虽然共同财富报告显示出英国博物馆教育方面令人沮丧的现状,但它还表明:未来博物馆及其教育与动手型博物馆和科学中心的理念高度相似。大卫·安德森认为教育是博物馆赖以生存的基石,教育是博物馆的内在本质,是推动一切活动的根本。在未来新的博物馆中,教育职位的员工要参与展品开发、研究和评估也将成为博物馆工作不可或缺的部分。作为一个资源丰富的学习空间,博物馆提供的一手体验式学习、对藏品实物和科学现象的真实感受是博物馆最无可取代的部分,但是博物馆也承认新的展示技术,可以作为鼓励成人与儿童观众自由探索的手段。新的展示科技的利用可以使观众对博物馆有新的认知,可以吸引更多的观众,进一步在文化发展和经济发展中发挥更积极的作用,反过来,这也会使博物馆获得更多的公众资助,形成良性循环。这类博物馆的发展趋势也是随公众需求而不断进化的,从更广泛的层面看其发展趋势受到非正式教育运动和自主学习观念的影响。博物馆作为教育实体有其存在的理由,这个理由不是作为学校教育的附庸,而是为了博物馆教育本身。[20]
总之,大卫·安德森描述了英国传统博物馆开始吸纳动手型博物馆的理念,将观众的需求放在决策考虑首位的事实。当然,作为传统博物馆,有收藏、保存和整理的义务,但是博物馆的未来可能是将一系列内容——藏品、动手型展品、新技术、现场演示和特别节目——联合起来,从而帮助观众理解自己所生活的环境。下一章将仔细研究这一观点,并探讨动手型博物馆与科学中心未来可能的走向。
[1] V.Middleton,New Visions for Independent Museums in the UK,Chichester:Association of Independent Museums,1990,p.34.
[2] P.Lewis.‘Marketing to the local community’,unpublished conference paper quoted in S.Davies,By Popular Demand,London:Museums and Galleries Commission,1994,p.60.
[3] S.McCormick (ed.),The ASTC Science Center Survey:education report,Washington,DC:ASTC,1988;M.St.John and S.Grinell,Highlights of the 1987 ASTC Science Center Survey:an independent review of findings,Washington,DC:ASTC,1989.
[4] S.McCormick (ed.),The ASTC Science Center Survey:education report,Washington,DC:ASTC,1988;M.St.John and S.Grinell,Highlights of the 1987 ASTC Science Center Survey:an independent review of findings,Washington,DC:ASTC,1989,pp.1-14.
[5] S.McCormick (ed.),The ASTC Science Center Survey:education report,Washington,DC:ASTC,1988;M.St.John and S.Grinell,Highlights of the 1987 ASTC Science Center Survey:an independent review of findings,Washington,DC:ASTC,1989;S.McCormick,op.cit.,p.11.
[6] S.McCormick (ed.),The ASTC Science Center Survey:education report,Washington,DC:ASTC,1988;M.St.John and S.Grinell,Highlights of the 1987 ASTC Science Center Survey:an independent review of findings,Washington,DC:ASTC,1989,pp.12-13.
[7] S.McCormick (ed.),The ASTC Science Center Survey:education report,Washington,DC:ASTC,1988;M.St.John and S.Grinell,Highlights of the 1987 ASTC Science Center Survey:an independent review of findings,Washington,DC:ASTC,1989,p.13.
[8] P.Steuert,Opening the Museum:history and strategies towards a more inclusive institution,Boston:The Children’s Museum,1993.
[9] Much of the information in this section has been derived from field research by the author,and from annual reports and promotional material published by the museums cited.
Additional information on youth programmes has been obtained from ‘Leadership in youth museum programs for adolescents’,Hand to Hand,6,4,1992,pp.1-7.
[10] N.Marriott,‘Walk this way’,Times Educational Supplement,2.7.93.
[11] J.Davison,‘A night of science’,Journal of Education in Museums,14,1993,pp.15-16.
[12] Interview with Colin Johnson,Deputy Director,Techniquest,30.10.96.
[13] C.O'Grady,‘Giving them the works’,Times Educational Supplement,2.7.93.
[14] D.Anderson,A Common Wealth:museums and learning in the United Kingdom,London:Department of National Heritage,1997,p.v.
[15] D.Anderson,A Common Wealth:museums and learning in the United Kingdom,London:Department of National Heritage,1997,pp.1-19.
[16] D.Anderson,A Common Wealth:museums and learning in the United Kingdom,London:Department of National Heritage,1997,p.14;S.McCormick,op.cit.,pp.12-13.
[17] D.Anderson,A Common Wealth:museums and learning in the United Kingdom,London:Department of National Heritage,1997,p.1.
[18] S.Davies,By Popular Demand:a strategic analysis of the potential for museums and galleries in the UK,London:Museums and Galleries Commission,1994,p.60.
[19] M.St.John and S.Grinell,op.cit.,pp.18-19.
[20] D.Anderson,op.cit.,pp.1-10.