Re-creating the Museum Space: Distance Learning in Museums during Covid-19 Lockdown

Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, from March to July 2020, museums opened their collections and buildings online and digitalized museum objects. People had a chance to visit and experience museums, no matter their geographic location. Museums are lifelong learning spaces and they explore different ways to connect their users. During the lockdown, cyber space was not there as an alternative environment but the only way for the museum visit and learning experience which offers information, socialization and stimulate senses through a screen. Even if it is real or virtual, learning cannot be separated from space. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of virtual museum space and examine the creative practices in online museum learning to find the experiences available a time of crisis. The selection of “Kids in Museums” initiative for museums in times of the lockdown are discussed with previous internationally significant digital museum practices. In the results section, virtual museum space is stated as a medium for museum distance learning and some key findings to enhance virtual space and distance museum learning are discussed.