We’re continuing our 2026 season of Educast3000 with a deep dive into how digital transformation is reshaping one of our oldest educational institutions: the museum.
In our latest episode, we chatted with Katherine Burton-Jones, Director of the Museum Studies Program at the Harvard Extension School. Katherine describes her field as a “crazy little world of objects, stories, and technology”, making it a a powerful blueprint for experiential learning in any discipline.
To prepare the next generation of curators and educators, Katherine emphasizes that technical literacy is no longer optional; it’s the foundation of modern storytelling (and isn't all storytelling just meaning-making in action?). Her key insights on creating immersive, inclusive learning environments include:
- Cultivating the "data-aware" scholar: It’s not just about the software; it’s about the mindset. We want students to see the big picture, connect the dots, and make discoveries. That's learning in a nutshell. Katherine’s students use tools that include real museum APIs to ground their assumptions in facts, which proved diverse leadership directly correlates to more inclusive (and successful, popular) exhibitions.
- The place for "ethical bots": As we look toward the future of AI, Katherine explores the "Living Museum" concept. By training Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide deeper object stories, educators can move from static displays to conversational, "living" archives that meet learners where they are.
- Expanding beyond "brick and mortar": Technology allows institutions to put a "welcome sign on the door" for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility and community involvement in digital design, educators help move us towards making cultural and educational resources are truly borderless.
You can check out the full episode here to listen in on the conversation here.
Any educators using digital tools and applications in their courses and classrooms to students bridge the gap between data and big picture storytelling? Any experiential learning experiments that have led to big wins? Share your success stories for your peers in the comments.
