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New Models for Museums
Online, Distance Learning, Museum Studies Programs as Agents of Change Distance learning in the field of museum studies has been a practice at various universities across the country and abroad, but the efforts of developing distance-learning courses/programs have been isolated. Distance learning is fast becoming a major part of academia but, even at this early stage, it is clear that it has advantages and disadvantages, and that certain fields lend themselves better to online delivery than others. Several universities in the US are embarking on the offering of online courses and even degree programs in museum studies. Perhaps the most significant question with the proliferation of these programs is: Can the universities and the museum community to assess the validity of such efforts? However, we also must ask questions such as:
History of the Online Program at OU and Keys to Establishing its Success Online museum studies programs are one of the best places to encourage research that challenges existing models, rather than replicating them. A rich learning environment can be created that gives maximum flexibility to the faculty and students and provides multiple modalities and opportunities. Online programs also can prepare a new generation of creative and thoughtful leaders. In Oklahoma, solutions are being researched and put into practice by a new crop of professionals who are better trained and equipped to enhance the future of museums. The University of Oklahoma (OU) was a prime candidate for developing an online museum studies program. As indicated by Raschke (2003), Oklahoma had a "distributed" system of higher education for decades. Oklahoma developed "correspondence courses" as a form of distance learning before it became fashionable in American higher education. Much of this was due to the rural nature of the state. In addition, soldiers returning from World War II who wanted to improve their education without the need to become campus residents may have increased the demands. In over 40 years of existence, the OU College of Liberal Studies (CLS) has gained national and international recognition as a leader in the nontraditional degree movement and in continuing, liberal education. Established in 1960, the College was initiated as a program by OU faculty members committed to the high quality programs that would recognize the circumstances and needs of adult learners (College of Liberal Studies, The University of Oklahoma, 2003). By 1967, master's degrees were offered in liberal studies, and by 1978, OU had created a freestanding College designed specifically for adult, part-time students. It became "...a natural matrix for the evolution of postmodern learning spaces (Raschke 2003). The self-paced curriculum combined independent study, reading and writing assignments, and on-campus, hands-on, seminars and workshops (several weeks each year)." In 1981, the CLS established a Master's of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree with Museum Emphasis. At the time, many universities were developing some form of museum studies programs in response to needs of the field. However, the CLS theorized that a liberal studies degree with a museum emphasis could target adult learners. The degree followed the basic format of other CLS degrees with specific assignments and projects in the museum field. From 1980-95, the program flourished. Experienced professionals from outside the university were hired to teach the courses. However, the staff of the San Noble Oklahoma Museum on Natural History (SNOMNH, previously known as the Stovall Museum of Science & History) and the OU Museum of Art also participated on an ad hoc basis and served students as their project and thesis directors. Students also toured the museums as part of the on-campus training and used the museums for independent research and projects. The program appealed to many mid-career professionals who had museum jobs and needed a master's degree to advance in the profession. However, in 1996 and 1997, the program had financial and academic difficulties. With changes in the profession, students no longer had the time required to spend on campus seminars while keeping their jobs. The program retired in 1998 with the possibility for review and restructuring Planning for an online museum studies program began in 2002-03 with an experienced and highly qualified team of museum professionals from the SNOMNH, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (JMA), the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art and the American West, The History of Science Collection, and the Western History Collection. The planners were able to draw upon extensive and up-to-date resources on campus such as a state-of-the-art facility the SNOMNH, and expanded art museum, and additional improvements in campus collections. As with the previous museum studies program, the new online program was seeking a specific niche by targeting adult learners who had jobs in the profession and needed to add to their training and marketability. Dr. Michael Mares, Curator of Mammals and former director of SNOMNH taught the initial course "The World of the Museum" in the fall of 2003. Of six faculty members, five are from OU museums and collections. The faculty members participate in an ongoing Program Oversight Committee. Thus, staffs of university museums and collections such as Oklahoma's have a strong role in designing, implementing and evaluating the program. From an initial group of 12 students, there are 64 enrolled in the program. In summary, the keys to establishing the OU program were:
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