
What did we do?
"Everyone I spoke to was very interested to learn what we have to offer at the museum and they also provided a few thought provoking ideas, which I took back to my colleagues at the museum."
- Howard Heeley
Newark Air Museum
Presentations and workshops were provided by MLA East Midlands and Museum Services staff to extend and enrich the students’ curriculum, including interactive sessions on visual literacy, using objects, ICT and role play, alongside sessions promoting the social, emotional and cultural aspects of learning.
Opportunity was also provided for all the trainees to visit stands exhibiting the educational services of individual museums. This allowed for personalised discussion with enthusiastic museum representatives. Also displayed in the atrium was a collection of photographs of previous work carried out in the Derby City Museums by B.Ed and P.G.C.E trainees and an assortment of teacher resource packs produced by the B.Ed Year 1 trainees.
What were the outcomes?
"‘Inspiring’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘Really useful’, and ‘A fantastic opportunity’ were just a few of the words used by trainees to describe this event - the first of its kind. One trainee stated that the event enabled students to see ‘the brilliance of museums.’"
Trainee Teachers gained an increased awareness of how museums can enrich the learning experiences of children, and increased confidence in using museums.
Museums and heritage staff gained an opportunity to showcase their services, and learn more about the needs of trainee teachers. They agreed that the learning from the day had been a ‘two-way process’.
Facts and figures
Participation
240 PGCE and B.Ed trainee teachers attended the event.
Partner organisations
24 different museum and heritage sites participated, as well as teachers from partnership schools. The day concluded with a presentation by staff and children from Long Row Primary School in Belper and Belper North Mill about their experiences of learning together.
Funding
The event was supported by MLA East Midlands.
What can you do?
If you would like to learn from this project to create similar opportunities please contact
Sharon Bell, University of Derby.
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