THE SMITHSONIAN LEARNING LAB provides access to digital resources across the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo.
The project contains three major sections: discover, create, and share.
The Discover area provides easy access to the collections. Users can do a general search. Or, the search can be refined to include specific types of resources, exhibits, or resource providers. Details about each item can be viewed. In addition to the standard search, users can also select from surprises, what’s trending, and recent discoveries.
The Create section allows students and educators to build and customize their own collections including annotating and tagging objects. Teachers can create lessons and assignments to go with their collections. Resources including files and websites can be added.
The Share component allows users to share their collections, assignments, and projects with the global community. Teachers can assign particular collections or assignments using password access.
To use the system, teachers and students will need a login. This provides access to a Dashboard of options.
Librarians will find that this website provides an excellent entry point for building classroom collections, resources and activities with teachers across the curriculum.
To visit the website, go to https://learninglab.si.edu/.
