The British Museum and Fathom launch online learning partnership
The British Museum is delighted to announce it will be joining Fathom, the innovative knowledge and education site
British Museum curators and education specialists have worked closely with Fathom
to provide online seminars, lectures and features which will make available the Museum’s extraordinary range of expertise to an ever-wider global audience.
The Museum joins thirteen other renowned universities, museums, libraries,
and cultural institutions from both sides of the Atlantic as part of the Fathom
consortium. These include Columbia University, the London School of Economics
and Political Science, Cambridge University Press, The British Library, The
New York Public Library, The University of Chicago, The University of Michigan,
American Film Institute, RAND, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Victoria
and
Albert Museum, Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum.
The initial range of courses and online-learning opportunities developed by
the Museum with Fathom include a free e-seminar on "Agatha Christie and
Archaeology" to tie in with the major exhibition currently on show at the
Museum, as well as authoritative features on Cleopatra, contemporary Japanese
festivals and, to coincide with the launch of the Euro, the history of European
currencies. Additional in-depth content is being developed for future presentation.
"The British Museum has an established online presence through its own
websites including COMPASS object tours and the Ancient Civilizations educational
sites which support the National Curriculum. The partnership with Fathom will
enable a new type of lifelong learning, providing users with the opportunity
to explore more widely across and between institutions and disciplines. And,
in this, Fathom is an exciting vision for the future," said Dr Carol Homden,
Director of Marketing and Public Affairs, The British Museum.
"We are pleased to welcome The British Museum to the Fathom consortium,"
said Fathom President and CEO, Ann Kirschner. "So close to the 250th anniversary
of the Museum, we are struck by the role it has played in promoting an understanding
of human history and culture to visitors from around the world. Together, we
can use the digital medium toproject aspects of the collections distinct from
those that the Museum has rendered so captivating in its physical space, introducing
new and loyal visitors alike to entirely unique educational experiences online."
About Fathom Knowledge Network
Fathom is the leading source
for online learning for professional development and lifelong learning. Fathom
brings together lectures, interviews, articles, and exhibits by faculty and
experts from some of the world’s leading universities, libraries, museums, and
disseminators of research. Online courses and seminars representing the best
in online education are available
through Fathom, as well as books and other products. Unique reference content
spans all disciplines and fields of study.
About The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the world’s great museums. Founded in 1753 by Act
of Parliament, the Museum contains one of the most comprehensive collections
of art and antiquities in existence, spanning some two million years of human
history. The Museum is committed to making these collections from ancient and
living cultures available for research and enjoyment in the widest possible
manner and to the broadest possible audience. Its mission is to encourage visitors
to compare and contrast human material culture from across the globe and throughout
time, thereby promoting the understanding of world civilizations. Now approaching
its 250th anniversary, the Museum continues to build on its reputation as a
key international centre for scholarly and educational activity.
