Overview

It is very important for museum curators and museum staff to understand and be able to analyse the activity and behaviour of visitors in their museum. The behaviour of visitors can provide curators with feedback on what is happening at the museum –where do people go, what exhibits visitors spend most time at, what hours of the day are most busy at certain areas, how people interact with the content and exhibits that they have designed etc.

This 6-day course gives participants theoretical background about visitors’ behaviour in the museum, observation methods of measuring various variables, as well as practical guidelines to evaluate visitors’ experience. Discussions, site visits and group work will enrich sharing ideas and exchange of practice between participants.

Objectives

During the course, participants will:
– get informed about the behaviour of visitors in a museum and the factors that influence it
– learn techniques that analyze visitors’ behaviour
– explore visitors’ motivations
– explore the relation between motivation and identity
– investigate observation methods of measuring various variables
– examine practical guidelines to evaluate visitors’ experience
– visit Cypriot museums and discuss with the museum staff.

Methodology

The working methods that are used are highly practical and participatory. The experiential method is used to encourage the search for contemporary pedagogical theories and teaching approaches. The hands-on approach is used to examine real examples, case studies, surveys and simulations. The group activities foster mutual learning, cooperation and collaboration between participants. The discussions encourage sharing ideas, intercultural dialogue and the exchange of good practices between the participants. Social, networking and cultural activities give participants the opportunity to establish professional cooperation and links with teachers, staff, schools and organisations in Europe. At the end of the course, participants fill in an e-questionnaire for evaluation.

Preparation

After confirming registration, participants will be informed about the details of the course (arrival, daily programme). Participants will be able to introduce themselves and bring a few examples of routines and practices that they apply to their teaching.

Course Schedule

DAY 1

• Visitors’ behaviour in a museum
• Factors that influence visitors’ behavior
• Analyzing visitors’ behaviour
• Tour to Municipal Gallery
• Tour to Limassol Archaeological Museum

DAY 2

• Techniques that analyze visitors’ behaviour
• Visitors’ motivations
• The relation between motivation and identity
• Tour to Theatrical Museum of Cyprus
• Discussion with Museum staff.

DAY 3

• Observation methods of measuring various variables
• Practical guidelines to evaluate visitors’ experience
• Group work
• Tour to Kourion with Roman mosaics and other antiquities.
• Exploration of the area.

DAY 4

• Tour to Limassol historical center, Castle area, Carob Mill Museum and other monuments.
• Visiting Medieval Castle & Museum
• Doing activities in the city center
• Data collection for the group work

DAY 5

• Visit to Nicosia, the only divided capital in Europe.
• Leventis Museum,
• Ledra Museum & Observatory
• ‘Laiki Gitonia’
• Data collection for group work

DAY 6

• Design of observation sheets for museums
• Presentation of observation sheets
• Review of the course, certificates

DAY 7 (optional)

• TOUR TO PAPHOS TOWN
It includes a tour with 5-stops (9:00 am– 5:00 pm) 5:00 pm)
• Tomb of the kings
• Catacomb of Agia Solomoni
• Paphos Archaeological Park with Roman mosaics

Courses Fees

480 euro (6-day) & 560 euro (7-day)

Offers on request for longer trainings.

Sessions

• 27.01.2024 – 01.02.2024
• 16.03.2024 – 21.03.2024
• 24.08.2024 – 29.08.2024
• 05.09.2024 – 10.10.2024
• 07.12.2024 – 12.12.2024
• 15.03.2025 – 20.03.2025
• 28.06.2025 – 03.07.2025
• 23.08.2025 – 28.08.2025
• 29.11.2025 – 04.12.2025