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Explorations in American Environmental History Objective Observation

"Object Observation" is an exercise that was developed by educators at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and refined by teachers at The New York City Museum School as a strategy for honing careful looking and gallery teaching skills. The exercise offers the opportunity to practically apply the theories of museum learning or the process of "passionate learning" embraced by museum professionals -- learning that is object-based and requires detailed observation, extensive research, analysis and synthesis of information, and the presentation of new information in a variety of formats. 

"Object Observation" is designed to encourage:

• closer looking skills, and reinforce the adage "the more you look, the more you will see";
• increase articulation skills, by focusing on the use of descriptive language;
• give confidence in a person's interpretation skills, or the ability to discern and extrapolate information based on observation and previous experience/knowledge;
• stimulate one's curiosity, and the quest for additional information;
• emphasize the possibilities of new research, and challenge a person to begin a process of synthesizing information (from observation, research, questioning, listening to and conferring with colleagues) that ultimately leads to new understanding. 

Observation and Recording

1. Ask students to focus on one image.

2. Using Worksheet: Object Observation, ask students to individually record observations that are objective and subjective.

   "Objective" observations describe what is in the photograph, as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices or interpretations. "Subjective" descriptions can include personal judgments, interpretation, and feelings.

3. Finally, ask students to list 3 - 5 questions about the photograph.

Sharing Observations

Students take turns presenting their objective and then subjective observations. The group also compares and discusses their answered and unanswered questions, and considers the process for additional research (closer observation, seeking label copy, artistic statements, biographical information, etc.).

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