Message from Morna Hinton
Victoria & Albert Museum

The V&A British Galleries has a wide range of ICT that supports informal independent learning as well as school and student study. The most content-rich of these interactives are:

British Galleries Online This is a database of all the 2,800 objects on display in the British Galleries including the label information together with additional material. In some cases this is quite substantial. In addition to individual objects entries there is a range of more general topics that tie together a selection of objects into 'stories', e.g. Childhood, Shopping, Pets. There are also separate entries on significant people and places that relate to the British Galleries. The content creation has involved curators and educators from the British Galleries Project team and also from curatorial departments. A thorough editing process included content checking, educational aspects, and copy editing. A whole team of copy editors were brought in to complete the database in time for the opening of the galleries. The British Galleries Online is available in the two Study Areas, which each have eight terminals. The object database (minus loan objects) is currently being hosted by SCRAN and is available on the V&A's web-site. The intention is to try and get the whole of the BGO on the web-site in future.

Style Guide This deals with 21 different historic design styles that feature in the British Galleries displays, e.g. Baroque and Rococo. The overall structure was developed by an educator, with content being written by a curator and edited by the educator. It includes sections on what to look for to identify each style, examples of buildings or interiors in the style, and people who were significant for the different styles. There is also a quiz for visitors to test their knowledge. The Style Guide is available on nine kiosks throughout the galleries so that it relates directly to the objects on display. There are two, three or more styles on each kiosk. It is also available in the two Study Areas.

In addition there is a digital resource for teachers on the web-site, which was developed by Vicky Mills one of the Museum's education officers (I think Vicky will contact you separately about this).

If you want more information on the BGO, contact Frances Lloyd-Baynes on 020 7942 2626. If you want more information on the Style Guide or any of the other BG interactives contact me on 020 7942 2445. 

Regards,

Morna Hinton

>>> Martin Bazley <[log in to unmask]> 12/13 10:41 am >>>
Apologies for cross posting

Can you recommend any recent or upcoming examples of successful ICT
projects aimed at supporting learning?  I am doing an audit of ICT projects
in the South East region on behalf of SEMS, in preparation for the
formation of the South East Museums Libraries and Archives Council
(SEMLAC).  The idea is to identify successful models that might help to
inform future ICT projects.

Even very short responses much appreciated, with contact details if
possible.   Ideally also a few words on why you are recommending it.

Thank you, in anticipation

Martin Bazley

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Martin Bazley
ict4learning.com
Educational ICT consulting
07803 580 727
http://www.ict4learning.com