Teaching with objects logo

Website | Collection Science Museum Group

Jill Decrop Ernst

02 April, 2024

This website is a great example how museums can combine their collections online, and a great resource for playful teaching and learning.

Something simple as presenting related objects with every object entry,  actually allows us to explore the collections in a guided way, across the boundaries of one museum. 

The creators of this website implemented playful ways to surprise their users, with randomizers (Never been seen, Random object generator, What the machine saw). A great way to select objects with your students, and to start open brainstorm sessions. 

Also note that there is a section on accessibility, with a thoughtful self-reflection that could serve as a conversation starter within your team.

The randomizers raise interesting didactical opportunities: confronting your students and yourself with unexpected objects. It could put our analytical skills to the test, help us formulate new questions, and put our students in the position of our interlocutor. (Shuh might be helpful).

Link to the source: 

Science Museum Group Collection

Related sources: 

Shuh, J. H. (1982). Teaching Yourself to Teach with Objects Teaching Yourself to Teach with Objects . Journal of Education, 7(4), 8–15. Retrieved 24  April 2023

Web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. (2018, June 5). Retrieved April 24, 2023.

A guide to reading objects

Get in touch