tablet-enhanced group tours: developing digital docents

05.03.2011Scott Sayre MIDEA 2011 Slide

Tablet-Enhanced Group Tours: Developing Digital Docents

Using the iPad on Group Tours

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Sunday, May 22, 2011


Tablet-Enhanced Group Tours: Developing Digital Docents2




Museum Educator - Ann Issacson

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History> 1990‘s Docent use of gallery-media> 1997 Newton handheld tour> 1998 ArtsConnectEd launched> 2001 Cell phone tours> 2008 Docent symposium - iPhone

demo> 2010 Tablet enhanced group tours

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Drivers> Museum mobile focus on individuals> Interest in facilitated integration of

media in group setting “Social Life of Technology”

> Availability of tablet computers> Phasing out of kiosks > Breadth of supporting rich media

resources

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Areas of Research - Response> Visitor response> Docent response> Museum educator response> Museum-wide response> Community response

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Areas of Research - Obstacles

> Political and psychological obstacles?> Physical obstacles?> Technical obstacles?

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Areas of Research - Logistics> Training needs> Material preparation and organization> Most effective materials> Hardware management> Cross marketing opportunities

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Project Development> Summer 2008 - Visual Art Research Journal> Fall 2009 - HP TouchSmart Prototyping> Spring 2010 - Research and funding

– iPad Released! > Summer 2010 - Prototyping and training> Fall 2010 - Docent training and evaluation> Winter 2010/11 - Full implementation

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Project Phases> Hardware, Media and App Selection> Tour Trials and Observation> Definition of Best Practices> Tour Guide Training> Assessment

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Hardware, Media and App Selection

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Photos and Graphics

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Audio and Video

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Maps

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Searching and Reference

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Ongoing App Review> Integration of all forms of media> Linear and non-linear access> Light table and searching> Organization tools - folders, etc.> Referencing onboard media without

duplication> Ability to add metadata

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Tour Trials and Observation

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Observation assessed:> Presentation strategies with the iPad> Tour guide navigation of content> Integration of content with tour> Quality of content for group viewing> Visitor engagement

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Observation findings: (20 tours)> iPad portability was not an issue> Tour guides navigated content and

apps without difficulty> Screen size, brightness and audio

good for groups of 10-15> Visitors were very engaged and

excited by iPad-based content

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Museum Educators - Sheila McQuire and Ann Isaacson

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Definition of Best Practice

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Best Practices> Judicious use, avoid making iPad

focal point of tour> Develop transition in and out of use of

iPad based media> Hold iPad away from visitors when

locating content> Display screen chest-high> Flip screen to appropriate layout

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Best Practices> Video and audio segments should be

kept from 30 - 60 seconds in length> Narrate video rather than use audio in

noisy environments> Darken screen and close when done> Practice, practice, practice

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Tour Guide Training

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Assessment

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Assessment Tools> Observer checklist and comment

document> Pre-training survey> Post-training survey

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See ebook chapter for detailed findings




Implementation

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Docent - Jean-Marie Burtness

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Initial Project Idea> Sayre, S. & Wetterlund, K. (2008) The

Social Life of Technology for Museum Visitors, Visual Art Research Journal, Pennsylvania State University (34),67 p.85

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Mobile Apps for MuseumsThe AAM Guide

to Planning and Strategy

Edited by Nancy Proctor

With contributions fromJane Burton, Allegra Burnette,

Ted Forbes, Kate Haley Goldman, Ann Isaacson, Sheila McGuire,

Ed Rodley, Peter Samis,Scott Sayre, Margriet Schavemaker,

Koven Smith, Robert Stein and Kris Wetterlund

The AAM PressAmerican Association of Museums

Washington, DC2011

To be released May 23, 2011




Scott Sayre, Sandbox [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

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