School and Community Partnerships: Collaborating Through the Development of Interactive, Multimedia Learning Resources

Abstract

In conducting an evaluation of a new partnership between a school and an art museum, the research team discovered the value of technology in generating the motivation for collaboration between an educational and a community organisation. Together, these community~based groups had agreed to share their resources and their expertise in the creation of a CD-ROM based 'virtual museum'. This interactive multi-media product was designed to allow those without access to the museum, to visit the 'art treasures' therein. The partnership provided school students with access to community experts, involvement in the development of advancedtechnologies and experience in team work, task management and problem solving. The school benefited from having the positive potential of community partnerships in achieving educational objectives confirmed at the same time as gaining a valuable resource for future use. As a direct result of this project, the museum recognised increased exposure in the community and received a perpetual resource (the Virtual Museum CD) available for future sale and community education purposes. The predominantly graduate student research team gained a clear understanding of the processes inherent in successful school and community partnerships. The potential for this type of technology based partnership to enhance the lives of all students, including rural and isolated students, is only just beginning to be realised.