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Smithsonian Learning Lab
What it is
Smithsonian Learning Lab is a free web platform for exploring Smithsonian digital resources, building learning experiences, and sharing them. Its library includes millions of images, recordings, texts, and videos covering history, art and culture, and science. The Smithsonian presents it for teachers, students, and lifelong learners, with listed grade levels from PreK-2 through 9-12. Educators and subject experts arrange resources into collections. Users can copy collections, upload materials, add annotations and hotspots, and create quizzes or assignments. Collections may be shared, embedded in another website using generated code, or assigned to learners; assignment tools can track responses and progress. Collections are private by default, and publishing makes them public and searchable. Listed upload formats include documents, images, spreadsheets, presentations, and text, with a maximum file size of 4 MB. Assignment and Roster tools are available only to students aged 13 or older, and each student responding to an assignment needs a Learning Lab account. The Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology produces and maintains the Lab. Its free professional development programs model ways to teach with digital museum resources and are open to anyone.
For and against
For
- Free access to Smithsonian resources and tools.
- Includes millions of digital resources.
- Collections can include annotations and hotspots.
- Assignments can track responses and progress.
- Collections can be embedded in other websites.
Against
- Assignment and Roster tools require students to be 13 or older.
- Responding students each need a Learning Lab account.
- Uploads are limited to 4 MB per file.
The verdict
The Lab combines a large Smithsonian resource library with tools for creating, adapting, and sharing learning activities. Its assignment tools have specific age and account requirements, and uploaded files have a 4 MB limit.
Who it suits
It suits teachers and educators who want to build and share learning activities from Smithsonian materials, as well as students and lifelong learners exploring those resources. Educators assigning work should note the age and account requirements for responding students.
Plans and prices
Free
Free access to Smithsonian digital resources and Learning Lab tools
Read 5 Oct 2026 · learninglab.si.edu
On the record
- Audience
- The Smithsonian describes the Lab as a digital platform for teachers, students, and lifelong learners.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Collections
- Educators and subject experts organize resources into collections for teaching and learning.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Collection tools
- Users can copy collections, upload resources, add annotations and hotspots, and build quizzes and assignments.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Collection visibility
- The guide says collections are private by default; publishing makes them public and searchable.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Educator support
- The home page says Cultivating Learning professional development programs model teaching techniques for using digital museum resources and are free and open to anyone.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Help contact
- The Getting Started guide lists [email protected] for questions or comments.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Users can embed an interactive collection in another website using generated code.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology produces and maintains the Learning Lab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy limit
- The guide says only students aged 13 or older can use Assignment and Roster tools, and each responding student needs a Learning Lab account.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The Lab lets people discover Smithsonian digital resources, create learning experiences with online tools, and share their work.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Resource library
- The home page says the Lab includes millions of Smithsonian images, recordings, texts, and videos spanning history, art and culture, and science.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Users can publish collections, embed resources or collections, share them online, and assign collections to learners while tracking responses and progress.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
- Supported uploads
- The 2019 guide lists document, image, spreadsheet, presentation, and text upload formats and a maximum file size of 4 MB.learninglab.si.edu · read 5 Oct 2026
