The museum as a social space and a place for lifelong learning

Abstract

This article explores the social dimensions of the museum by focusing on two questions: 1) What elements in museums have proved successful in creating socially interactive environments? 2) Does social interaction stimulate learning in museums and if so: how? We argue that museums are fundamentally social spaces, which are often appreciated and used as spaces to be social, but also that there is a lack of research and knowledge on how museums act as social spaces in particular, and what kind of learning social interaction in museums stimulate. We are applying the tool Generic Learning Outcomes to approach these questions. By mapping and analysing 30 museum spaces and evaluating 25 activities in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, we have managed to identify a set of elements useful for making museum spaces more social. We have also been able to trace a connection between social interaction in museums and how the museum experience contributes to learning.