MUSEUMS AS LEARNING CENTERS
Museums today are changing. Instead of quiet rooms with closely guarded dinosaur bones or statues and paintings displayed with just a short text of explanation, museums now look more like playgrounds or computer game rooms. They have colorful flashing lights, computers for visitors and exhibits that say, "Please, Touch Me". Today's museums aim to make learning a more exciting experience.(lines 1–5)
Of course, museums have always been places of learning. In addition to the exhibits, many museums have always provided after-school clubs, libraries and even organized festivals. But until recently, the learning experience was usually passive because most visitors did little more than look at the exhibits. "Today's museums are designed differently," explains Toronto Museum Director Dr. Sandra Fisher. "We believe that providing a more active experience is an effective learning method because it creates a long-lasting memory. Therefore, we encourage the learners to interact with many of the exhibits. This means that they can push buttons, touch computer screens and participate in special experiments. In art museums, for example, learners can experiment with light and colors, just like the painter Vincent van Gogh did."(lines 6–14)
In today's museums visitors are also in charge of their learning. This means that they are free to decide which exhibits to interact with and which experiments or activities to participate in. "Research has proven that when people have a choice, their learning is even more effective and lasts longer," says Dr. Fisher.(lines 15–18)
Although most educators believe that these new methods help students develop an interest in what the museums provide, some educators react negatively. The critics say these "flashy" science centers and museums are like amusement parks. They claim that some children, especially those who can't concentrate, benefit very little from their visit. All they do is rush noisily from one exhibit to another. But despite the difference of opinion among educators, one thing is clear: museums have changed a lot since the days when they showed mainly paintings hanging on walls. They have become modern learning centers devoted to teaching the younger generation about the world around them and developing their skills to succeed in the future.(lines 19–26)