Abstract
Abstract. The article analyzes digitalization as a complex methodological challenge that necessitates a rethinking of the theoretical foundations of museum pedagogy and the formation of new orientations for science education. It demonstrates that the digital age shifts museum pedagogy from the traditional enlightenment-based model to a space where knowledge is not transmitted but constructed through the visitor’s interaction with digital and material artifacts. Interpretation becomes a central intellectual act through which the museum ceases to function merely as a repository of memory and instead emerges as an environment of research activity and cultural reflection.
The study identifies the key methodological challenges of digital transformation: preserving the authenticity of the museum experience, addressing the risks of technocentrism, strengthening the need for critical digital thinking, and redefining the role of the museum educator as a mediator between different formats of reality. Drawing on examples from European museums and digital projects of the Pedagogical Museum of Ukraine, the article examines how digital resources – from high-quality electronic reproductions to 3D models – shape a new quality of museum interaction by enhancing the visitor’s analytical and research potential.
The synthesis of results made it possible to outline the methodological guidelines for the development of museum pedagogy in the digital age: interpretability, participation and co-creation, analyticity and the networked nature of knowledge, as well as the humanistic character of digital practices. The article argues that digitalization does not weaken the humanistic nature of the museum but expands the opportunities for generating meanings and fostering scholarly reflection. Future research prospects involve the development of an integrated methodology of museum pedagogy for the digital era, combining technological innovation with the museum’s cultural and educational mission.
References
Караманов, О., Сурмач, О., & Шукалович, А. (2021). Музейна педагогіка в умовах онлайн-навчання. Український педагогічний журнал, (3), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.32405/2411-1317-2021-3-58-65
Міхно, О. П. (2019). Сутність терміну «музейна педагогіка». Музейна педагогіка в науковій освіті (Збірник тез доповідей учасників І Всеукраїнської науково-практичної конференції, 28 листопада 2019 р., м. Київ) (с. 74–78). https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/718184/
Педагогічний музей України. (2025a). 100 річні книжкові історії (електронні копії видань 1925 року). https://pmu.in.ua/news/100richni-knizhkovi-i100rii-elektronni-kopii-vidan-1925-roku/
Педагогічний музей України. (2025b). 100 річні книжкові історії (електронні копії видань 1925 р.) Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pedmuzua/posts/pfbid02vVMDiytDFGLDsN1gqULqUkGetjZ8ppsTnZfaH8ZnFFV9eiryvUjitHJpQeddxqzVl
Філіпчук, Н. (2020). Музейна педагогіка – теоретична основа педагогічно-просвітницької діяльності закладів освіти і культури. Вісник Кафедри ЮНЕСКО Неперервна професійна освіта ХХІ століття, (2), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.35387/ucj.2(2).2020.61-70
Deng, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, B., Zhang, B., & Qin, J. (2023). From digital museuming to on-site visiting: The mediation of cultural identity and perceived value. Frontiers in Psychology, (14), 1111917. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1111917
Giannini, T., & Bowen, J. P. (2022). Museums and Digital Culture: From Reality to Digitality in the Age of COVID-19. Heritage, 5(1), 192-214. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5010011
Hein, G. E. (1998). Learning in the Museum. London: Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203028322/learning-museum-george-hein
Hogsden, C., & Poulter, E. K. (2012). The real other? Museum objects in digital contact networks. Journal of Material Culture, 17(3), 265–286. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359183512453809
Hooper-Greenhill, E. (2007). Museums and Education: Purpose, Pedagogy, Performance. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203937525
Kamariotou, V., Kamariotou, M., & Kitsios, F. (2021). Strategic planning for virtual exhibitions and visitors’ experience: A multidisciplinary approach for museums in the digital age. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, (21), e00183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2021.e00183
Karamanov, O., & Bilyakovska, O. (2020). The Phenomenon of Learning in a Museum in a Modern Educational Space: Opportunities of Using Smart Technologies. Czech Polish Historical and Pedagogical Journal, 12(2), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.5817/CPHPJ-2020-028
Koutromanos, G., Koukopoulos, D., Koukopoulos, Z., et al. (2023). Cultural heritage content development and dissemination through a participatory platform: Lessons learned from in-service teachers’ perception. Education and Information Technologies, (28), 3513–3536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11336-6
Milutinović, J., &Selaković, K. (2022). Pedagogical Potential of Online Museum Learning Resources. Journal of Elementary Education, (15) (Special Issue), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.18690/rei.15.Spec.Iss.131-145.2022
Nikolaou, P. (2024). Museums and the Post-Digital: Revisiting Challenges in the Digital Transformation of Museums. Heritage, 7(3), 1784–1800. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7030084
Parry, R. (2007). Recoding the Museum: Digital Heritage and the Technologies of Change. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203347485
Simon, N. (2010). The Participatory Museum. Santa Cruz, CA: Museum 2.0. https://participatorymuseum.org
Talbert, C., Monaco, G., Milligan, D., Naranjo, A., Rappoport, P., & Porter, T. (2022). Lessons Learned: A Reflection of Five Years of Engaging Educators with Digital Museum Resources. Digital Studies / Le champ numérique, (12). https://doi.org/10.16995/dscn.8074
Deng, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, B., Zhang, B., & Qin, J. (2023). From digital museuming to on-site visiting: The mediation of cultural identity and perceived value. Frontiers in Psychology, (14), 1111917. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1111917 (in English).
Filipchuk, N. (2020). Muzeina pedahohika – teoretychna osnova pedahohichno-prosvitnytskoi diialnosti zakladiv osvity i kultury. Visnyk Kafedry YuNESKO Neperervna profesiina osvita ХХI stolittia, (2), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.35387/ucj.2(2).2020.61-70 (in Ukrainian).
Giannini, T., & Bowen, J. P. (2022). Museums and Digital Culture: From Reality to Digitality in the Age of COVID-19. Heritage, 5(1), 192-214. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5010011 (in English).
Hein, G. E. (1998). Learning in the Museum. London: Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203028322/learning-museum-george-hein (in English).
Hogsden, C., & Poulter, E. K. (2012). The real other? Museum objects in digital contact networks. Journal of Material Culture, 17(3), 265–286. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359183512453809 (in English).
Hooper-Greenhill, E. (2007). Museums and Education: Purpose, Pedagogy, Performance. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203937525 (in English).
Kamariotou, V., Kamariotou, M., & Kitsios, F. (2021). Strategic planning for virtual exhibitions and visitors’ experience: A multidisciplinary approach for museums in the digital age. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, (21), e00183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2021.e00183 (in English).
Karamanov, O., &Bilyakovska, O. (2020). The Phenomenon of Learning in a Museum in a Modern Educational Space: Opportunities of Using Smart Technologies. Czech Polish Historical and Pedagogical Journal, 12(2), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.5817/CPHPJ-2020-028 (in English).
Karamanov, O., Surmach, O., & Shukalovych, A. (2021). Muzeina pedahohika v umovakh onlain-navchannia. Ukrainskyi Pedahohichnyi zhurnal, (3), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.32405/2411-1317-2021-3-58-65 (in Ukrainian).
Koutromanos, G., Koukopoulos, D., Koukopoulos, Z., et al. (2023). Cultural heritage content development and dissemination through a participatory platform: Lessons learned from in-service teachers’ perception. Education and Information Technologies, (28), 3513–3536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11336-6 (in English).
Mikhno, O. P. (2019). Sutnist terminu «muzeina pedahohika». Muzeina pedahohika v naukovii osviti (Zbirnyk tez dopovidei uchasnykiv I Vseukrainskoi naukovo-praktychnoi konferentsii (28 lystopada 2019 r., m. Kyiv) (pp. 74–78). https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/718184/ (in Ukrainian).
Milutinović, J., &Selaković, K. (2022). Pedagogical Potential of Online Museum Learning Resources. Journal of Elementary Education, (15) (Special Issue), 131–145. https://doi.org/10.18690/rei.15.Spec.Iss.131-145.2022 (in English).
Nikolaou, P. (2024). Museums and the Post-Digital: Revisiting Challenges in the Digital Transformation of Museums. Heritage, 7(3), 1784–1800. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7030084 (in English).
Parry, R. (2007). Recoding the Museum: Digital Heritage and the Technologies of Change. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203347485 (in English).
Pedahohichnyi muzei Ukrainy. (2025a). 100 richni knyzhkovi istorii (elektronni kopii vydan 1925 roku). https://pmu.in.ua/news/100richni-knizhkovi-i100rii-elektronni-kopii-vidan-1925-roku / (in Ukrainian).
Pedahohichnyi muzei Ukrainy. (2025b). 100 richni knyzhkovi istorii (elektronni kopii vydan 1925 r.). [. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pedmuzua/posts/pfbid02vVMDiytDFGLDsN1gqULqUkGetjZ8ppsTnZfaH8ZnFFV9eiryvUjitHJpQeddxqzVl (in Ukrainian).
Simon, N. (2010). The Participatory Museum. Santa Cruz, CA: Museum 2.0. https://participatorymuseum.org (in English).
Talbert, C., Monaco, G., Milligan, D., Naranjo, A., Rappoport, P., & Porter, T. (2022). Lessons Learned: A Reflection of Five Years of Engaging Educators with Digital Museum Resources. Digital Studies / Le champ numérique, (12). https://doi.org/10.16995/dscn.8074 (in English).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

