Generic Learning Outcomes Refresh

The Group for Education in Museums (GEM), working in partnership with the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) at the University of Leicester, launched a refreshed Generic Learning Outcomes (GLOs) framework in 2026. This marks the next chapter for one of the cultural sector’s most widely used evaluation tools. Originally developed over 20 years ago by RCMG, the framework has been updated to better reflect contemporary museum, library and archive practice while remaining true to its core purpose of evidencing the impact of learning.

Originally established in 2003 with five interconnected areas, the GLOs framework revolutionised the way in which visitors’ experiences are understood by practitioners, government and funders. After more than two decades of implementation and research, it has expanded the traditional understanding of museum, library or archive learning.

The learning experiences offered through museums, libraries or archives are unique: often holistic, bodily engaged activity, supporting participants’ sensory engagement as well as cognitive development. More than that, when it’s done well, the learning experience is embedded through every aspect of the organisation’s work, is open to everyone and should offer something of value for every participant, of any age or ability. The Generic Learning Outcomes framework (GLOs) continues to be a useful tool for museum practitioners supporting them to demonstrate the extent of the impact museum experiences have on all types of learners.

The newly refreshed 2026 GLOs Framework represents a significant evolution, expanding to six interconnected categories with the addition of Sensory Engagement. This updated framework reflects contemporary understanding of multisensory learning while enhancing existing areas to emphasize interdisciplinary connections, social-emotional learning, cultural belonging, and inclusive practice.

The framework can be used in a number of ways, including:
For planning: Focussing on addressing several of the six GLO elements as you plan your programme will help you to create formal and informal learning experiences which are open-ended and flexible, and inclusive of different types of learners.
For evaluation: Collecting structured qualitative feedback and mapping it across the GLO elements will enable you to assess the impact of those experiences on different aspects of people’s learning.

You can find out more about the refreshed framework by visiting the GEM website here. You also be able to download several helpful case studies (1.2MB PDF), examples (255KB PDF), background information (2MB PDF) on how the framework has been refreshed, alongside document templates (50KB zip file), to show you how you might use the GLOs in your own work on the GEM website.

The refresh was undertaken in partnership with Sam Bowen (SEND in Museums), and Cultural Engagement Consultant Jenni Waugh, as well as being informed by extensive consultation across the museums, libraries and archives sectors. The updated framework was tested by a group of museums, with their experiences captured in a series of case studies that accompany the core GLOs resources.