Devon Learning Resources

Statement

DLR exists to promote learning through objects, we all use objects to interpret and understand our world. The handling of 3D items brings to life the topic through size, weight, smell, texture and function.

Educators know that museum objects – e.g. paintings, sculptures, an African headrest, Roman pot, or an old camera - can help children learn, irrespective of age, gender, culture or ability. All objects, even commonplace ones, tell stories. That’s what “Learning through Objects” is all about.

Using images and artefacts in the classroom can be a powerful means of bringing cultures alive, of stimulating pupils' curiosity, discussion, creativity and powers of observation and detection. Whilst DLR has a large collection of original items we also have replicas but even they can be used as a learning tool – understanding the difference between real and replica is a skill in itself.

We have historical, cultural, religious and scientific artefacts, plus an extensive art collection. We make these available to schools through either a subscription or Pay-As-You Use basis to enable teachers to enhance the curriculum and bring the subject alive in their classroom.

To further promote the use of objects we have an Outreach Education facility where a trained teacher provides a range of workshops for children of primary school age in their own classroom. The activity based sessions use real and replica objects.

Staffing
DLR staff include a qualified teacher, a professional carpenter for workshop design and construction and an administrative element. For special projects expertise is sought and bought-in as required, along with a lot of consultation with teachers in schools who give their feedback and advice on new resources.

Service delivery
Based in Exeter, our resources are delivered to schools at the beginning of term and collected at the end; however we are always happy to accommodate special requirements where practical. Our Outreach Education is delivered in schools on a daily basis and early booking is required to ensure suitable dates as over-subscription is common. Larger Travelling Displays are delivered on a two-week basis throughout the term and are set-up in situ by our staff.
Pay-As-You-Use services can be accessed by schools at any time throughout the term subject to availability of the resources.

Contact us

DLR, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Exeter EX2 7NL - 01392 385230

Team Leader - Kevin Harradine
Outreach Education - Hayley Thorpe

For more information:

Artefact collection
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/learningschools/learning_resources/dlr/dlr-artefactcollection.htm

Art collection
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/learningschools/learning_resources/dlr/dlr-artcollection.htm

Multimedia collection
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/learningschools/learning_resources/dlr/dlr-multimediacollection.htm

Outreach Education
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/learningschools/learning_resources/dlr/dlr-educationoutreach.htm