Playing and Learning in the Museums: A Scientific Educational Approach of the Cultural History of Thessaloniki

This project is based on the current trends which dominate the field of education in museums and on their respective stakes. The recognized contribution of educational projects in museums, as well as the advantages of informal... [ view full abstract ]

This project is based on the current trends which dominate the field of education in museums and on their respective stakes. The recognized contribution of educational projects in museums, as well as the advantages of informal learning that they possess, demonstrate their usefulness across the spectrum of human life. Utilizing another type of informal learning - the children's informational books, we designed a cultural guide for children which relies on the respective bibliographical and online survey about the education in museum and museum-educating programs in Greece and abroad. This guide includes the most important cultural routes in the city and at the same time, in the history of Thessaloniki. As pinpoints on these routes were set the following sites: The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Galerian Complex, the Ancient Roman Forum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Byzantine Walls in the Old Town, the Jewish Museum, the Folklore-Ethnological Museum of Macedonia and Thrace and finally, the War Museum of Thessaloniki. Since the utilization of family leisure in museums is very constructive for a variety of reasons, we tried blending formal and informal education, designing activities aimed at parents or other adults with children, but also teachers.

Keywords: education in museums, cultural guide, culture, play.