MCN2015

Many museums have formed “Digital Learning” departments within their institution. Managers of new and more established digital learning groups at four museums, the American Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Minnesota Historical Society, will explore the goals of forming these groups.

Questions explored will be: What IS “Digital Learning”? Why form a “Digital Learning” department? What advantages to such groups provide to museums and their audiences? How do these groups fit within their larger institutions?The panel will explore how new “digital learning” experiences actually use “digital” components to extend and connect with the physical. Examples include using the virtual to bridge two different physical locations such as museum spaces and the classroom. The digital is also used to connect people traditionally inaccessible to each other bridging content experts to students, creating citizen scientists. Or, how digital design and 3D printers can create physical objects.

Ultimately, the group will explore how the digital and the physical combine to create 21st century learning experiences for young people and people of all ages.