Theories, Practices, and Programs
Educational Theory
• Lifelong Learning – Pedagogy– Andragogy
• Constructivism– Learner actively creates or “constructs” own
meaning
John Dewey (1859-1952)
• Learning by doing
• Experience as a way of knowing and learning
• Active engagement instead of passivity
Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
• Learning occurs as a result of social interaction
• Zone of proximal development
• Scaffolding
Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
• Cognitive development occurs in stages
• Learning as a constructivist activity
• Teachers as facilitators of learning
Howard Gardner (1943 - )
• Theory of multiple intelligences
• There is more than one way of knowing
• Diverse ways of learning should be encouraged
Educational Practices
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Object-Based Learning
• Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
Inquiry-Based Learning
• Posing questions or problems instead of giving facts
• Approach or introduce specific topics with open-ended questions
• Refer back to student responses as a way to keep them connected to the material
Object-Based Learning
• Sculptures, paintings, artifacts, photographs, advertisements, replicas, documents, etc.
• Used to initiate discussions
• More than one meaning
• Tell more than one story
Object Study
• What can we learn from this object?
• What themes can be explored?
• What story can be told?
• How can this be used in your classroom?
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
• Developed by Philip Yenawine and Abigail Housen
• Open-ended and highly-structured discussion questions
• Increases students’ critical thinking, language, and literacy skills
Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS)
• Three questions guide VTS discussions
– What’s going on in this picture?
– What do you see that makes you say that?
– What more can we find?
(Credit: History Miami)
Museum Programs• Tropical Dreams
• Our Story: African American History
• Our Story: Hispanic American Story
• Our Story: Florida Natives
• Immigration: Making Miami Home
• Operation Pedro Pan (through January 17, 2016)
Historic Site Programs
• Cape Florida Lighthouse• Downtown Architecture Walk• Lummus Park• Matheson Hammock• Miami City Cemetery • Miami Dade County Courthouse• Simpson Park• Virginia Key Beach
Archives & Research Center
• Visual Materials– Photographs, postcards, maps, prints, illustrated
books, stereographs, etc.• Manuscripts– Letters, diaries, minutes, personal
correspondence, transcripts, etc.• Books and Publications– books, periodicals, dissertations, city directories,
brochures, pamphlets, etc.
Suggested Resources• http://www.historymiami.org
• http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/
• http://www.loc.gov/teachers
• http://www.vtshome.org/
• http://www.floridamemory.com
• http://www.facinghistory.org
• http://everglades.fiu.edu/reclaim/
Upcoming Events• Guided Exhibition Experience: Operation
Pedro Pan – October 3, 11:00 AM
• Downtown Archaeology & Architecture Walk– October 4, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Little Havana History & Culture Walk– October 9, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Family Fun Day: Textile Arts– October 10, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cecilia Dubon Slesnick, M.S. [email protected]
Isbel Salgueiro, M.S. Curriculum & [email protected]
Cynthia Toledo, M.A. Museum [email protected]
Suarmis Travieso, M.A. [email protected]
HistoryMiami 101C West Flagler Street 305.375.1492 www.historymiami.org