The paradigm of adult education in mediating culture in museums
MúzeumCafé 18.
Andragogy meaning adult education, the principle and practice of lifelong learning, has existed since the 1980s when the system of education involving andragogy was introduced, involving education for life. It has its specific object and research method, and thus constitutes an independent branch of science analysing the theory and practice of lifelong learning. Museum andragogy examines the conditions and potential of adult training and education conducted by museums, institutions connected with museums, NGOs and organisations of cultural heritage protection. It attempts to explore the principles which may make learning, training and personality development achievements. The four pillars of lifelong learning are represented by learning to live together, learning to know, learning to do and learning to be. Museum andragogy’s community development aim is to help adults and adult communities to be able to practise lifelong learning in museums. It strives to help them learn about mankind’s various intellectual achievements and the teachings of other cultures. Museums can contribute to reducing prejudices and to encourage people to respect the values and traditions of other religions, cultures and civilisations. The museum system, building on its complexity, can achieve the goals which may improve a person’s quality of learning to learn – with the help of museum specialists – and a more conscious human activity creates the opportunity to halt the negative tendencies of the modern process of dumbing down. The education philosophical principle of museum andragogy representing museums’ mediating culture is that any of science, art, religion, morals, law, politics or economy can be a starting point for public education in museums and their transfer of culture.