International Teacher Education Conference 2014 1

International Teacher Education Conference 2014
but also the fact that the museum offers a combination of learning theories. Besides, the museum allows multiple
interpretations and does not promote one absolute truth. Regarding the artworks, these have the particularity of
being redefined and ' change ', although the physical dimensions remain constant, because " consumed " ,each
time, by a different observer - visitor (Fillis 2004: 127). This "freedom" in interpretation and communication
with a painting, is an advantage for a museum educational program.
Then we collect the existing educational material and prepare the new, aiming to create a complex experience
based on the widest possible variety of instruments to interdisciplinary and interactivity. Today, in general, the
use of technology and interactive websites of museums can encourage active participation (such as to put the
visitors in the role of the archaeologist in a virtual excavation on a computer screen) (Economou 2003: 85).
Particularly young people fascinate games, playing roles, observation , participation in workshops ,
competitions , treasure hunts, art activities , audiovisual experiences , virtual tour and computer games , " dip "
in the representation of history. The visitors 'go out' of themselves and become, for a while, part of the story (eg
warriors in the past). Children play in specific rooms of the museum (use sounds and pictures) (Kotler & Kotler
& Kotler 2008: 27).
Gallery has two CD-ROM, one relevant with Greek landscape and the second with a virtual tour of the
National Gallery of Athens. This material was used in the preparation of students before the visit to the museum.
Also was used the Gallery’s book with pictures of the paintings and a range of specialized workbooks (separate
notebook for student-teacher). Generally, educational materials must comply with following principles: to be
friendly to the user, based on original material, not copyrighted in order for educational use (Black 2009: 216).
The duration of the activities should not discourage or tired the participant. For this reason, we give attention
to the number of activities and the number of students in each group (depending on the age and the difficulty of
actions). The number of groups can vary from 5 to 10 children and considered that there should be no more than
six activities for each group. Calculating the indicative time of 15-20 minutes for completion of each activity,
the total planned time of creative activities during the visit should not exceed two hours. For students, the overall
objective is to "enjoy" visit, without resentment or difficulty to cope with the demands of the actions requested
by them. These actions will be appropriately selected and aligned with the interests and the abilities of this
group. We avoid reprimands and encourage students. Pestalozzi says that a teacher must be simply assistant to
his student ( Kalouri 1998 : 48) .
We utilize all the possibilities of the museum as a physical space. People visiting the museum are prompted
not only for the collections but also for the architectural environment in which paintings are exhibited (Kotler &
Kotler & Kotler 2008: 28). Regarding the interior space of the museum, students must have an 'easy' run and
places for rest. Other practical issues that should be solved by the leaders of the museum educational program is
safety of students , easy access, good services at the ticket office, library, museum shop, restaurant, toilets,
parking. When visitors feel comfortable in the environment of the museum, they enjoy better their visit and this
point is an advantage for the whole project (Economou 2003: 87). Behavior of frontline staff (the workers at the
museum who come into first contact with visitors) contributes decisively to the program, affecting, positively or
negatively. To the end, program is evaluated by all stakeholders (museum, teachers, students, and the state) .
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHEETS FOR THE BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL
GALLERY OF GREECE, IN CORFU
Division into groups
Student create groups (4-5 people), in the space of the Gallery playing game of blind man's buff. A visit to
the museum is not only a socially important activity, but also an opportunity for social interaction among
visitors, friends or strangers (Galanis 2006: 9) . It is an opportunity for the students themselves to improve their
social status among their peers. Each group can choose a name. This fact will unify them as a group and will
create a greater sense of cooperativeness.
Selection Criteria. Categorization
The criteria by which selected the proposed activities were basically covered all learning goals associated
with the project title (“The painting conversing with poetry and literature in Greek art of the 19th and early 20th
century” ) through thematic variety (paintings with different themes and artistic currents of the time). On the
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