Case Study: Creating the Learning Museum
- Discipline:
- Arts and humanities
- Participants:
- Adults,
- Schools and colleges
- Purpose:
- Collaborating
- Source:
- Other
Overview
Who: Nottingham Trent University and the Galleries of Justice Museum.
What: Working together to deliver a vocational qualification called the Professional Certificate in Heritage Tourism to provide entry-level training.
Why: To open up a new way the sector can help to diversify the workforce.
Where: Nottingham
When: Ongoing
Project Description
Nottingham Trent University and the Galleries of Justice Museum have worked in partnership to develop the curriculum and delivery of a Professional Certificate in Heritage Tourism. It is a work-based course using live projects and work placements with local heritage organisations supported with Renaissance East Midlands Workforce Development funding. Renaissance supported students who fulfilled their remit of diversifying the type of person entering the sector. The taught element is delivered in museums rather than in the university.
The Galleries of Justice Museum sees it is providing a real outcome to their policy of encouraging volunteers from difficult backgrounds (including prisoners) and helping them to improve their self-confidence and integration into society.
The course is cheap, much cheaper than any other university accredited sector entry course.
The core of the cohort was intended to be volunteers and junior staff working at the museum, but quickly incorporated other volunteers, staff and those interesting in getting a greater understanding of the work involved in the sector.
Purpose
The purpose of the course is to provide an understanding of the sector through taught sessions with the practical application of knowledge through work placements and live projects.
Results/Outcome
What Worked Well
The use of real projects is a great motivating factor for the students and has them working well and taking responsibility for the work.
There has been great support for the course locally with many museums either taking volunteers, hosting sessions or providing visiting speakers.
The course hasn’t ended yet and the heritage landscape has changed radically so the real test of the course is the number that passes and gains entry-level jobs.
“...the course suits me as I am not particularly academic.” Student
“the opportunity to look at lots of different museums and evaluate them is very enjoyable.” Student
“Its incredibly motivating working on a real project.” Student
“I believe this is truly a new way to train entrants to the profession.” Galleries of Justice Museum Chief Executive
What didn't work well
Three people to whom the course could have given the most benefit have dropped out. This needs to be addressed out for reasons that were beyond the scope of the course to support.
Resources Required
- Time
- Some money
- A network of heritage sites willing to take students on work placements
- A REAL understanding between museum and university staff of each other’s agendas, timescales and resources.
Top Tips
- Develop relationships well in advance of any delivery and irrespective of any delivery.
- Use bartering to work to the mutual benefit or partners when money is scarce.
- Make sure the projects are 'real' to increase student motivation.
Contact
Name: Neville Stankley
Name of organisation: Nottingham Trent University
Email: neville.stankley@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0115 848 3389
Photos
1. Students carring out a SWOT analysis at a exhibition in Nottingham Museum. Photo by by Neville Stankley Nov2010
2. Students preparing a presentation. Photo by by Neville Stankley Nov2010
