Re Evaluative Report, Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

In the beginning of the project, everybody in my group had doubts whether we would manage to create this game. The whole idea seemed difficult as none of us had done this kind of assignment before. Nevertheless, it helped me comprehend the resources available to me in London. As a group, we were assigned to research the area of Bethnal Green, which was a relief to me and my fellow classmates, as we’ d heard that this is a very nice area and perfect for the project. My part of the project was to research the museums. After exploring the area, I chose The Museum of Childhood. The reason for that was that I simply founded the concept of the museum fascinating, as it awakened my youth.

Throughout the project, I visited the museum with a fellow peer from my group -and several times on my own- and had a glance of what it had to offer. At first, I focused on the exterior design of the building and the general architecture which consists of iron, glass, and brown brick. I then went inside where there were several children’s creations, adolescent pictures, toys and also observed the playgrounds. As I was watching the kids play, I reminisced my childhood when the only thing on our minds was just playing and how this contrasts with my busy life today, since there is always something to worry about. I strongly believe that this museum helps people escape from their everyday lives by taking them back to their childhood memories.

After taking the tour I had taken notes on the most interesting displays and returned to photograph them. As a group, we had certain problems as far as organising all the information we had collected. Moreover, there were times when some of my classmates were missing and so we could not put all of our work together. I knew I could show my classmates my ideas and choices for the best parts of the museum, but it could get frustrating. After all, my main concern was how to create an enjoyable and interesting game with a learning outcome.

In conclusion, I had a nice time exploring Bethnal Green and collaborating with my group mates. After all, any we resolved any problems we had within the group and I realised that although sometimes it is difficult to work in a collective manner, it also gives you the chance to get a second opinion on one’s work and being able to develop more mature ideas in the workplace. Furthermore, I hope after the game the other group will come and, after learning the area through our game, comment on what were the most fascinating displays of the Bethnal Green.



Bibliography

Books

Anthony Burton,Children's Pleasures:Books,Toys and games from the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, V & A Publications 1996

Sites

http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/discover/data/museums/data/bethnal- green.cfm
http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/england/london/entity_136219.html
www.googlemaps.co.uk

evaluative report Bethnal Green museums

The project we embarked on with my peers helped me comprehend the resources available to me in London. We were assigned the area of Bethnal Green and I was individually assigned to research the museums. I explored the area and I discovered that there was only one museum. Nevertheless, this one museum fascinated me as it was The Museum of Childhood and it awakened my youth.

This museum is part of the Victoria and Albert family of museums as I discovered from the internet and has a history of many decades. It was inaugurated by the Prince of Whales way back on the 24^th of June 1872 and its purpose at the beginning was vague. Its focus shifted due to the work of one of the museum’s curators, Arthur Sabin. He was keen on promoting the museum to children and achieved his goal as today, it comprises of the biggest toy collections in the world. However, the official transition came at 1974 when the director decided the museum would be dedicated to childhood.

Following my enquiry on the museum’s history I visited the museum with a fellow peer from my group and took a glimpse of what it had to offer. Initially, I focused on the exterior design of the building and the general architecture which consists of iron, glass, and brown brick. Afterwards, I proceeded inside where there were several children’s creations, adolescent pictures, toys and playgrounds. Whilst watching the kids play I reminisced my earlier years where the only thing on our minds was playing and how it contrasted with my busy life today where there is always something to worry about. I believe that this museum helps people escape from their everyday lives to their childhood memories.

After taking the tour I had taken notes on the most interesting displays and returned to photograph them. Upon returning on the group meeting I discussed the meaning of the photographs and got feedback from my fellow colleagues. From several pictures I had taken we concluded to five of them and I was assigned to find the “clue” that we were supposed to give for the game. It was fun assigning the “clues” as I knew I could guide my classmates to my own choices of the best of the museum and explain that to them in a fun way. Furthermore, after the game they would return to me with their own comment on what were the most fascinating displays of the museum.

Following all the work I did for this project I recollected all the moments with my group mates and realised that although it was difficult to work in a collective manner I enjoyed working with others as I got a second opinion on my work which helped me mature in the workplace.

Bibliography

Books

Anthony Burton,Children's Pleasures:Books,Toys and games from the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood, V & A Publications 1996

Sites

http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/discover/data/museums/data/bethnal-green.cfm

http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/england/london/entity_136219.html