ABOUT THIS BOOK

A rich resource illustrating the key ideas behind learning with things.

This textbook provides an overview of some of the most important approaches to material culture and object analysis to illustrate broader themes and trends in museum studies and pedagogy. Covering diverse topics related to curatorial practice and exhibiting objects, including accessibility, curatorial ethics, colonialism and museums, audience engagement, and histories of collecting, Object-Based Learning weaves together important historical context and theoretical perspectives with practical case studies and exercises. It also includes discussion of timely issues like the role of digital technologies in teaching with objects, the psychosocial role of objects, and the use of collections in health and wellness.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Thomas Kador is associate professor of creative health at University College London, where he leads the Masters in Creative Health program. He is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Community Archaeology & Heritage.

REVIEWS

"This textbook is a rich and timely resource that weaves together important context, clear definitions of key concepts, theoretical insights and ethical considerations with practical examples, exercises and case studies to explore the place of objects – and indeed museums – in an increasingly digitised world, and the value, the risks and the opportunities of their close and embodied study. For students, educators and practitioners, or those just interested to know more about how we can understand the world and ourselves through material things, this book is an invaluable reference. And it’s a good read."

— Dr Jennifer Blunden, Industry Fellow (Museums), University of Technology Sydney

"Object-Based Learning is an invaluable resource for anyone engaging with material culture. The textbook bridges theory and practice for object analysis in an accessible manner, and guides readers through essential topics such as the history of collecting, colonial legacies, curatorial ethics, digital technologies, and audience engagement. The thoughtful structure supports both modular use and comprehensive engagement, with each chapter presenting rich case studies, reflective exercises, and critical questions that prompt deeper analysis and classroom discussion. For students and educators alike, this book offers a flexible and adaptable toolkit for learning – and teaching – with things."

— Dr Nuala Morse, Associate Professor in Museum Studies, University of Leicester

"A must-read for anyone with an interest in teaching and learning in universities and museums. Delivered in an invitingly warm and conversational style, this important textbook provides a rigorous treatment of its subject – the relatively new pedagogy of object-based education for adult learners. Offering an excellent blend of contextual, theoretical and practical information, and drawing on fascinating examples from UCL’s museums and collections, what emerges is encompassing and illuminating; thoughtful and timely. Thomas Kador has achieved a rare thing: a volume both wide and deep in scope, which remains accessible and engaging for all readers."

— Leonie Hannan, Reader in History, Queen's University Belfast

"This is an invaluable resource for novice and expert alike, providing all the tools necessary to engage with objects, in classrooms, exhibitions, and beyond. With accessible summaries of key concepts and theoretical debates, in addition to suggested further reading for every chapter, students from a wide range of backgrounds will be able to dive in and develop their skills and knowledge as far as their interest takes them. An absolutely indispensable distillation of Kador’s vast experience and expertise, as well as a rich source of inspiration for those already working with collections and anyone aspiring to."

— Manon S. Parry, Professor of Medical History, Vrije Universiteit

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to use this book
Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part I: Objects, collections and collecting
1 Learning with things: an introduction to Object-based learning
2 Collecting, collections and collectors
3 Objects, collections, and the colonial legacy

Part II: Understanding and analysing objects and materials
4 Materials and material culture
5 Making, growing and the operational sequence
6 Object biographies and the social life of things
7 Objects, emotions and wellbeing: the psychosocial dimension of material culture

Part III: Exhibiting and communicating with objects
8 Considering audiences: communicating through/with exhibitions
9 Digital technology in researching and exhibiting objects
10 Exhibition ethics

Conclusions: Learning with things, teaching with things and the future of object-based learning