Interactive Learning in Museums of Art and Design

Introduction It is increasingly recognized that social interaction, interaction between visitors, is critical to how we experience museums and galleries (e.g. Falk et al. 2000; Hein 1998). We often visit museums with others – whether friends, family, peers or colleagues – and even when we visit a museum alone we are sensitive to the behaviour of others. Our own research and studies by others reveal the ways in which social interaction has a pervasive influence on what we choose to look at, how we approach exhibits, the ways in which we explore and examine particular objects and artefacts and undoubtedly the conclusions we draw (e.g. Bradburne 2000; Heath et al. unpubl.; Leinhardt et al. 2002; Paris 2002; vom Lehn et al. 2001a; vom Lehn et al. 2001b). Our aesthetic and practical experience of exhibits and exhibitions in museums and galleries emerges in and through our talk and interaction with others, be they people we are with or others who just happen to be in the same space.