Learning in Museums

LDonline,

My name is Christopher Sperl and I am a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). I am currently working on my dissertation and would appreciate your assistance in this process.

First, let me tell you a little about myself. After working as an elementary special educator in New York for several years, I arrived at UMCP to complete my Master’s Degree in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities. In 1994, I received my degree and at that time I decided to continue along my academic path. I am currently a doctoral student in Educational Psychology and have spent the past several years investigating museums as learning environments for children. Additionally, I have been working and volunteering for the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC for the past five years. My interest in museum learning is second only to teaching children with learning disabilities. Thus, in deciding on a dissertation topic, I have chosen to marry the two and examine families with children who are learning disabled within this informal learning environment.

Presently, there is no research that has been conducted to examine the effects of family visits to museums on children with learning disabilities. Most of the information that is available for individuals with disabilities deals with physical access to exhibitions and less to educational access. I would like to gain better understanding of how to maximize the benefits of museums for children with learning disabilities, and better adapt learning centers to the needs of these children. This research will be of great importance for families (with children with LD), museum practitioners, and the research community. I believe that this type of research might impact educational programs created by museums and in turn provide educational opportunities that have not been available up to this point for children with learning disabilities.

Here is where I need assistance — I would like to locate families with children (ages 7-12) with learning disabilities in the Washington, DC Metro Area and have them participate in this research study. Participation is fun and easy! Involvement will require one short visit to the National Museum of Natural History on an individually scheduled date and a follow-up interview. In return for your participation, your child will receive a museum poster, the children’s guide the the Smithsonian Institution and special privileges in the Discovery Room. If you would like to know more about this endeavor, do not hesitate to call me. You can reach me by phone at 301.314.3290 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Again, I truly believe that this research will benefit children with learning disabilities!

Sincerely, Christopher
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may the footprints that we leave behind
show that we’ve walked in kindness toward
the earth and every living thing.

- inspired by american indian philosophy
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Christopher Sperl
Doctoral Candidate
Phone: 301.314.3290
E-mail: [email protected]