Guest Blogger: Cultural Interpretation and Creative Education
I'm delighted to present a post from our third guest blogger based at Indiana University, Suzanne Ingalsbe. As a dual-degree student in Library Science and Folklore, Suzanne was intrigued by Bridget McKenzie's treatment of education offerings in museums, libraries, and collaborative efforts as presented by her blog Cultural Interpretation and Creative Education. Welcome to The Attic Suzanne, and many thanks for your contribution!
Cultural Interpretation and Creative Education.
Bridget McKenzie. 2006.
Weblog, http://bridgetmckenzie.blogspot.com/
By Suzanne Ingalsbe
This weblog is maintained by Bridget McKenzie, who previously oversaw education programs at the Tate and the British Library. The stated purpose of the site is to record Ms. McKenzie’s thoughts about “helping cultural institutions interpret their collections” and “helping education bodies engage with culture” and issues related to these goals. Particular attention is given to technology and institutional collaborations as means of enabling creative education.
Many posts include references and links to other articles or talks, some of which are Ms. McKenzie’s own. One characteristic example is “The Whole Story,” posted on November 8, 2006, which offers her definition of the museum field and ideas about using narrative in cultural interpretation. The author also provides summaries and commentary on multiple conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and other educational initiatives that she attended in 2006 as well as her reflections about sites created by others. The unifying theme is educational outreach and innovative ways of using existing objects and new technologies to accomplish it. Some original suggestions about curriculum reorganization and recognition of organizations that are pushing boundaries with new programming are included, and interspersed throughout are pictures and links that enhance and expand on the text.
This weblog is functioning well as a sampling of links to current exhibitions, commentary on the role of museums, and overviews of organizations and programs concerned with the future of the field. While the majority of the material included addresses British initiatives, Ms. McKenzie does mention the Dutch project Kids 2020 and the Digital Storytelling Initiative based out of San Francisco. Particularly welcome is the inclusion of library and archive programming in comparison with that of museums, as it usefully underscores similarities and differences of these institutions that are not always emphasized. While not comprehensive in coverage, this weblog covers an inspiring variety of programs. Views from both sides of debates in the museum and library worlds are presented since Ms. McKenzie either includes or links to the outside commentary with which she is engaging.
One major downfall of the site is its sporadic publishing history. The archive of this weblog runs back to April of 2006, so apparently the site is relatively new. Between April and December of 2006 postings were made on 24 different days. On some days multiple posts were made, and at other times more than a month passed between posts. A posting gap between December 10, 2006 and February 2, 2007 made it difficult to determine whether the site had been abandoned or whether there was a burst of creative insight waiting to be added. Thankfully it was the latter, and February and March of 2007 have each seen three new posts. Another downfall is the lack of adherence to any general format. Posts commenting on exhibitions are mixed in with posts touting a family member’s weblog, and it is easy to lose the thread of any one thought.
This site is particularly appealing for those with interests in using digital media and web technologies in the museum and library settings. Readers seeking fresh ideas for community involvement in heritage and culture programming will also find useful material here. While the most comprehensive coverage is of the writings and projects Ms. McKenzie is herself involved in, even the cursory coverage of other programs leads to helpful information. The innovations highlighted in this weblog, even if too distant for active participation, provide provocative food for thought.
There are few comments on the weblog at this point, which is disheartening as it indicates that the site has not yet met its full potential as a venue for exchange of ideas. There is tremendous potential for growth, however, and hopefully momentum will build and bring more minds to the site.
Cultural Interpretation and Creative Education.
Bridget McKenzie. 2006.
Weblog, http://bridgetmckenzie.blogspot.com/
By Suzanne Ingalsbe
This weblog is maintained by Bridget McKenzie, who previously oversaw education programs at the Tate and the British Library. The stated purpose of the site is to record Ms. McKenzie’s thoughts about “helping cultural institutions interpret their collections” and “helping education bodies engage with culture” and issues related to these goals. Particular attention is given to technology and institutional collaborations as means of enabling creative education.
Many posts include references and links to other articles or talks, some of which are Ms. McKenzie’s own. One characteristic example is “The Whole Story,” posted on November 8, 2006, which offers her definition of the museum field and ideas about using narrative in cultural interpretation. The author also provides summaries and commentary on multiple conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and other educational initiatives that she attended in 2006 as well as her reflections about sites created by others. The unifying theme is educational outreach and innovative ways of using existing objects and new technologies to accomplish it. Some original suggestions about curriculum reorganization and recognition of organizations that are pushing boundaries with new programming are included, and interspersed throughout are pictures and links that enhance and expand on the text.
This weblog is functioning well as a sampling of links to current exhibitions, commentary on the role of museums, and overviews of organizations and programs concerned with the future of the field. While the majority of the material included addresses British initiatives, Ms. McKenzie does mention the Dutch project Kids 2020 and the Digital Storytelling Initiative based out of San Francisco. Particularly welcome is the inclusion of library and archive programming in comparison with that of museums, as it usefully underscores similarities and differences of these institutions that are not always emphasized. While not comprehensive in coverage, this weblog covers an inspiring variety of programs. Views from both sides of debates in the museum and library worlds are presented since Ms. McKenzie either includes or links to the outside commentary with which she is engaging.
One major downfall of the site is its sporadic publishing history. The archive of this weblog runs back to April of 2006, so apparently the site is relatively new. Between April and December of 2006 postings were made on 24 different days. On some days multiple posts were made, and at other times more than a month passed between posts. A posting gap between December 10, 2006 and February 2, 2007 made it difficult to determine whether the site had been abandoned or whether there was a burst of creative insight waiting to be added. Thankfully it was the latter, and February and March of 2007 have each seen three new posts. Another downfall is the lack of adherence to any general format. Posts commenting on exhibitions are mixed in with posts touting a family member’s weblog, and it is easy to lose the thread of any one thought.
This site is particularly appealing for those with interests in using digital media and web technologies in the museum and library settings. Readers seeking fresh ideas for community involvement in heritage and culture programming will also find useful material here. While the most comprehensive coverage is of the writings and projects Ms. McKenzie is herself involved in, even the cursory coverage of other programs leads to helpful information. The innovations highlighted in this weblog, even if too distant for active participation, provide provocative food for thought.
There are few comments on the weblog at this point, which is disheartening as it indicates that the site has not yet met its full potential as a venue for exchange of ideas. There is tremendous potential for growth, however, and hopefully momentum will build and bring more minds to the site.
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