John Howard Falk (born December 6, 1948) is Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation[1] and Sea Grant Professor Emeritus of Free-Choice Learning at
Oregon State University.[2][3] He's a leading expert on "free-choice learning," learning guided by a person's needs and interests. At the
Smithsonian Institution's Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies at
Edgewater, Maryland, Falk spent over 13 years "studying lawns and how man relates to them."[4] His current research focuses on the community impacts of museums, libraries, zoos, and aquariums; understanding the reasons people utilize free-choice learning settings during their spare time; and helping cultural institutions rethink their educational positioning in the contemporary era.
Books
Falk, J.H. (2021). "The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being" Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
Falk, J.H. & Sheppard, B. (2006) Thriving in the Knowledge Age: New business models for museums and other cultural institutions. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Caban, G., Scott, C., Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2003) Museums and Creativity: A study into the role of museums in design education. Sydney, AU: Powerhouse Publishing.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2002) Lessons without Limit: How free-choice learning is transforming education. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Falk, J.H. (Ed) (2001) Free-Choice Science Education: How We Learn Science Outside of School. New York, NY: Teacher's College Press, Columbia University.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2000) Learning from Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Falk, J.H. & Rosenberg, K. (1999). Bite-Sized Science. Chicago, IL:
Chicago Review Press.
Dierking, L.D., Falk, J.H., Holland, Fisher, S., Schatz, D. & Wilke, L. (1997). Collaborations: Critical Criteria for Success. Washington, DC:
Association of Science-Technology Centers.
Falk, J.H., Pruitt, R. II, Swift, K. & Katz, T. (1996). Bubble Monster and other science fun. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (Ed.) (1995). Public Institutions for Personal Learning: Establishing a Research Agenda. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums
Falk, J.H. (1993) Factors Influencing Leisure Decisions: The Use of Museums by African Americans. Washington, DC:
American Association of Museums.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (1992). The Museum Experience. Washington, DC: Whalesback Books.
Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1989). Still More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1988). More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
John Howard Falk (born December 6, 1948) is Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation[1] and Sea Grant Professor Emeritus of Free-Choice Learning at
Oregon State University.[2][3] He's a leading expert on "free-choice learning," learning guided by a person's needs and interests. At the
Smithsonian Institution's Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies at
Edgewater, Maryland, Falk spent over 13 years "studying lawns and how man relates to them."[4] His current research focuses on the community impacts of museums, libraries, zoos, and aquariums; understanding the reasons people utilize free-choice learning settings during their spare time; and helping cultural institutions rethink their educational positioning in the contemporary era.
Books
Falk, J.H. (2021). "The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being" Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
Falk, J.H. & Sheppard, B. (2006) Thriving in the Knowledge Age: New business models for museums and other cultural institutions. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Caban, G., Scott, C., Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2003) Museums and Creativity: A study into the role of museums in design education. Sydney, AU: Powerhouse Publishing.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2002) Lessons without Limit: How free-choice learning is transforming education. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Falk, J.H. (Ed) (2001) Free-Choice Science Education: How We Learn Science Outside of School. New York, NY: Teacher's College Press, Columbia University.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2000) Learning from Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
Falk, J.H. & Rosenberg, K. (1999). Bite-Sized Science. Chicago, IL:
Chicago Review Press.
Dierking, L.D., Falk, J.H., Holland, Fisher, S., Schatz, D. & Wilke, L. (1997). Collaborations: Critical Criteria for Success. Washington, DC:
Association of Science-Technology Centers.
Falk, J.H., Pruitt, R. II, Swift, K. & Katz, T. (1996). Bubble Monster and other science fun. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (Ed.) (1995). Public Institutions for Personal Learning: Establishing a Research Agenda. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums
Falk, J.H. (1993) Factors Influencing Leisure Decisions: The Use of Museums by African Americans. Washington, DC:
American Association of Museums.
Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (1992). The Museum Experience. Washington, DC: Whalesback Books.
Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1989). Still More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1988). More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.