The School Museum as a Catalyst for a Renewal of the Teaching of History of Education. Practices and experiences from the University of Macerata (Italy)

The article analyzes the educational activities which, since its creation, the School Museum of the University of Macerata has developed with particular regard to the audience of university students. As a result of a fruitful synthesis of the most recent trends in historical-educational research, history teaching and heritage education, the current educational activities delivered by the museum offer an opportunity to rethink the teaching of the history of education itself, from many points of view: first, by developing more operational and participatory ways to convey the contents and methodology of the discipline; secondly, by promoting the museum environment as a laboratory for developing transversal teaching competences, which are crucial for today educators; and, finally, by making school history "tangible" and closer to a wider audience and, so, strengthening the importance and role of education in society