Good Practice Examples of Danish museum education aimed at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools

2 H e r i ta g e A gency of 5 Introduction 7 Preface 8 Naturama 10 The Danish Museum of Media 12 The Old Town 14 Thorvaldsens Museum 16 ARKEN Museum of Modern Art 18 The Museum of 20 Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum 22 Museum of Electricity 24 The Museum of South West Zealand / Trelleborg Viking Fortress 26 The Museum of Art Køge Sketch Collection 28 The Danish Museum of Art & Design 31 www.museumsundervisning.dk 33 www. e-museum.dk The teaching activities at Danish museums are cross-disciplinary and problem-orientated and encompass a great variety of learning styles, characterised by a high academic level and social involvement. Introduction

This publication shows examples of Danish museums' educational offers for primary through In the course of the to upper secondary schools and of how the museums collaborate with educational institutions. teaching, pupils are By means of 11 examples from museums of cultural history, art and natural history across the activated as they collect country, the Heritage Agency of Denmark wishes to focus attention on the museums’ learning their own information potential. for further work. Naturama, 2008 The museums’ areas of responsibility and research within cultural and natural heritage corre- spond to the primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools’ core areas. The teaching activities at the museums are cross-disciplinary and problem-orientated and encompass a great variety of learning styles, characterised by a high academic level and social involvement. There- fore, the museums constitute knowledge centres and alternative learning spaces, which can sup- plement teaching in the primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools.

The publication is published along with a report on the results of the Heritage Agency’s mapping of teaching activities at national and government-approved museums. The mapping is part of the implementation of the Danish Ministry of Culture’s Dissemination Plan for the period 2007-2011. On the basis of the mapping, the Heritage Agency is launching a series of initiatives, including the establishment of a national network for museum education. The initiatives are to contribute to the quality and development of teaching activities at the museums and ensure collaboration with the education sector.

It is the Heritage Agency’s objective that museum education at national and government- approved museums should constitute a significant contribution to all children and young people’s primary through upper secondary education.

introduction 5 The report emphasises the significance of increased collaboration between the schools and the ‘informal learning environments’. per b. christensen Preface

Over the last couple of years, we have worked with children and young people as a special area The past becomes of focus in every aspect of the work of the municipalities. Not least within the school and culture tangible to the pupils area. In this context, it is important that children and young people encounter culture through when they are allowed cultural experiences in day-care, at school and in schools of culture. to step into the role of people who are I am therefore very satisfied with the central initiative concerning museum dissemination: The characteristic of a Danish Ministry of Culture’s report on museum dissemination from 2006. There is no doubt specific period of time. that this presents new challenges to the museums. The important issue is that the museums The Historical Museum in this complex knowledge and information society develop dissemination of the originality and of Morsland, 2007 authenticity of our cultural heritage with updated and research-based knowledge on the specific museum-based dissemination forms. The report emphasises the significance of increased col- laboration between the schools and the ’informal learning environments’. In this connection, I would like to encourage the museums, schools and educational institutions to make local agree- ments to collaborate on the dissemination of our cultural heritage.

This development will not happen automatically; it will require a great effort from those who are responsible for dissemination at the museums. The Heritage Agency’s initiative, therefore, comes at the right time and in the right place and is a significant contribution to the support and promotion of the museums’ essential role as learning institutions.

Per B. Christensen Director for Children and Culture in Naestved Municipality Chairman of the Association of Children and Culture Executives

preface 7 Naturama is obligated via the Museum Act to work for the preservation of Danish natural heritage.

Naturama

Naturama, Teaching Users Dronningemaen 30, The educational offer ‘Evolution’ is an introduction 240 primary/lower secondary school classes, 5700 Svendborg, to the theory of evolution. The course includes 1-5 upper secondary classes and 1-5 vocational Region Southern presentations by the instructor, group work at training classes annually receive teaching. Denmark. the exhibition using PDAs as an educational 60,000 visitors tool, presentations by the pupils and debate. The Partners and development annually. museum’s architecture, exhibition scenography The museum is currently conducting a scien- www.naturama.dk and lighting are all utilised as learning tools in tific development project for the lower secondary the teaching in combination with specimens. The school with the support of the Heritage Agency objective of the teaching is to combine specialist and the Ministry of Education. The purpose of the scientific knowledge with aesthetic experience. project is to generate interest in the scientific edu- cation programmes. The project is a part of the Teaching resources efforts to strengthen the museum’s position as a Teaching is directed at the subjects of social knowledge centre and to further systematic knowl- science, biology and nature/technology. The edge sharing with other natural history museums. museum has elaborated printed teaching mate- Pupils work with PDAs rial. Teaching is handled by the person respon- at the exhibition. sible for teaching, who holds an MSc, and a staff The teaching is a good supplement. The pupils relate Naturama, 2008 of 10 qualified teachers along with four univer- to the subject academically when they visit the sity students with relevant academic backgrounds museum. I sense that the course that runs continu- (biology students and student teachers). The ally over a number of years has an impact on their teaching is evaluated systematically and focuses interest in biology. The pupils who are otherwise a bit on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfac- withdrawn and quiet blossom and speak when they tion. are here.

hanne stenstrup, teacher of biology

8 naturama When we see what the animals actually look like, it is easier to understand what the teacher is saying. sabine, 8th year, and ida, 9th year

9 The Danish Museum of Media is obligated via the Museum Act to shed light on conditions and changes in the graphic industry, the printed media and the electronic media.

The Danish Museum of Media

The Danish Museum Teaching Users of Media, The course ‘TV news’ takes place in the muse- 21-50 primary/lower secondary school classes, Brandts Torv 1, um’s TV studio, which forms part of the exhibi- 11-20 upper secondary classes and 1-5 vocational 5000 Odense C, tion area. The pupils choose roles as journalists, training classes annually receive teaching, as do Region Southern newsreaders, camera crew etc. They then work groups of children and young people with special Denmark. with the production of a topical news broadcast needs etc 34,000 visitors by gathering news and pictorial material via the annually. Internet. Teaching focuses on importance, news Partners and development www.mediemuseum.dk. value, identification, conflict and copyright as well The museum collaborates with the Art Hall at as ethical and aesthetic issues related to the com- Brandt’s and the Museum of Photo Art in a joint position of a news broadcast. The programme is teaching and dissemination centre at Brandt’s recorded and published on the museum’s web- Textile Mill with a focus on the relationship site. The teaching is aimed at giving the pupils between children, young people and teaching. tools for relating critically to printed and elec- The museum participates in the DREAM tronic media. project, which is supported by the Danish Council for Strategic Research. In connection with the sub- The day’s news broad- Teaching resources project Learning 2.0: Digital Literacies and Innova- cast is recorded and The teaching supplements the subjects of Danish, tion, the museum employs a PhD in digital com- produced in the history and media studies. The museum has elab- petences and creative learning processes. museum’s TV studio. orated printed teaching material. Teaching is han- The Danish Museum dled by the person responsible for teaching along of Media, 2008 with four teachers (TV producer, MA, teacher, BA, I think it is worth recommending, because it is easier leadership training). Furthermore, a number of to learn when you complete a practical assignment. volunteers (retired professionals) are attached laura, 8th year to the museum’s live workshops. The teaching is evaluated systematically and focuses on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfaction.

10 the danish museum of media It is better to work with the project here at the museum than at school, because the museum has the tools that we need. johanne, 8th year It is the museum’s objective to document and shed light on the history of Danish market towns, and trade, ways of life and architecture in particular.

The Old Town

The Old Town, Teaching Users Viborgvej 2, The cross-disciplinary educational offer ‘A day as 250 primary/lower secondary school classes, 8000 Aarhus C, a child in a market town in 1864’ is an introduc- 21-50 upper secondary classes and 6-10 vocational Central Denmark tion to life in the 19th century through role-play. training classes annually receive teaching. In addi- Region. The focus is on speech, manners, food, school, tion, day-care and after-school institutions, reme- 388,000 visitors and the differences between girls’ work and boys’ dial classes, language schools etc. annually. work. The pupils meet different people who are www.dengamleby.dk typical of the period, e.g. the farm hand, the maid Partners and development and the school teacher. As they talk about life in The Department for Children and Youth, Aarhus the market town on the basis of their social posi- Municipality, the School-Church Collaboration, tions, the teaching gains a new perspective as his- Aarhus College of Education and the Aarhus tory is unfolded. The purpose of the teaching is to School of Architecture. The museum works on the topicalise the past to the individual pupil through development of the function of role-play, learning his or her own action. styles and learning potentials. In May 2008, the museum advertised a position for a PhD in Dram- Teaching resources atised museum dissemination and living history in Teaching is based on Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- collaboration with Aarhus University with the sup- role-play, and through tory, social studies, maths, nature/technology, port of the Heritage Agency. the pupils’ own actions, visual arts, music and drama. The museum has history comes alive. elaborated printed teaching material. Teaching is The Old Town, 2008 handled by the person responsible for teaching The pupils are better able to imagine history when (MA in dramaturgy and history), along with a PhD they can see things and try them out first-hand. One in history, actors, a primary school teacher with a of the most important aspects is that they sense that diploma degree and craftsmen. An additional 20 history is not just a good story, but our very real past. volunteers and 4-7 freelancers are attached to the lonny olsen, form teacher teaching activities. The teaching is evaluated sys- tematically and focuses on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfaction with the offers.

12 the old town It is great fun because we can participate and try things ourselves. amalie, 5th year Thorvaldsens Museum’s area of responsibility is Bertel Thorvaldsen’s life’s work and collections.

Thorvaldsens Museum

Thorvaldsens Teaching ondary school, and 1-5 teams from vocational Museum, The workshop ‘The Digital Workshop’ is an intro- training colleges annually receive teaching. Bertel Thorvaldsens duction to the museum’s dissemination work. Plads 2, The course includes presentations at the exhibi- Partners and development 1213 Copenhagen K, tion, independent studies, group work, and finally, The virtual museum, the internet communication the Capital Region an exhibition in the virtual museum Tilbygningen tool Tilbygningen (The Annexe), has been devel- of Denmark. (The Annexe). During the course, the pupils elab- oped with the support of Culture Net Denmark. 62,000 visitors. orate their own dissemination products inspired The museum is currently conducting a research www.thorvaldsens- by Bertel Thorvaldsen’s art. The purpose of the project, When young people are allowed to speak museum.dk teaching is to combine the museum’s profes- about the pupils’ use of the museum experi- sional competence and contemporary art’s work ence outside the museum space. The project methods with the pupils’ own knowledge and is supported by the Heritage Agency’s dissem- experiences. ination pools. The museum collaborates with School Service Copenhagen, primary/lower sec- Teaching resources ondary schools, upper secondary schools, voca- Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- tional colleges, the Danish School of Education, The pupils find tory, maths, visual arts and drama. The museum Odense City Museums, The Vejen Art Museum, inspiration for their own has elaborated printed teaching material. Teaching the National Gallery of Denmark, the Ny dissemination product is handled by the person responsible for teaching Glyptotek, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the in the collection. and four employees (graduates of college of edu- Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and Culture Thorvaldsens Museum, cation and academy of arts), along with four stu- Net Denmark. 2008 dents with a relevant academic background (art history, education, teacher training and communi- When my own talents are not enough, I go looking cation). The teaching is evaluated by test classes for alternatives such as this. This course is very before implementation of new offers. focused on ideas. We use it as a basis for talking about how to find inspiration, if for instance you get Users stuck in the middle of a Danish assignment. 326 classes, primarily from the primary/lower sec- lars fabricius, teacher of danish

14 thorvaldsens museum It is great fun to make the work of art, and you get inspired by the collection and the works of art. oskar, 6th year ARKEN shows Danish, Nordic and international pictorial art from 1945 onwards and places it in a wide, art history context.

Arken Museum of Modern Art

ARKEN Museum of Teaching Users Modern Art, The workshop ‘SPEAK UP! – An ARKcast workshop 750 primary/lower secondary school classes, 100 Skovvej 100, for young people’ aims at developing art apprecia- upper secondary classes and 21-50 vocational 2635 Ishøj, tion through action. The course consists of three training classes annually receive teaching. the Capital Region elements: works analysis, knowledge collection of Denmark. and production of a podcast. The course includes Collaboration and development 116,000 visitors discussion of exhibition and works analysis, inde- The museum collaborates with School Service annually. pendent work with analysis and production of sto- Copenhagen, Apple Education, primary through www.arken.dk ryboards. The pupils use an editing program for upper secondary schools, vocational training col- recording the analysis and editing the production. leges, colleges of education, the University of Finally, it is podcast via ARKEN’s website. The Copenhagen, public institutions and companies. purpose of the teaching is that the pupils acquire Additionally, the Danish Museum of Media, the an appreciation of art and reflect on a specific Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Gal- period of time. lery of Denmark, the Danish Museum of Art & Design and Nikolaj, Copenhagen Contemporary Teaching resources Art Center. The teaching focuses on Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- the pupils’ immediate tory, social studies, media studies, philosophy, curiosity and contact maths, visual arts and music. The museum has The pupils are provoked. Pictures are their media, to the collection as the elaborated printed teaching material. Teaching and often they are a lot sharper than the rest of us in basis for a works is handled by three permanent academic profes- their analyses. Here, they gain some tools for solving analysis. sionals, one coordinator (MA in modern culture problems in a different way to the conventional ARKEN Museum of and art history, the Danish School of Education, methods. Sometimes the straight road is not the Modern Art, 2008 academy of arts and teacher training) and 15 best. The course is aimed at developing their skills teachers with relevant professional backgrounds as regards the extended text concept in Danish. The (MA students). The teaching is evaluated system- museums are a necessary supplement, because they atically and focuses on the pupils’ learning and allow time for working with images. the teachers’ satisfaction. allan lund, teacher of danish

16 arken museum of modern art It is more interesting to look at the pictures when we are allowed to express our own opinion. kirstine, mette and eline, 8th year It is the purpose of the to create, preserve and disseminate culture-historical insight about the social and physical development of the capital under the inner and outer effects of changing periods of time from the 12th century to modern times. The Museum of Copenhagen

The Museum of Teaching Users Copenhagen, The educational offer ‘Life and death – hello and 285 classes, primarily from primary/lower sec- 59, goodbye in a diverse Copenhagen’ is an introduction ondary schools, annually receive teaching. 1620 Copenhagen V, to the fundamental human conditions, life and the Capital Region death. The course includes presentations, dia- Partners and development of Denmark. logue and discussion and makes use of sensory School Service Copenhagen, primary/lower sec- 43,000 visitors impressions from the exhibition as an educational ondary schools, upper secondary schools, annually. tool. The purpose of the teaching is to combine Diesel House, the Workers’ Museum, Louisiana www.bymuseum.dk various learning styles with the museum’s subject Museum of Modern Art, the Danish Museum of matter. The museum works critically with its sur- Art & Design, Golden Days and cultural institu- roundings with the objective of participating in the tions other than museums. development of society. Therefore, the museum is both a learning space and a social space that makes use of the pupils’ own experience. In this way, the museum bridges the gap between art his- tory and the individual’s life. Specific objects related to the transition Teaching resources between life and death Teaching is aimed at the subjects of history, social form the basis of studies, RE, biology, PE and nature/technology. The the teaching. museum has elaborated printed teaching material. The Museum of Teaching is handled by the person responsible for Copenhagen, 2008 teaching (MA in ethnology and religious studies) along with 17 students with relevant academic backgrounds (ethnology, history, Danish and com- munication). The teaching is evaluated systemat- ically and focuses on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfaction with the offers.

18 the museum of copenhagen

It is funny and exciting, because we make something ourselves. In the classroom, often you just sit still and listen. viktoria, 6th year The museum is an eco museum consisting of 11 different visiting sites.

Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum

Ringkøbing-Skjern Training Partners and development Museum, The educational offer ‘The Viking Age in Western Ringkøbing-Skjern Museum has established a Bundsbækvej 25, Jutland, ca. 800-1000 AD’ is a cross-disciplinary knowledge centre for cultural heritage education, 6900 Skjern, course based on the re-established Bork Viking which is to serve as a platform for the elabora- Central Denmark Harbour. Teaching includes role-play and pres- tion of new models and strategies for teaching Region. entations with demonstrations of copies of local of cultural heritage. As a prerequisite for this, the 117,000 visitors finds such as long houses, pit houses, smithy, museum has mapped the dissemination situa- annually. market place, a heathen cult place etc. Further- tion at the museums in Central and Western Jut- www.riskmus.dk more, pupils work in workshops with e.g. cooking land. Furthermore, a position has been advertised and tool making. The purpose of the teaching is to for a PhD in cultural heritage education, Museums, topicalise history to the individual pupil through historical workshops and cultural environments as their own action. learning spaces. The financial means have been secured from the Cultural Agreement between Teaching resources the municipalities of Central and Western Jutland Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, history, and the Ministry of Culture, a grant from the Her- social studies, RE, biology and nature/technology. itage Agency’s Dissemination Pool 3 for research, History comes alive The museum has elaborated printed teaching mate- as well as National Lottery funds financed by the to the pupils through rial. Teaching is handled by the person responsible Danish Outdoor Council in collaboration with the role-play. for teaching, a maritime communicator, educators, Danish School of Education. In addition, collab- Ringkøbing-Skjern a forestry and landscape engineer and a teacher/ oration with the local education authorities, the Museum, 2008 nature guide. The teaching is evaluated systemat- Historical Workshops, the Outdoor Schools Net- ically and focuses on the pupils’ learning and the work, Health Centre West etc. teachers’ satisfaction with the offers.

Users 100 primary/lower secondary school classes, 1-5 upper secondary classes and 6-10 vocational training classes annually receive teaching.

20 ringkøbing-skjern museum

It’s great to dress up – it helps me understand what it was like in the old days. Or, that is, in the Viking age. frederik, 5th year

The museum is a very positive player and sparring partner for all schools in the municipality and makes facilities and personnel available when required by the schools (...). The conclusion is that collaboration is excellent and continuously being developed as opportunities arise. preben hørsted, head of teaching ringkøbing-skjern museum In keeping with the Museum Act, the Museum of Electricity collects objects that can shed light on Denmark’s production, distribution and consumption of electricity as energy, lighting, heat and power/ engines. Museum of Electricity

Museum of Electricity, Teaching Users Bjerringbrovej 44, The cross-disciplinary course ‘Energy day at the 350 primary/lower secondary school classes, 11-20 8850 Bjerringbro, Museum of Electricity’ is an introduction about upper secondary classes and 6-10 vocational Central Denmark Denmark’s energy supply in the past, present and training classes annually receive teaching. Region. future. The course includes dramatised presenta- 45,000 visitors tions about the historical development, practical Partners and development annually. experiments and academic dialogue. The purpose Viborg Municipality, Silkeborg College of Education, www.elmuseet.dk of the teaching is to discuss the development Aqua, CAND (Centre of Applied Didactics) and in society, democracy and sustainability in a sci- VIA University College. entific context and through this make the pupils aware of their responsibility as consumers and cit- izens. We use it as an introduction to a subject about energy. The museum contributes academic knowl- Teaching resources edge, we wait and see what the pupils react to and Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- go on from there. It is a good supplement to our tory, social studies, media studies, science and teaching, because we rarely have the facilities for The pupils participate nature/technology. The museum has elaborated starting a whole lot of stuff. It is also important to be in the teaching by printed teaching material. Teaching is handled able to see things in real life and not just read about carrying out practical by the person responsible for teaching and four them in books. experiments. teachers (MA Education (science), MSc and PhD lise tingstrup, teacher of nature/technology Museum of Electricity, and MA), along with 15 volunteers. 2008

22 museum of electricity

Seeing the children so engaged is quite amazing. We use it as a launching pad for natural science theme days and will continue working with the course tomorrow. claus bøje, teacher of nature/technology The Museum of South West Zealand is an association of museums in West Zealand with individual areas of responsibility.

The Museum of South West Zealand / Trelleborg Viking Fortress

The Museum of Teaching and 1-5 upper secondary classes annually receive South West Zealand, The educational offer ‘Cultural driver’s license – his- teaching. Storgade 17, tory at all times’ is a teaching concept for the pri- 4180 Sorø mary/lower secondary school, aimed at strength- Partners and development Region Zealand. ening the historical awareness of children and The museum has established a teaching centre 43,000 visitors young people. As an example, at Trelleborg Viking with the support of the Municipality, School annually. Fortress, pupils are introduced to the Vikings’ life- Service Zealand and development grants from the www.aabne-samlinger. style. The course includes presentations, discus- Heritage Agency. dk/svm sion and role-play. The teaching makes use of the museum’s interior as well as outdoor facilities. “Cultural driver’s licence – history at all times The purpose is that the pupils engage in history The idea behind the project is to further the qualifica- and in the societal role of the museum. tions of the personnel at day-care centres and schools and thus increase children and young people’s knowledge of Teaching resources and insight into culture, nature and the environment. The Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- cultural driver’s licence bridges the gap (...) between the tory, social studies, RE, , biology, nature/ museums’ core services and the schools’ curricula and year Role-play, games and technology, PE and drama. The museum has elab- objectives for the subjects of history, Danish, RE, nature/ playing are important orated printed teaching material. Teaching is technology and visual arts. parts of the teaching. handled by the person responsible for teaching, With this model, we will partly comply with the obligations The Museum of South four full-time staff (primary school teachers, MA stipulated in the Culture Agreement, implement elements West Zealand / and educator) and students with relevant aca- in local cultural policies, and in the long term establish a Trelleborg Viking demic background (prehistoric archaeology). The permanent and future-proof model for mutually binding Fortress, 2008 teaching is evaluated systematically and focuses and beneficial collaboration between local culture, nature on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfac- and arts resources and ‘children’s places’. tion with the offers. It is essential that the School Service offer can form a direct part of teachers and educators’ daily work and the way in Users which teaching is planned.” 21-50 primary/lower secondary school classes allan velstrøm, school consultant, sorø municipality

24 the museum of south west zealand

I think I understand things a little bit better when I am here at the museum. maria, 2nd year The Museum of Art Køge Sketch Collection collects sketches and models of decorations in the public domain.

The Museum of Art Køge Sketch Collection

The Museum of Art Teaching Users Køge Sketch Collection, The educational offer ‘Incomplete history’ is a 340 primary/lower secondary classes annually Nørregade 29, course that gives insight into Bjørn Nørgård’s receive teaching, as do 6-10 upper secondary 4600 Køge, working process in connection with his visualisa- classes, 1-5 vocational training classes, 10 reme- Region Zealand. tions of Danish history in the Queen’s tapestries dial classes and 2 classes from VUC (adult training 22,000 visitors at Christiansborg Castle and discusses issues centres). annually. such as sources, interpretations, selection criteria www.skitsesamlingen. etc. in connection with history writing. The pur- Partners dk pose of the teaching is to create insight into the School Service Copenhagen, primary/lower sec- creative process as a competency for solving prob- ondary schools, the museum’s Art School, public lems and as a learning tool, and also to create an institutions and cultural institutions other than understanding of history writing as a result of e.g. museums. choices and rejections.

Teaching resources Man does not live on bread alone. It takes a lot more Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- than that. Children need the stimulation offered by Pupils work with tory, social studies, philosophy, RE, maths, visual the museums to develop their senses and experience processes as problem- arts, music, drama and nature/technology, as well basis. orientated tools. as at cross-disciplinary courses in the primary/ søren turner, parent The Museum of Art lower secondary schools and general study prepa- Køge Sketch Collection, ration courses in the upper secondary school. The 2008 museum has elaborated printed teaching mate- rial. Teaching is handled by the head of the School Service (MA) and four teachers (college and acad- emy-trained).

26 the museum of art køge sketch collection

It is great fun to be at the museum and it is easier to understand when you see things in real life. anita, 8th year

The Danish Museum of Art & Design collects and documents contemporary development in industrial design, decorative art and industrial art.

The Danish Museum of Art & Design

The Danish Museum Teaching Users of Art & Design, The course ‘The Design Process – from decorative art 110 primary/lower secondary school classes, Bredgade 68, to industrial design’ focuses on design as an iden- 130 upper secondary classes and 80 vocational 1260 Copenhagen K, tity-creating sign. The pupils analyse the objects’ training classes annually receive teaching. the Capital Region social significance, and by discussing them as of Denmark. results of choices and rejections, pupils gain an Partners and development 72,000 visitors understanding of design as an interpretation of The museum collaborates with the Danish Design annually. a given era’s society. The purpose is to create the School, the School of Architecture, upper secon- www.kunstindustri- basis for experiencing and assessing design and dary schools, adult training centres, Trapholt museet.dk decorative art from parameters such as form, Museum, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the function, technique and material, and to place it Museum of Copenhagen, public institutions and in a relevant context. institutions other than museums.

Teaching resources The Danish Museum of Art & Design has just Teaching is aimed at the subjects of Danish, his- completed a user survey about the educational tory, social studies, philosophy, nature/technology, offers for the upper secondary programmes based Internet-based tools are visual arts, design, needlecraft and woodwork. on surveys among both pupils and teachers. The used in the completion The museum has elaborated printed teaching project is supported by the Heritage Agency. of practical assignments. material. Teaching is handled by the person The Danish Museum of responsible for teaching, one full-time employee Art & Design, 2008 (designer and educational management training from the Danish School of Education), along with four students with relevant academic backgrounds (art history, modern culture and cultural dissem- ination). The teaching is evaluated systematical- ly and focuses on the pupils’ learning and the teachers’ satisfaction with the offers.

28 the danish museum of art & design

It is exciting to hear about design from someone who knows a lot about it. And it is great to see the individual objects in real life and not just in a book diana, 1st year of upper secondary school

Network for museum education

From 2009 to 2011, the Heritage Agency provides financial support for the establishment and Pupils in the arts consolidation of two regional centres for museum education. One centre covers Region Southern laboratory at ARKEN. Denmark, whilst the other covers the Central Denmark Region and Region Northern Jutland. ARKEN Museum of Both centres are located west of the Great Belt, as School Service Zealand is developing its own Modern Art, 2008 network for the islands of Zealand, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm.

The centres are responsible for building museum education networks between the museums. In addition, they are to develop collaboration between the museums and the educational institu- tions and also work for quality assurance and the development of the museums’ teaching activi- ties at a regional and national level.

Within the framework of the Museum Act and on the basis of the joint strategy for development of museum dissemination, the centres are to participate in constructive interplay with museum managers, museum employees, municipalities, regions, primary/lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools etc.

The website is expected to be active from 2010. www.museumsundervisning.dk

network for museum teaching 31 e-museum e-museum is a national platform for the museums’ teaching materials for primary/lower sec- Reception classes are ondary and upper secondary schools and for the teacher training programme. Here, teachers taught about the Bronze have free access to the museums’ educational offers by searching for a specific subject or geo- Age as a part of a graphic location. The museums continually update the portal with new teaching materials. project on language, culture and identity. The platform is found under the EMU, the Danish Ministry of Education’s website for digital The National Museum teaching resources available to teachers from primary through upper secondary schools and of Denmark, 2006 teacher and educator programmes.

The purpose is to further the educational sector’s use of museums and science centres’ knowl- edge resources. e-museum was established jointly by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education. In 2006 and 2007, the two Ministries awarded grants for the development of 36 new digital teaching projects. The projects are aimed at the schools’ teaching, as they are developed in col- laboration with academic and pedagogical experts and adapted to curricula and objectives for the different school years. In the course of 2009, it is again possible to apply for grants for the devel- opment of new digital teaching projects. www.e-museum.dk

e-museum 33 Title / good practice – examples of danish museum education aimed at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools

Publisher / the heritage agency of denmark

Photos and credits / naturama, 2008, page 3, 7 / the historical museum of morsland, 2007, page 5 the danish museum of media by katrine johnsen, 2008, page 9 / the old town, 2008, page 11 thorvaldsens museum by iben salto mondrup, 2008, front page and page 13 ARKEN museum of modern art, 2008, page 15, 28 / the museum of copenhagen, 2008, page 17 ringkøbing-skjern museum, 2008, page 19 / museum of electricity, 2008, page 21 the museum of south west zealand / trelleborg viking fortress, 2008, page 23 the museum of art køge sketch collection, 2008, page 25 / the danish museum of art & design, page 27 the national museum of denmark by else marie gert nielsen, 2006, page 30

Text / katrine johnsen

Editing / the heritage agency of denmark by katrine johnsen and ida brændholt lundgaard

Graphic design / marianne bisballe

Translation / avanti gruppen

isbn / 978-87-91298-52-3

Front page /thorvaldsens museum by iben salto mondrup, 2008

Thank you the heritage agency of denmark would like to thank all national and government-approved museums for their contributions to the mapping of the museums’ teaching activities. furthermore, we would particularly like to thank the 11 museums who participate in good practice – examples of danish museum education aimed at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools: naturama, the danish museum of media, the old town, thorvaldsens museum, ARKEN museum of modern art, the museum of copenhagen, ringkøbing-skjern museum, museum of electricity, the museum of south west zealand / trelleborg viking fortress, the museum of art køge sketch collection and the danish museum of art & design.

The Heritage Agency of Denmark Museums h. c. andersens boulevard 2 1553 copenhagen v denmark tel. +45 33 74 51 00 [email protected] www.kulturarv.dk Good Practice

Examples of Danish museum education aimed at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools

The Heritage Agency of Denmark has mapped the national and government- approved museums’ teaching activities aimed at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools. The teaching activities are based on the museums’ areas of responsibility and research in the fields of cultural and natural heritage and correspond to the educational institutions’ core areas. The teaching activities at the museums are cross-disciplinary and include a wide variety of learning forms, which are characterised by being problem-orientated and practice-related. Therefore, museum education can constitute a significant supplement to the educational institutions’ teaching. The purpose of the survey is to review how the museums understand and practise teaching and to highlight the challenges that the museums face in relation to a professional administration of their learning potential in the 21st century’s knowledge society.

The Heritage Agency of Denmark Museums h. c. andersens boulevard 2 1553 copenhagen v denmark tel.: +45 33 74 51 00 [email protected] www.kulturarv.dk35