October 2020
Intro to Museum Evaluation
Instructor: Emily KalnickyCourse Dates
October 4, 2020 - October 31, 2020
Course Description
Want to be able to collect meaningful data to assess real impact (and not just satisfaction)? This course will provide an introduction to the who, what, when, where why, and how of museum evaluation. The course is geared toward anyone wanting to increase their understanding of the role of evaluation in museums.
Students who successfully complete the course will:
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Understand best practices in evaluation planning, including incorporating culturally responsive design.
- Learn a variety of examples of instrument development beyond a survey.
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Understand the importance of data analysis, interpretation, and visualization, and how to apply them to their own evaluation projects.
About the Instructor
Dr. Emily Kalnicky’s lifelong career interest and passion for developing educational programming and research focused on connecting youth and adults to nature began more than 20 years ago as a volunteer at the Henry Vilas Zoo in her hometown of Madison, WI. She holds a doctorate in ecology from Utah State University, a master’s in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and bachelor of science degrees in zoology, psychology, and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kalnicky has experience teaching youth and adults in the US and abroad, in both formal and informal settings.
Kalnicky has spent her career leading education, evaluation, and research in a variety of museum contexts, from zoos to botanical gardens and conservatories to nature centers. She most recently served as the Evaluation and Research Specialist at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, MN. Before that, she has held many roles at museums and non-profits, including executive director, director of education, and research manager, with a large focus on using data to effectively lead and drive decision-making.
How it Works
MuseumDev offers 4-week professional development courses for museum workers taught by experts in the field. Asynchronous courses allow you to finish readings, participate in discussion forums, and complete class assignments on your own schedule. Receive certificates of completion.