Art museums as educational resources for Taiwanese adult learner

Environment is a very influential factor in learning. In an informal learning environment like art museums, adult learners can perform much more effectively in absorbing knowledge because the non-threatening environment contributes to better learning outcomes. Nevertheless, many researchers indicated that art museums provide most programs only for youth and art museums are less focused on adult learners.;The purpose of this study was to provide a demographic profile of adult learners, their motivation to become involved in lifelong learning, their preferred learning styles, and the relationship between their preferred learning styles and activities that the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) provides for adult learners. A researcher-developed survey instrument consisting of 56 items was designed and used to collect data from 300 randomly selected adult visitors in the TFAM.;Findings which emerged from this study include the following: (1) The typical adult learners at the TFAM were female, 18--40 years old, from outside of Taipei City, who had completed at least a junior college degree. (2) Most of the adult learners represented businesspersons and students. (3) Most of the adult learners preferred learning styles of Type II-"what?" and Type III-"how?" and their preferred activities in the TFAM were artist gallery talk and artist demonstration. (4) There were no significant relationships between adult learners' learning styles and preferred activities and programs that the museum provided. (5) Most adult learners visiting the TFAM did not access the museum on-line because they did not know there is a museum web site and are too busy to browse the site. (6) Most adult learners thought that the TFAM was a very good informal environment for them to enjoy lifelong learning because they could actively explore their knowledge without concern for their age and ability in a wide and comfortable space. (7) Adult learners who visited the TFAM more frequently and had a better knowledge of art were more positive the museum's activities and programs, and the opportunities for lifelong learning in the museum.