tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post4323844533231502646..comments2023-06-10T10:09:21.134-04:00Comments on ExhibiTricks: A Museum/Exhibit/Design Blog: Screened Out: Preferences for Technology in MuseumsPOW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05111591384018210698noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-67988285334963333852010-06-28T15:51:11.219-04:002010-06-28T15:51:11.219-04:00Interesting Post. I totaly agree that visitors nee...Interesting Post. I totaly agree that visitors need a low tech exp. when visiting museums. Not saying that there should be no technical equipment present, just saying that the technology should be there only to deliver the content/story/information in a way that the audience will find "natural" for the type of museum/subject. <br /><br />If the "feeling" or "atmosphere" in the museum is relaxed then the information should be delivered in a way that will not deviate from this. <br /><br />Some types of museums like science centers, often have a more "active" way of doing things but care should be taken to allow for more than one type of audience.<br /><br />Some people just enjoys looking at stuff with their hands folded behind them. Others must touch and push every posible button or whatever looks like one. Both types must be given the choice to explore in their preferred way.Mikkel Fog Päevataluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10197120877183899991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-25984564390249171712010-06-25T15:25:36.965-04:002010-06-25T15:25:36.965-04:00Thanks for your response, Susie. I found the Muse...Thanks for your response, Susie. I found the Museum Audience Insight post on the new survey and it sounds like you gathered some interesting information.<br /><br />I'm not sure whether or not I'm surprised by art museum visitor's preference for audio tours, but it would be interesting to see this data further segmented by age and audio device (free download using their own iPod, or a museum rental, etc.)<br /><br />I look forward to reading about further findings!Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16172146371464389670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-20736970893507966422010-06-25T11:23:01.474-04:002010-06-25T11:23:01.474-04:00Really brilliant stuff. Thanks.Really brilliant stuff. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-37950180707225189612010-06-25T10:27:07.596-04:002010-06-25T10:27:07.596-04:00Hi Mandy -
Thanks for your comments. First, thi...Hi Mandy - <br /><br />Thanks for your comments. First, this is an entirely different, more recent, study than those outlined in our book. In this study, we surveyed over 40,000 museum goers from a wide variety of museums. We would never present the results from one genre of museums as representative of all museum goers.<br /><br />That being said, while we asked respondents for their preferences at museums in general, we did also examine results by the type of museum the respondent was responding to. We found a few differences, but not many.<br /><br />For instance, respondents from art museums were significantly more likely to prefer audio tours (38% vs. 28% overall response). Video clips and movies held remarkably steady with art, history-based, and science centers, but was significantly lower for children's museums. <br /><br />And computers? It peaks for science center respondents . . . at only 18%. It is 10% or less for the other main genres.<br /><br />You do reiterate one of my final points . . . that this is a survey of museum goers, not the general public. We don't know one way or the other if technology is perceived as a positive, negative, or neutral thing for people who would not normally visit museums. But we hope to find out!Susie Wilkeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04573909304677109301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-45880888235622813712010-06-25T09:51:51.942-04:002010-06-25T09:51:51.942-04:00Are these survey results the same as those discuss...Are these survey results the same as those discussed in Wilkening's <i>Life Stages of the Museum Visitor</i>? If so, I think it would be important to note the <i>type</i> of museum that these technologies are and are not a preference. While I do think that these results show useful information (and I agree that museums shouldn't use technology just to use technology), I think it would be important to note if the results were gathered from the outdoor history survey. From my experience, visitors to an outdoor venue are looking to be "taken back to a simpler time" and therefore do not like the presence of technology, whereas a video podcast in a modern art museum may be more sought after by visitors of all ages. <br />Additionally, and this is purely from a marketing standpoint, we know that our core visitors are fine with technology, but don't need it - so what about those who are not typically inclined to visit a museum? Could the technology that they are familiar with (an iPod) help segue them into an unfamiliar space (art gallery)?Mandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16172146371464389670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-8162976655847528652010-06-24T23:56:35.546-04:002010-06-24T23:56:35.546-04:00I love these kind of broad surveys of museum goers...I love these kind of broad surveys of museum goers. (Our very small institution could never accomplish or pay for such a study.) They tell us so much. Please try to pull in more of this type of research and feedback. It helps us to include these wider perspectives in our own much more local and specific exhibit development considerations and efforts. <br /><br />I'm pleased to learn that museums slightly lower on the tech scale are still much appreciated. I'm personally working on arts, culture, and history exhibits and hands-on, authentic, and interactive interpretation happen to coincide with their traditional strengths.<br /><br />I always look for ways to supplement exhibits to expand the reach, or expand on the original experiences (like pre- and post-visit) and I am happy read that the original experience seems to be highly valued by such a large sample of museum goers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com