Adult learning for social change in museums: An exploration of sociocultural learning approaches to community engagement

Abstract

This integrative literature review critically examined how scholars were articulating the work of museums to make a space for 'adult learning for social change through community engagement'. We applied sociocultural adult learning theories (situated learning and cultural-historical activity theory), to 25 theoretical and empirical studies in predominantly museum and culture-based journals but also, specific adult education and lifelong learning journals. We found the studies shared in the works underscored the importance of social, collective interactions (adult learning for social change through community engagement) in the informal settings of museums and the work of various learning mediators of learning such as educators, tour guides and even, curators. In particular, we found a belief in the value of participatory collaborations based on community needs. However, when it came to practice, most studies illuminated passive, individualised processes of learning confined to pre-organised education activities. We argue therefore, that although museums have great potential to become meaningful spaces for adult learning for social change through community engagement, there is a disconnection between a belief/application of more critical, sociocultural learning perspectives and the actual practices under study. We argue that an application of what these theories suggest is needed to strengthen adult learning for social change through community engagement in museums.

What makes a museum attractive to young people? Evidence from Italy

“…The paradigm shift from a collection‐centred approach to a community‐centred model in managing museums concurs in emphasizing their understanding as critical agents of economic and social development (Edmundson, ). Striving to be inclusive of their local community (McPherson, ) and inciting the users' active participation in the process of knowledge creation (Antón, Camarero, & Garrido, ), museums are able to engage the visitors in an interactive dialogue, which ultimately enhances their capacity to produce individual and collective learning (Kim, Soo, & Park, ). Actually, visitors' engagement is one of the most recurring topics in the current scientific literature that deals with museum and tourism management (Leask, ).…”

Perspectives in Formulating Policies to Promote Lifelong Learning in the System of Cultural Institutions Towards Building A Learning Society to Meet the Requirements of Digital Transformation in Vietnam

“…Nghiên cứu của tác giả Hui-Jong Hsieh (2010) đã nhấn mạnh vai trò của bảo tàng với việc học tập suốt đời của cao tuổi trong bối cảnh độ già hoá dân số thế giới ngày càng tăng. Bảo tàng với vai trò như một thiết chế giáo dục và xã hội thông qua triển lãm và các hoạt động để cung cấp một phương pháp học tập không chính thức và đa dạng [6] Đồng thời, bảo tàng 7 Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport cũng cung cấp môi trường học tập của người lớn trong việc thúc đẩy học tập suốt đời với lý thuyết học tập tập tại chỗ và lý thuyết hoạt động văn hoá-lịch sử, nhóm nghiên cứu cho rằng, bảo tàng có tiềm năng to lớn để trở thành không gian có ý nghĩa cho việc học tập thông qua sự tham gia của cộng đồng [23].…”

Effect of Display Methods on Intentions to Use Virtual Reality in Museum Tourism

“…Studying the relationship between museum tourism and VR use is significant for optimizing visitor experience and promoting museum management (Beck et al, 2019). Through a review of the existing research, it can be found that the research content of museum tourism mainly focuses on the following aspects: The first is the integrated development of museum, city, community, and heritage tourism (Hashim et al, 2014; J. Kim et al, 2016).…”

“…Through a review of the existing research, it can be found that the research content of museum tourism mainly focuses on the following aspects: The first is the integrated development of museum, city, community, and heritage tourism (Kim et al, 2016;Hashim et al, 2014). The second is museum tourists' psychological and behavioral characteristics, motivation, demand, and satisfaction (Cheng & Huang, 2022;Zhou et al, 2022).…”