Original title: La materialitat de l’educació: conservació del patrimoni i nous enfocaments de la història de l’educació a Espanya (1990-2020)
Published in: Educació i Història: Revista d’Història de l’Educació, Núm. 38 (juliol-desembre, 2021), p. 105-133.
The article "The Materiality of Education: Heritage Conservation and New Approaches to the History of Education in Spain (1990-2020)", written by Bernat Sureda Garcia and Gabriel Barceló Bauzà, explores the development of historical studies focusing on the material aspects of education in Spain over the past three decades. Over the past decades, there has been significant academic interest in the material culture of schooling, including school buildings, textbooks, furniture, and teaching tools. This shift, often referred to as the "material turn", has been influenced by broader historiographical trends that emphasize the role of objects in shaping historical narratives. The research has been boosted by public institutions prioritizing heritage conservation, leading to projects, museums, and exhibitions dedicated to the history of education. Several research centers and academic groups, such as the MANES Research Centre and the Centro Internacional de la Cultura Escolar (CEINCE), have focused on cataloging and studying school-related heritage. The study highlights the role of memorialist initiatives in preserving educational heritage, with exhibitions, documentaries, and public events aimed at reclaiming historical school experiences. Case studies, such as the legacy of teacher Antoni Benaiges, demonstrate how education history can connect with public memory and social justice movements. There has been a rise in museums of education and historical exhibitions, showcasing the evolution of schooling through preserved materials. Examples include the Museo Pedagógico de Galicia and the Museo Andaluz de la Educación, which serve as cultural repositories of Spain's educational past. The article discusses how historians should engage with public history, ensuring accurate and meaningful representations of past education. The use of digital media, films, and interactive exhibits has been a crucial tool for making educational history accessible to wider audiences. The study concludes that the material aspects of education are crucial for understanding the historical development of schooling in Spain. The preservation of educational heritage not only contributes to historical research but also fosters public engagement and cultural memory. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring long-term support for these initiatives. This research is a call for continued collaboration between historians, educators, policymakers, and cultural institutions to sustain and expand the study of educational materiality.
Read the publication here.
[Informations provided by Andrea Coromoto Velazquez Fumero]
