Day 6: Curation Needed

“This is a school? I thought it was a museum.”

— South Philadelphia senior Terence Lewis visiting a suburban school (via Mike Klonsky)

Thanks to Mia Chambers of Acumen Works;for sharing this site with me.

Here’s an example of how a blogpost can turn out very different from what was originally intended.  When I saw that quote this morning, I thought it was a great launching point for a screed about dead learning in schools.  Though I know this young person was commenting on how nice the school was in comparison to his own, I planned to turn these words to a general commentary on teaching what we were taught without thought to whether these skills are necessary any more.  I expected to use the word dinosaurs in a biting and satirical way, and I’m certain that many things would have been referred to as dusty. 

Then I took a deep breath, and thought a bit further.

For the reality of modern museums isn’t just a closet of stuff.  In fact, museums can teach us something about the job of teacher today.

The value of a museum is judged partially on its collection, but more importantly on it curation.  A good museum takes the articles of the collection and organizes and presents them in such a way as to engage the visitor, to provide connections to his or her life, and to show how this knowledge has value in the current world.  A museum curator must constantly ask about every exhibit, “Why is this important?” and “What does this mean today?”. Knowing about the material and loving the subject is not enough, a curator must create an emotional or learning experience using all the tools available. 

In the same way, a good teacher must constantly question the value of the collection presented, and “I liked this when I was in school,” is not sufficient justification alone.  It is said that most teachers teach to their younger selves, but a good teacher must teach to the next generation.  Using all the tools available, The teacher creates an emotional and learning experience that students can take forward into their lives.

So a museum isn’t such a bad thing for a school to emulate, not as a dusty attic, but as a launching place for learning.

As always, I welcome your comment.