Museum Education and Outreach (Winter 2026) - Online Course

Museum Education and Outreach (Winter 2026) - Online Course

Recorded On: 01/25/2023

  • Registration Closed

Course Description 

An AASLH Small Museum Pro! Online Course

At their heart, regardless of type or size, museums are engaging, dynamic places of education. This AASLH online course, Museum Education and Outreach, is about how we can facilitate visitors’ meaningful and memorable experiences in the informal environments of museums. The program looks at the larger umbrella of programming at sites and explores the large concept of who our audiences are, how best to connect with them, and what is needed to develop various methods.

This course requires regular check-ins, sharing and commenting on peer work, and participation in scheduled live chats. Participants will help shape the flow of the course in addition to providing resources and insights on each other’s work. Assignments are made weekly to allow for regular feedback and dialogue. While work can be done at your own pace, meeting deadlines is encouraged to maximize the experience. Throughout the course you will develop a toolkit of strategies, policies, and documents ready for immediate implementation.

  • Week 1: Practical Guidelines Regarding Learning and Museums
  • Week 2: Museum Audiences - Characteristics, Needs, and Learning
  • Week 3: Interpretation Strengths, Weaknesses, and Best Practices
  • Week 4: Education Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation
  • Week 5: Organizing of Museum Education and Outreach
  • Week 6: Youth and Adult Programming
  • Week 7: Leading Staff and Volunteers
  • Week 8: Action Plan for Future Programming at your Museum

Details

SESSION DATES: January 12 - March 8, 2026

REGISTRATION DATES: August 25, 2025 - January 5, 2026

COST: $230 AASLH Members / $330 Nonmembers 

10% discount for STEPS participants with promo code found in the online STEPS Community or by emailing learn@aaslh.org

OPEN REGISTRATION:  30 participant limit. Courses typically fill up before the registration deadline, so register early.

Course Logistics

FORMAT: Online, Instructor-led, Weekly-paced course

LENGTH: 8 weeks

PARTICIPATION: Students should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on readings, video discussions, text-based forum discussions, and assignments.

LIVE ZOOM DISCUSSIONS: We recommend downloading the Zoom mobile or desktop app for this course. 

  • A one-hour live Zoom discussion will be held three times through the course
  • Final dates/times will be determined by the instructor at the start of the course
  • Zoom discussions are recorded in case a participant is unable to attend the live sessions

MATERIALS: 

TECHNOLOGY: Participants will need access to internet and a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to participate in this course. For the live Zoom discussions, we recommend having access to a camera and a headset, earbuds, or other audio and microphone device. Automatic captioning is available in the Zoom discussions.

CREDIT: Successful completion of this course (B or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.

Participant Outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  • describe the characteristics and learning needs of various museum audiences;
  • summarize what we know about learning in museums;
  • assess the strengths and weaknesses of interpretive techniques and program approaches;
  • utilize a system for planning, operating, and evaluating museum educational programs;
  • access resources to assist you in future development of effective learning experiences

Who Should Take This Course

This course is a beginning level course designed for professional staff and volunteers of historical organizations and libraries with historical collections who have little to no experience with developing education programs and goals for museums. Successful participants should be ready to look past traditional methods and challenge themselves to work around site-specific hurdles.

Issues with registration? Please email learn@aaslh.org for assistance.

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Bethany Hrachovec

Director of Education and Engagement

Indiana Historical Society

Bethany Hrachovec, Director of Education and Engagement at the Indiana Historical Society, has been working in informal education for over 10 years. She is a graduate of the Indiana University Indianapolis Museum Studies Master’s program and AASLH’S History Leadership Institute, has been named AMM’s 2024 Promising Leader of the Year, and has served as a middle leader for over 6 years. She brings experience working with small to large organizations including museums, libraries, archives, children’s museums, and art museums.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Course Resources
Course Guide
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Course Messaging Instructions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Instructions on how to set up your privacy and messaging settings for the course.
You must register to access.
Week 1: Defining the Museum and Interpretation
Introduce Yourself
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Share a few sentences about yourself! Let us know where you are joining us from and what your goal is for taking this course. You will want to spend some time considering your goal, as we will return to your goals in our final week's forum.
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Lesson - Seven Practical Guidelines Regarding Learning and Museums
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Week 1 Assignment: Museum Learning Experience Reflection
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 01/25/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 01/25/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Weekly Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Building off the assignment on memorable learning experience, let’s think a bit more about what caused them to be so memorable (both good and bad). There are two main themes people tend to respond with – educators/interpreters and interpretation/signage. What qualities do YOU think make a good educator (or, if you want to do the opposite: a bad educator)? Are these skills that can be learned, or practiced? How does one acquire these skills? How about interpretation without staffing? What makes for a good experience over a bad experience? What are YOU looking for when you go to an unstaffed museum/exhibit/organization but still want to walk away with a good experience and learning something?
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Interpretation Standards, National Association for Interpretation 2018
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Week 2: Museum Audiences - Characteristics, Needs, and Learning
Lesson - Museum Audiences-Characteristics, Needs, and Learning
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 2 Assignment: Audience Learning Activity
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 01/29/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 01/29/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Weekly Assignments are due by midnight Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 2 Exercise: Visitor Observation Exercise (Optional)
Upload 1 files to pass.
Upload 1 files to pass. Weekly Assignments are due by midnight Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
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Week 2 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. You do not need to answer all of the bulleted questions below. Chose 2 of the bullet points to address and answer the questions within those two bullet points. - Using Multiple Intelligences: What type of learner are you? How do you know? - Based on the reading, can you give an example of an inquiry activity that you have participated in or seen at a museum? Was it successful or not? How do you know? - Thinking about active learning: A lot of active learning relies on developing good questions. Using your own site (or a site you have worked at previously), share a few examples of higher-level questioning. - Can you provide any good examples of play at museums you have seen or participated in? - How do you think Covid-19 has affected active learning at museums and historic sites? - Is there anything you would add to the Rights of Visitors to Museums, Sites, and Cultural Organizations? - What is the most important right in the Rights of Visitors to Museums, Sites, and Cultural Organizations? Your response should address two bullet points and answer all questions or prompts within those bullet points. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt,
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Audience Learning Chart
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Observation Exercise
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Exhibit Interactive Observation - Example
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. This is an observation sheet that I created when conducting observational evaluation of exhibit interactives. The exhibit interactive is in a multi-generational learning space, and visitors could self-select to participate in a variety of puzzles in the space. As an evaluation tool, we had specific information that we were hoping to find out, such as how long visitors interacted with the puzzles, which puzzles were more often completed, and whether visitors made connections to the broader context of the exhibit space. When doing observations for observations sake, you want to keep an open mind and record what you see to make connections on how visitors interact and use a space.
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Week 2 Supplemental Resources
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Week 3: Interpretation Strengths, Weaknesses, and Best Practices
Lesson - Interpretation Strengths, Weaknesses, and Best Practices
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 3 Assignment: Strengths and/or Weaknesses
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/18/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/18/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Assignments are due by 11.59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 3 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Choose one of the following two prompts to answer. 1. The best practices in interpretation and programs are broken into four categories in our lesson: interpretation as a transformative communication process, experience design as strategy, teaching through interpretive processes and hands-on activities, and offering multiple perspectives. Using the best practices, describe a museum experience you have had which highlights one of the four. 2. Consider teachers and families. Are there similarities between the two audiences? How does your interpretation change for the two audiences? Your response should address all aspects of one of the two prompts. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 3 Forum on the course site.
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Margaret Middleton's Family Inclusive Chart
Select the "Open Webpage" button to begin.
Select the "Open Webpage" button to begin.
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Accessibility in IT Design
Select the "Open Webpage" button to begin.
Select the "Open Webpage" button to begin.
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Week 4: Education Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation
Lesson - Education Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 4 Assignment: Educational Policy
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/10/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/10/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Weekly Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 4 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Consider the following: 1. Museum outreach can be done in numerous ways. Some of the examples from the book include lecture series, puppet shows, education trunks, distance learning, mobile museums, and more. Has your museum tried any of these types of outreach? Was it successful? Did you reach a new audience? 2. If your museum does not have outreach listed in prompt 1 – have you seen or participated in any outreach from another museum? What did that look like? What did you get out of it as a participant? 3. If you were to develop an outreach program now, what might it look like? Does it involve in person, digital, or hybrid programs? What audiences does it serve? 4. Share any questions you have about the reading or content this week. Is there anything you want to emphasize, or want to discuss further? Your response should address all aspects of the prompt. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 4 Forum on the course site.
You must register to access.
February 5 - Zoom Session #1
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88484513450 Meeting ID: 884 8451 3450 Passcode: Winter2026
You must register to access.
2.5.26 - Class Slides
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. These are the slides from our Zoom class on 9.19.2025
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Excellence in Practice
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Education Policy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
STEPS AUD and INT Performance Indicators Checklist
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Stoke-on-Trents Museums policy example
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
National Print Museum policy example
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
"Understanding Audiences and Visitors" - Indiana Historical Society, recorded webinar
Recorded 08/15/2019  |  60 minutes
Recorded 08/15/2019  |  60 minutes "Understanding Audiences and Visitors" - webinar by the Indiana Historical Society Local History Services
You must register to access.
Week 5: Organizing Museum Education and Outreach
Lesson - Organizing Museum Education and Outreach
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 5 Assignment
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/20/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/20/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Assignments are due by 11.59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 5 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Develop one evaluation question you would ask to better your programming or interpretation. Is this a question you are asking internally? Or externally to your audience? What would be your goal of asking this question? Your response should address all aspects of the prompt. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 5 Forum on the course site.
You must register to access.
Week 6: Youth and Adult Programming
Lesson - Developing Programs for Youths, Families, and Adults
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 6 Assignment: Youth Programming or Adult Programming
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/22/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 02/22/2026 at 11:59 PM (EST) Weekly Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time North America on Sundays. Select either the Youth Programming assignment or the Adult Programming assignment. You DO NOT need to complete both.
You must register to access.
Week 6 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. The U.S. 250th commemoration occurs this year, providing opportunities for a variety of programming with opportunities to make connections with partners, reach new audiences, and educate audiences in a variety of ways. How is your organization preparing for the 250th? Does your organization have plans to reach a specific audience? If your organization will not be making plans, or does not have plans that you are aware of, describe a program idea that you may propose to reach either youth or adult audiences. What partnerships would you pursue? Your response should address all aspects of the prompt. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 6 Forum on the course site.
You must register to access.
February 19 - Zoom Session #2
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8848... Meeting ID: 884 8451 3450 Passcode: Winter2026
You must register to access.
2.19.26 - Zoom slides
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 7: Leading Staff and Volunteers
Lesson - Managing Museum Education Staff and Volunteers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 7 Assignment: Job Description
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 03/14/2026 at 11:59 PM (EDT)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 03/14/2026 at 11:59 PM (EDT) Weekly Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 7 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Answer one of the following questions: 1. What is your institution’s education volunteer training program looked like? 2. How do you evaluate volunteer docents? 3. Have you volunteered in a museum’s education department? What was your experience like? You only need to answer one of the above questions. Your response should address all aspects of the prompt. You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 7 Forum on the course site.
You must register to access.
Week 8: Action Plan for Future Programming at your Museum
Lesson - Action Plan for Future Programming at Your Museum
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 8 Assignment: Action Plan
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 03/14/2026 at 11:59 PM (EDT)
Graded as Pass/Fail | Due Date: 03/14/2026 at 11:59 PM (EDT) Weekly Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time North America on Sundays.
You must register to access.
Week 8 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. In our introductory forum, I asked you to consider what your goal was for completing this program. Did you accomplish your goal? If not, how can AASLH help you accomplish it? Is there anything else you would like to share about you would still like to know? You should try to respond to at least one other classmate. The weekly forum counts as part of your participation grade, so make sure to post an answer to the prompt in the Week 8 Forum on the course site.
You must register to access.
March 5 - Zoom Session #3
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. This meeting will provide an open forum for discussion and connection - we will discuss action plans, questions you may want answered or explored, and have opportunities for sharing knowledge among each other. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8848... Meeting ID: 884 8451 3450 Passcode: Winter2026
You must register to access.
3.5.26 - Zoom slides
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Course Survey and Certificate of Completion
Course Survey
13 Questions
13 Questions Please note the survey must be completed and a passing grade must be achieved before the Certificate of Completion is available.
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Certificate of Completion
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available Successful completion of this course (80% or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
You must register to access.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.