Interdisciplinary Teaching with Museum Objects Course

Editorial Take

The Smithsonian Institution’s course on interdisciplinary teaching brings museum-based learning directly into classrooms through expert-led, object-centered strategies. Designed for educators, it blends pedagogical theory with practical digital tools.

Standout Strengths

• Expert-Led Instruction: Educators from four Smithsonian museums provide authentic insights into artifact interpretation. Their real-world experience enriches every module with practical classroom applications.
• Interdisciplinary Framework: The course connects science, history, and art through museum objects. This approach supports holistic learning across subject areas in meaningful ways.
• Inquiry-Based Learning Focus: Participants learn to foster student curiosity using open-ended questions. This method promotes deeper engagement with primary sources and cultural artifacts.
• Smithsonian Learning Lab Integration: Teachers gain hands-on experience with a powerful digital platform. They learn to curate, organize, and share collections tailored to their curriculum needs.
• Community Collaboration: Discussion forums enable peer exchange among global educators. Sharing lesson ideas fosters innovation and reflective teaching practices.
• Flexible Teaching Applications: Strategies work in both physical and virtual classrooms. Educators adapt techniques for hybrid or fully online instruction seamlessly.

Honest Limitations

• Limited Instructor Interaction: While forums exist, direct feedback from Smithsonian educators is minimal. Participants must be self-motivated to gain full benefit from peer discussions.
• Beginner-Level Depth: The content targets novice users of museum pedagogy. Advanced educators may find some modules repetitive or lacking in complexity.
• Platform Dependency: Full engagement requires comfort with edX and the Smithsonian Learning Lab. Technical barriers could hinder access for less digitally fluent users.
• Niche Audience Focus: The course is tailored to K–12 teachers. Broader audiences, such as higher education or informal educators, may find limited relevance.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 2–3 hours weekly to stay on track. Consistent pacing ensures full engagement with video content and discussion prompts.
• Parallel project: Begin building a lesson using the Learning Lab early. Applying concepts in real time reinforces learning and builds portfolio-ready work.
• Note-taking: Record reflections on each artifact example. These notes become valuable resources for future classroom integration.
• Community: Actively participate in discussion forums. Sharing ideas with peers enhances understanding and sparks creative adaptations.
• Practice: Reuse and modify strategies across different subjects. Practicing interdisciplinary connections strengthens curriculum design skills.
• Consistency: Complete weekly assignments promptly. Staying current helps maintain momentum and deepens reflective practice.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Teaching in the Art Museum' by Rika Burnham. Offers theoretical grounding in object-based teaching methods and visitor engagement.
• Tool: Google Arts & Culture. Complements the Learning Lab with additional digital collections and virtual exhibits for classroom use.
• Follow-up: Smithsonian Open Access portal. Enables free use of millions of digital assets for educational purposes beyond the course.
• Reference: Harvard Project Zero’s Thinking Routines. Supports inquiry-based learning with structured reflection techniques applicable to object analysis.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Skipping discussion participation limits collaborative learning. Engaging with peers is essential to gain diverse perspectives and teaching insights.
• Pitfall: Underutilizing the Learning Lab’s features. Take time to explore tagging, annotations, and sharing options to maximize resource utility.
• Pitfall: Treating modules in isolation. Integrate strategies across units to reinforce interdisciplinary connections and deepen student understanding.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: Fourteen weeks of moderate effort yields practical teaching tools. The investment pays off through reusable, standards-aligned lesson designs.
• Cost-to-value: Free audit access offers exceptional value. Even without certification, educators gain access to high-quality professional development resources.
• Certificate: The verified certificate enhances resumes and PD records. It signals engagement with innovative, museum-based pedagogy to administrators.
• Alternative: Comparable museum education courses often cost hundreds. This free option from a world-renowned institution is unmatched in accessibility and credibility.

Editorial Verdict

This course stands out as a rare opportunity for educators to learn directly from curators and educators at the Smithsonian Institution. Its focus on interdisciplinary, object-based learning transforms how teachers can engage students across subjects. By integrating real museum artifacts into lesson planning, participants gain tools that are both academically rigorous and creatively inspiring. The inclusion of the Smithsonian Learning Lab ensures that skills learned are immediately applicable in digital and physical classrooms alike, making it a valuable asset for modern educators.

While the course excels in content and credibility, it requires self-direction and may not offer enough depth for experienced museum educators. However, for K–12 teachers seeking to innovate with arts integration and inquiry-based learning, this course delivers exceptional value. The free audit model removes financial barriers, broadening access to high-quality professional development. With thoughtful engagement, participants will leave not only with new strategies but also with curated resources ready for classroom use. For educators passionate about bringing history, science, and art to life through objects, this course is highly recommended.