Future of WDM could look more digital due to pandemic’s effects
The closure of all Western Development Museums (WDM) in Saskatchewan has given employees the time to learn how best to inform, educate and reach people using digital methods.
A software company called Cuseum has been offering the organization webinars and courses that discuss, among other things, how to move educational programming to digital platforms, explained Karla Rasmussen, the education and public programs co-ordinator in Moose Jaw. Other webinars have focused on helping staff think outside the box to reach people at home; how to more effectively use social media; and how to translate tours to the digital age.
“It’s been very interesting …,” Rasmussen said, adding these professional development programs have been of great interest. “With the change in the way we are doing things now, and into the future, those professional development opportunities I’m hoping will give me the tools to go forward with this in our new world, our new normal.”
Working from home has been a different and bizarre experience for Rasmussen since she hasn’t worked full-time from home before. It has been a learning curve in managing a new routine of work, catching up on projects at home, and fulfilling family commitments. She has even acted as an educational assistant with her children.
“I am very much a people person. I love interacting with the public — with our visitors — at the museum. And that’s certainly changed,” she added. Rasmussen has worked with her colleagues and the organization’s education department to develop new ideas to promote to the public. Many ideas have been posted to the WDM’s website and Facebook page. Most school programming activities have been pulled and supplemental learning home projects have been uploaded.
For example, the WDM hired Regina artist Timothy Senko to update the graphics and illustrations used for school and public youth programs. These colouring pages were going to be released in September, but with students now learning from home, the first five colouring pages have been released early.
Some crafts and projects normally done in-person have been moved online as well. This includes connect-the-dot pages that reveal artifacts; making train conductor’s hat; and making a winter travel caboose. Not a train caboose, Rasmussen said, but a wood-structure on skis — a mini school bus, essentially — that horses pulled during the winter to pick up students from their farms.
Further activities include spotting the differences between pictures; learning about agriculture in Saskatchewan; watching a storytime video featuring staff reading their favourite book; and a video project that explores heritage recipes and how to make them.
“We always say there is lots to do at the museum. We are finding that there is a lot to do when we’re taken out of the routine of booking school tours (and other programming),” continued Rasmussen. “It has changed … the way we do (things), for sure.”
The future will look different for the WDM once the shutdown is lifted and things will not be the same when the doors reopen, but the webinars have helped create a roadmap for the future, Rasmussen said.
For example, if the museum brings in a speaker, that presentation could also be livestreamed or a portion recorded and then posted online. Furthermore, the pandemic has made WDM employees and management more cognizant of the accessibility of the buildings. Rasmussen pointed out some visitors face barriers that are visual or physical.
“Doing things in a different way, it helps us maybe walk in those people’s shoes a little bit more and re-evaluate the way we’re delivering our programs and that sort of thing,” she added. “Only good can come of this and we’re trying to look for those silver linings.”