Children designers in the museum: applying participatory design for the development of an art education program

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we describe the application of a participatory design methodology with children, developed within the context of an informal educational institution, specifically the National Gallery of Art in Athens, Greece. A group of 11 year-olds spent part of their summer learning about art conservation in order to design an on-line art education program targeted to children of their age. This paper presents the research, design, and prototype development process, and discusses the lessons-learned, challenges, and future possibilities of this methodology with respect to the design of museum education programs and exhibitions.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: User-centered design

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology; Prototyping

Keywords:
art conservation, children designers, informal education, museums, participatory design