Archaeology Education: Creating more Effective Materials and Delivery [Knowledge Series}
Education may seem simple – just tell people what you want them to know – right? I’m a good archaeologist; I will show them some data and they will get it. It doesn’t work that way. People construct understanding for themselves based on what they already know and how new information fits within existing structures of knowledge. Preconceptions and misconceptions may be difficult to detect and can block new learning. Alarmingly, sometimes our best efforts can actually start new misconceptions about archaeological practice and content. This seminar explores the basics of human cognition and constructivist learning theory, the foundations of effective educational materials and delivery. Stewardship of archaeological sites, always an important goal of public education, must be based on sound pedagogy and compelling content for both formal and nonformal audiences.