Museums as Supplementary Educational Tools

When I was younger I remember being entranced by learning about all things historical. I excelled in my history classes in middle school and high school. When I was younger I learned all I could about the Lewis and Clarke Expedition. After Lewis and Clarke I was interested in learning all I could about World War One, World War Two and the Cold War. My love for history could not be satiated. In high school, I thought I reached my all time high fascination with all things Ottoman. The Ottoman Empire, the sultans, their battle strategies, political engagement with other nations, et cetera-- I could not learn enough. I read through every book in the university library, ordered every book off of Amazon, and I even bought a few books to read in French, hoping to find something new I hadn't already learned. The apogee of my learning about the Ottoman Empire arrived in college, though, during the semester I spent in Istanbul visiting museum upon museum upon museum. No matter what is available to you via text (books, articles, etc.), there are some things you can't learn without seeing them in person and learning from museum educators, curators and other staff. I will neither forget the time I spent in museums across Istanbul (and Cappadocia) nor the importance of local and experienced educators in the role of learning. Not everyone has the ability to travel and learn from a site first-hand, and it's important for public programming staff members make note of this. With new technology being introduced to the world every day, we have more and more opportunities to connect with a more global audience. I personally, am very excited to see what the world will bring us in the future.