A study of portable computers and interactive multimedia as a new tool for interpreting museum collections

Evans, JA

Abstract

Over the last two decades the introduction of interactive multimedia applications complimenting existing
interpretative techniques in museum displays has become a widely accepted practice. Indeed fixed
interactive multimedia applications can communicate large amounts of often complex information in a
user friendly and accessible way. A drawback is their fixed position. This research project identified the
potential of using a portable computer with an interactive multimedia application manipulated through a
touch screen interface. This thesis describe& the results of a series of empirical studies to design and test
the effectiveness of a portable computer as a new tool for interpretation in a museum gallery.
The central aim of the research, funded by the GEMISIS 2000 initiative, was to examine potential
innovative applications of new interactive technologies for heritage attractions and museums. Exploratory
research progressed from discovery and gaining insights into the diversity of interactive multimedia
applications in heritage attractions to the dynamics of interactive multimedia as a powerful
communication medium. The main study fell into three distinct yet complimentary research pathways
namely 1) to design an interactive multimedia application for a portable computer, 2) to examine the use
and effectiveness of the portable computer with museum visitors, 3) to assess the application as a new
tool for interpretation in a museum setting. The conclusions of this research project are based upon the
results of a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation study, which combined a questionnaire survey,
structured unobtrusive observation and interaction logging.
As the research project was initiated there were few other projects in this field of study, and no formal
evaluation had been published. At the completion, four research projects were identified and are detailed
in the conclusion.
The results of this research project have confirmed the hypothesis that a portable computer with an
interactive multimedia application has the potential to enhance interpretation and to become a new tool
for interpreting museum collections. As the number of homes with multimedia capable computers
equipped with CD-ROM drives and connected to the Internet grows and exposure to computers at work
and at school increases, visitors are well prepared to handle the new technology. The projects results
show ease of use and an increased recall of exhibits by visitors. Visitors experienced discovery based
learning at their own pace facilitated by a portable touch screen computer.
Limitations of the project are discussed and future research topics identified. These included expanding
the interactive multimedia application to cover the whole gallery, exploring alternative interaction
models, evaluating the impact of age and gender, evaluating the portable computer within other categories
of museums, to evaluating location aware positioning systems and to investigating Personal Digital
Assistants as a potential hardware platform.

Citation

Evans, J. A study of portable computers and interactive multimedia as a new tool for interpreting museum collections. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 18, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 18, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1999