Object based learning

LCCOS supports object based learning within the curriculum at UCL and collaborates on research into the value of this approach to learning.

Academic staff at UCL can contact the team to find out more about developing teaching using our museum collections and find out more about the Object based Learning Laboratory as a teaching space.

Teaching and object based learning

UCL’s Arts and Sciences (BASc) degree includes a second-year core module entitled Object Lessons: Communicating knowledge through collections, which is built around object based learning methodology. Object based learning at UCL makes the most of the priceless treasures in the collections of LCCOS, as invaluable educational tools.

Using objects in teaching not only helps students to understand their subject but also develops academic and transferable skills such as teamwork and communication, analytical skills, practical observation and drawing skills. It can also trigger innovative dissertation topics. Use of the collections is effective at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and UCL's museums currently work with courses from across the whole spectrum of academic disciplines, engaging thousands of students with innovative object based learning every year.

Research into object based learning

In recent years, pioneering research into the value of object based learning (OBL) in a higher education context has been undertaken at UCL. This research was prompted by the observation that whilst a rich literature on the use of collections in museum and gallery education existed, little had been written on the benefits of this method of learning for university programmes – despite universities holding large and unique collections of art works, manuscripts, specimens, rare books and artefacts.

In response, LCCOS and our partners have developed a programme of research dedicated to uncovering the ways in which museum collections can enhance learning for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This research is strongly linked to pedagogies of active and experiential learning, which sees hands-on engagement with the object of study as key to personal meaning-making and the long-term retention of ideas. The research uses a variety of methods including surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations.

Benefits of using real objects in learning

They provide a direct link with a topic or 'the past' and can really enhance young people's interest in and understanding of a topic/subject.
They encourage learners to use all their senses - especially touch, sight and smell.
They help to develop the important skill of drawing conclusions based on an examination of evidence, together with an understanding of the limitations and reliability of evidence.
They are ideal for generating group and class discussion.
They promote the value of museums and encourage young people to visit museums and galleries with their families to further their learning.

Electronic resources on object based learning

Our object based e-resources have been designed in consultation with teaching staff for use across a wide range of subjects from the life sciences to artefact studies.

Culture Grid

UCL have worked closely with the University of Reading and the Collections Trust to share resources and given greater access to our museum and archival collections. Around 150,000 individual museum and archival objects from UCL and the University of Reading's unique collections are available on Culture Grid.

Publications

Helen J. Chatterjee and Leonie Hannan have published a book entitled Engaging the senses: Object-Based Learning in Higher Education (Ashgate, 2015). The book brings together an international network of contributors from universities and museums in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia and presents the first comprehensive exploration of object-based learning as a pedagogy for higher education.