In previous posts we talked about visiting museums in person. This time I want to discuss the opportunities museums offer in the online space. The recommendations are intended for parents ready to organize activities at home using museum materials, as well as for educators looking for inspiration and ideas for their lessons.
What materials do museums offer on their websites?
Thanks to (or despite) the coronavirus pandemic, museums around the world have actively adopted online tools and begun offering content that anyone can interact with from anywhere in the world. Russian museums are no exception and offer a variety of online programs and events.
All content can be divided into two types:
1) content available live: for example, online classes, full courses, guided tours, concerts. Usually a museum staff member leads the event, and you need to attend the sessions at the time they are broadcast;
2) content available for self-study. These can be standalone websites as well as special sections with various videos, texts, and files for download.
Content can be viewed on museum websites and also followed on social media. Some museums run groups and channels specifically for parents.
Online resources of Russian museums
The State Historical Museum has launched a children's portal that gathers cartoons, games, educational videos, ideas for home activities, and much more. The materials are useful for both parents and teachers.
The Darwin Museum offers online classes for preschoolers that take place on the TrueConf platform. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with biology and zoology in a child-friendly format. The classes are intended for children aged 4–10, last 45–60 minutes, and include interactive elements. Navigation in the Preschool Academy section is not very convenient, so you should allow time to choose a class and find tickets. At the time of writing (late October 2024), tickets for events in November and December can be purchased on the museum's website.
Description of one of the classes. Please note that materials for the activities must be prepared.
The Biological Museum is actively working in the online space. Thanks to a studio located in the museum building, staff conduct online classes for organized groups. On the museum's website you can also download crosswords and other assignments.
The museum's website has a special section with games for the whole family: puzzles, a crossword, quests, and virtual journeys. It's convenient to play from a computer.
During the pandemic the museum prepared themed coloring pages dedicated to the building and the museum's exhibitions. They can be downloaded from the website in PDF format.
The Russian Museum has a portal called the Virtual Russian Museum, which features lectures and images of exhibits, and you can also watch some museum events online. The material is suitable for older children.
Which online resources interested you the most?
The cover image was generated by the Kandinsky neural network
