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Peer-reviewed article

Designing ubiquitous computing to enhance children's learning in museums

April 6, 2006 | Public Programs, Exhibitions

In recent years, novel paradigms of computing have emerged, which enable computational power to be embedded in artefacts and environments in novel ways. These developments may create new possibilities for using computing to enhance learning. This paper presents the results of a design process that set out to explore interactive techniques, which utilized ubiquitous computer technology, to stimulate active participation, involvement and learning by children visiting a museum. Key stakeholders, such as museum curators and docents, were involved throughout the process of creating the exhibition, Re-Tracing the Past, in the Hunt Museum, Limerick, Ireland. The paper describes aspects of the evaluation of the exhibition, which involved 326 schoolchildren (ages 9-12-year-old), and which exemplifies important features of the design and the use of novel technology in museums. These guidelines relate 12 experiential criteria to five supporting design informants and resources. The guidelines encompass important dimensions of children's educational experience in museums, including collaboration, engagement, active interpretation, and materiality. While developed in a museum context, these guidelines could be applied to the development of novel computing to enhance children's learning in other educational environments, both formal and informal.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Tony Hall
    Author
    University of Nottingham
  • L. Banon
    Author
    University of Limerick
  • Citation

    Publication Name: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
    Volume: 22
    Number: 1
    Page Number: 231
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: Education and learning science | Engineering | General STEM | History/policy/law | Technology
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Museum and Science Center Programs | Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits

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