Museum Techmuse

NPR Series: Museums and the 21st Century

NPR is doing a series over the next month or so on museums in the 21st century. I had the pleasure of participating yesterday in an interview that will probably air sometime around Dec 22nd. The focus was on childrens' museums and technology, and we talked about topics like parent/child interaction with technologies (what role do parents have in an interactive?), and the special focus on visitors that childrens museums have. This focus on visitor experience is something that shapes everything childrens' musems do, including the use of interactive technologies.

The first part of the series aired a few days ago, you can find it here (thanks to Jenifer Trant for scouting this out).

Children's Museums and Technology talking points

Going in to NPR tomorrow to talk about children's museums and technology. Here are some of the things I'm thinking about:

1. Children’s museums are visitor-centered. This is the starting point for design. Not collections, but who is walking in the door, and what are their needs. “How can we help our visitors?” – a simple question that is powerful when you look at it more closely.
2. Children’s museums in general are wary of technology. Kids have fewer options for physical experiences, and technology is seen a potential diversion from physical experience. (On the flip side, technologies for communication and personal expression are valued).
3. “Interactivity” is most often between people rather than with a particular exhibit or technology. The museum experience is a social experience.
4. An emerging trend: using technology to encourage real-world activity. (includes websites such as Good to Grow and others with specific resources for local activity).
5. Another trend: using technology to value visitors’ own experience. Ask them to share their experience with other visitors.