Revisiting Distance Learning in Museums Three Years After COVID-19 Closures

In 2020, 90% of museums worldwide closed due to COVID-19, and many museums transitioned their programs online. This descriptive study examines how museums engaged in online learning three years after COVID-19 closures. A survey was distributed through museum listservs and completed by 100 museum professionals facilitating distance learning programs in their museums. The results of this study are compared to those of studies conducted immediately before and after COVID-19 museum closures along with a study conducted one year after the closures to explore trends in the field. Survey respondents described many of the same issues related to implementing online programming that were identified in previous iterations of the survey: limited funding, staffing, time, and educational resources. Many respondents expressed interest in further training on technology use, designing culturally relevant programs, and engagement strategies. Additionally, this survey includes the respondents’ self-reported levels of self-efficacy to engage in online programming. Similar to most self-efficacy studies, participants rated themselves highly in most areas. Areas where educators rated themselves less skillful included working with Pre-K students, working with groups with differing abilities, evaluating their programs, and evaluating their teaching. Many participants indicated a need for additional professional development to support their teaching online. Additional insights and recommendations from the participants and considerations for the future of museum-based online learning are also presented.