科學博物館的資訊教育

Information Education of a Science Museum

張美珍

《科技博物》 1卷4期 (1997/07) Pp. 30-41

https://doi.org/10.6432/TMR.199707.0030

摘要

在資訊化的社會中，電腦科技持續且快速的發展，使其在科學博物館的展示中，已佔有極重要的角色。同時，資訊教育的重要性也日益增加，身負社會教育重任的科學博物館應如何推展資訊教育是本文探討的重點。
本文先就國內資訊教育推展現況、與博物館教育特色的探討，提出博物館在資訊教育推廣上應具有的獨特性。另討論電腦科技在教育上的運用，以延伸至博物館如何運用電腦科技，實踐資訊教育之推廣。文中並列舉數個運用電腦科技作為展示教育媒體成果卓著或推行資訊教育多年的博物館，以作為國內科學博物館在展示設計與資訊教育活動推廣的參考。

並列摘要

The application of computer technology to education
Just like other technological products, computers can be seen as a tool or a medium in terms of education. Although it is essential to fully understand the compatibility and limits before the use of such products, to education our focus is on application in that we believe that being able to use technological products is the most important aspect.
Besides using the developed computer educational software for learning, which shows noticeable effects on individual learning, some experts advocate to use computers as a learning tool, which will enable learners to do editing and create works with themes, instead of following educational software with fixed procedures. The results of this education trial show that students are more motivated in learning, that the teaching is more effective and that future conditions will be deeply and widely influenced.
The role of computer technology in the museum
Nowadays, many museums employ computers as a guiding tool because of their multi-medium function. Computers have become an important medium in museum displays; they reinforce the display and educational effects. Therefore, the museum has been trying to employ computer technology to develop highly interactive displays to engage visitors in deeper learning activities. This has become a theme of study for museums.
For students, the museum is a freer learning environment because they learn out of their own willingness, which sometimes gives them more room for thinking and creation. Under the liberal and self-directing conditions, the museum has its unique educational effects. Therefore, the museum should, in terms of promoting information education, fully make use of these advantages and provide people with educational activities different from those at school or academic institutes.
The ”Mystery Lab” of the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago in the U.S. and the museum, Sony Wonder, created by Sony Co. in New York are two cases where they successfully utilize computer technology for information education. In this highly interactive and self-discovery learning environment, the visitors not only can self explore and browse through the museum, they also can come to realize how important of a role the computer can play in different specific domains and their daily leisure life, which is the very purpose for the promotion of information education.
Information education of a science museum
Apparently the computer technology is developing among the educational circle and that the existing museums are emphasizing the role of educators, so the use of computer technology in display or educational activities is the best way for science museums to promote popular information education.
Suggestions for promoting information education in science museum are hereby provided:
1. Computers are characterized of being highly interactive, individualized and never-getting-impatient; therefore, they can not only make various display items more vivid and lively, but also break through the limitation of time and space by internet communication. Moreover, the range of services may be extended by using simultaneous technology such as a virtual museum or digital museum to connect with the global network.
2. The science museum spares no effort to furnish computer technology displays according to people's life experiences in order to provide people with a hands-on visit and have people come to realize the application of computer technology to different walks of life and leisure activities.
3. The contents of information educational activities in science museum should be designed different from those in formal education institutes. Science museum has to promote its unique educational effect in information education by using object exhibits and opened interactive devices to introduce all kinds of application of computer technology.
4. As the museum resources are opened to all citizens, science museums have to plan series of information educational activities carefully, to create a life-long learning environment for all kinds of audience.
In general, the museum has better location, equipment and plentiful resources than general primary or high schools do. The Education Administration should list the museum as one of the institutes to be responsible for promoting popular information education so that the museum can organize more educational activities to cultivate and upgrade the computer knowledge of the people.