Trials and trails: Do HE design students need museum learning resources?

There is a lack of collaboration between universities and museums in supporting design students' learning and a corresponding lack of targeted learning resources.

This paper focuses on the iGuides from StreetAccess project, which has involved the creation of twenty web-based trails for design students to access on personalized digital assistants (PDAs) at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It reports initial findings from the evaluation of two trails, detailing aspects of trail design and their possible usefulness to students.

It suggests that such materials can encourage students to develop object-based learning skills skills which design tutors may perceive as innate or best left to develop with the minimum of direction. It concludes that museums can usefully supply HE design students with guidance and suggest ways of engaging with their collections.