Game On: Bringing Learning To Life Through Play

This is a recording of a talk delivered by Dr Ethel Villafranca

Description:

Teachers, educators, and museum Workers, incorporate gaming elements into your learning programs and museum exhibitions! Fundacion Sansó is pleased to host this online talk. Join us as Dr. Ethel Villafranca shares real-world examples on using gaming elements to make your visitor experience and learning programs more engaging. From simple low-tech solutions to more complex digital experiences, discover how Ethel’s approach can help you create interactive experiences that make learning fun and memorable.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

With nearly three decades of international experience spanning the Philippines, USA, and Australia, Dr. Ethel Villafranca has made significant contributions to museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Her diverse roles include positions at prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Ayala Museum, Lopez Museum and Library, and Museum of Chinese Australian History.

Currently serving as an Academic Engagement Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Ethel collaborates across nine faculties to provide transformative student learning and experiences through Science Gallery Melbourne's resources. Her innovative approach bridges academia and cultural institutions, fostering interdisciplinary engagement.

A Fulbright alumna with a PhD from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Museology from the University of Florida, Ethel's academic achievements are matched by her practical contributions to the field. She co-designed and co-delivered the UNESCO Philippines-funded training program on establishing and managing museums that saw over 200 museum workers from across the Philippines participate in hands-on workshops conducted in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. She subsequently authored the groundbreaking "Making Museums Work: A Zero In Handbook," the first comprehensive guide for establishing and managing museums in the Philippines.

Ethel's leadership extends beyond her academic role. As President of the Education Network Victoria (ENVi) of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association and a committee member of the Council of Australian University Museums and Collections, she actively shapes the future of museum education and management in Australia.

Recognized with prestigious awards including the Asian Cultural Council Fellowship and Melbourne International Research Scholarship, Ethel continues to be a driving force in advancing museum practices and cultural understanding on a global scale.