FAQ for Instructors: Class Collections Visits
What happens during a class collections visit to the Smart?
While the lesson plan and learning goals will vary, the basic format of a class collections visit involves students engaging with objects from the Smart’s permanent collection that relate to the content knowledge or skills under development in your course.
How can I request a class collections visit?
Class collections visits should be requested using our online form. We ask for requests to be submitted at least one week before the academic quarter begins.
Does the Smart have objects that are relevant to my teaching?
You can explore the Smart’s online collection here. Museum educators at the Feitler Center are also excited to help you choose objects and design learning experiences around them.
Please contact Cooper Long, Museum Educator, Academic Initiatives at [email protected].
What is an appropriate number of objects for a visit?
Six to eight objects is an ideal range for the typical 80-minute class session.
What is my role as an instructor during a class collections visit?
Instructors can play different roles during a visit, though we find that the best learning experiences are those where the instructor is actively and consistently involved in the lesson. Many instructors ask for an introduction from Smart staff, then lead the session themselves. In other cases, instructors co-teach with a museum educator. If you are teaching at the Smart for the first time, we will arrange a pre-class meeting to discuss your involvement in the session.
What should my students do when they arrive at the Smart?
Students should store bulky bags and coats in lockers near the entrance, then gather in the Smart’s lobby. A Smart staff member will lead students to the assigned teaching space as a large group. Students arriving late can be directed to join the class by Guest Services.
Are there special rules during a class collections visit?
Handwritten notes should be made with pencils only. (We can provide pencils, paper, and clipboards to all students.) All food and drink, including water, must be left behind in lockers. Students should also be careful not to touch the objects or lean on art supports like walls and ledges. Photographs without flash are permitted. We will review these guidelines with students in the Smart’s lobby before the session begins.
Will students have access to information about the objects during the visit?
In advance of the visit, we will provide you with a PDF of the object list that contains basic information (e.g. title, date, artist/maker) about each work. Inside the classroom, we will have five physical copies of the object list available for students to pass around. In the interest of sustainability, if you would like a physical copy of the object list for every member of the class, we ask that you please print these copies yourself and bring them to the session.