museumsandtheweb.com - design

Narrating Culture on the Web: Assisting Audience Participation through Reading Rhetoric and Innovating Online Forum Design

MaryPettice — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:46:30 +0000

MW2012

Mary Pettice, Lebanon Valley College, USA

Abstract

Program Item Reference:

Narrating Culture on the Web: Assisting Audience Participation through Reading Rhetoric and Innovating Online Forum Design

ViMuseo.fi Project. Towards Digital Inclusion of Small Museums

maglaine — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:52:06 +0000

MW2012

Magdalena Laine-Zamojska, MEMORNET / University of Jyväskylä, Finland and Cezary Zamojski, Studio Zamojski, Poland

http://vimuseo.fi/prototype

Program Item Reference:

ViMuseo.fi project. Towards digital inclusion of small museums

Open Innovation and Open Source: A Guide for Content Developers

bobk — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:07:20 +0000

MW2012

Robert Ketner, The Tech Museum, USA

http://thetechopensource.thetech.org

Abstract

There are clear advantages to working in collaboration with outside partners when developing exhibits and museum content. The actual structure of these collaborations can take many forms. This report outlines approaches to engaging with outside talent on three levels of commitment (Casual Contribution, Mentored Development, and Expert Networks) as may be required for different projects. Categories of methods for open innovation can be applied to create a manageable structure for the contributions (Orchestra, Creative Bazaar, Jam Session, and Mod Station models). A range of stages of completion, from ideas to completed content, can be expected from such collaboration efforts. Last, some findings from The Tech Virtual project are described.

Program Item Reference:

Open Innovation and Open Source: A Guide for Content Developers

Rules of Play: Design Elements of Addictive Online Learning Games

davidschaller — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:16:45 +0000

MW2012

Keywords:

games

Keywords:

learning

Keywords:

design

Keywords:

interactivity

Keywords:

interpretation

Abstract:

Over the past decade, games have grown as both a commercial industry, as a field for scholarly research, and as a practical medium for teaching and learning. Inspired by a broad array of research emphasizing the effectiveness of problem-based, anchored instruction, developers have been creating games about subjects ranging from childhood obesity to electoral politics to personal finance. Even former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has embraced games as a way to teach civics to schoolchildren. Games have definitely come of age as tools for teaching and learning.

But we still need to understand how to make learning games fun. For that, we must learn about game design. Given the breadth and depth of this topic, this workshop focuses on a handful of game mechanics that help us move from the kinds of "game-like" interactives commonly found on museum Web sites into the realm of true games. With a firm understanding of these mechanics, we can design online games that incorporate our content and create compelling, even addicting learning experiences for our audiences.

This workshop focuses on a handful of game mechanics that help us move from the kinds of "game-like" interactives commonly found on museum Web sites into the realm of true games. With a firm understanding of these mechanics, we can design online games that incorporate our content and create compelling, even addicting learning experiences for our audiences.

Please note that this workshop will use paper prototyping methods to explore game elements and mechanics. Understanding these elements is essential to design an effective and engaging online games, so our focus will be on design principles, not on production aspects of online games.

Type:

Workshop - full or half day

Rules of Play: Design Elements of Addictive Online Learning Games

Site:

http://www.eduweb.com

Authors:

Dave Schaller

Open Innovation and Open Source: A Guide for Content Developers

bobk — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:27:36 +0000

MW2012

Published Paper:

Open Innovation and Open Source: A Guide for Content Developers

Keywords:

participation

Keywords:

co-creation

Keywords:

design

Keywords:

prototyping

Keywords:

collaboration

Keywords:

open source

Abstract:

The Tech Open Source museum project launched in late 2007 (as "The
Tech Virtual") with the goal to apply the latest in open source
collaboration methods and tools to the creation of museum content. It
is composed of an online platform (a website with user-generated
content) and modeling resources hosted in a 3D virtual world. Offered
as a resource for the museum community as a whole, the project was
funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and is hosted by The
Tech Museum in San Jose, CA.

The ambitions of the program include development of museum exhibits
and content through open contribution by a diverse community of
curators, experts, hobbyists, scientists, and thinkers. This is
accomplished by connecting with individuals, institutions, and online
communities internationally. Thus far the project has involved the
participation of over 20 institutions and 1300 site members, who have
generated more than 400 exhibit designs and video projects.

As part of the grant products we will present a report of these
methods for the museum industry in the form of a project white paper
at Museums and the Web 2012.

The paper includes descriptions of the methods in use and results
obtained by the project. These are summarized in a practical structure
which covers open source approaches for Casual Contribution, Mentored
Development, or Expert Network level contributors. It also explains
how to apply a range of open innovation categories to structure open
source projects.

The paper is meant as a guide for institutions considering open
innovation programs or open design projects.

Type:

Paper - in formal session

Optimizing engagement

Site:

http://thetechopensource.thetech.org/

Authors:

Bob Ketner

Differentiating Online Gallery Spaces within Larger University Branding Initiatives

lrazzore — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:09:14 +0000

MW2011

Lauren Razzore, William Paterson University, United States

http://www.wpunj.edu/

Abstract

William Paterson University underwent a lengthy Web branding campaign in 2010 that unified the online presence of the college. Overall university templates drive the design of every website on campus. While this may be appropriate for the vast majority of college departments and groups, it has remained important for the University Galleries, Art Department galleries and cultural art spaces to differentiate themselves online. Through a series of design phases and hard-fought compromises I have been able to give each of the online galleries its own unique design, while still complying with the overall University branding campaign. Using case studies as models, the paper identifies key aspects for integration into the William Paterson's cultural and gallery websites. By sharing the websites of the University Gallery, the Center for Chinese Art, the Center for Computer Art and Animation and the Art Department, together with the evolution of those sites throughout the process, I will demonstrate keys ways for online galleries to differentiate themselves within an overarching design scheme while still complying with university branding goals.

Keywords: design, branding, university galleries, content management systems, web design

Program Item Reference:

Differentiating Online Gallery Spaces within Larger University Branding Initiatives

Prototype an Interactive Exhibit in 90 Minutes

biblio — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:34:54 +0000

Ketner, B., & Stephenson R. (2010). Prototype an Interactive Exhibit in 90 Minutes. (Trant, Jennifer, David Bearman, Ed.).Museums and the Web 2010. Proceedings.

Mini-Workshop on Grid-Based Web Design

dbear — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:42:59 +0000

Type:

Session

Programs:

Using Grid-Based Web Design to Optimize Content Authoring and Presentation

Date & Time:

April 8, 2011 - 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Location:

Commonwealth C/D

design

Web design

grids

Required fields are marked with a red asterisk (*).

A confirmation of your registration will be sent to your email address. Please print it out and bring it to the conference.

You will not receive registration confirmation by regular mail.

If you do not receive your confirmation today, please contact us.

Archives & Museum Informatics EIN: 77-0708617; GST / BN 887978914

Description

Grid-based web design and the corresponding tools provide an accelerated path for web designers, developers, and content authors alike with the added benefit of providing a cleaner and more structured presentation to web site visitors....

Designing Games

dbear — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:46:26 +0000

Type:

Workshop

Programs:

Rules of Play: Design Elements of Addictive Online Learning Games

Tech Level:

No specialized technical skills needed

Date & Time:

April 6, 2011 - 9:00am - 12:30pm

Location:

Washington B

workshop

morning

wednesday

games

design

morning workshop

Required fields are marked with a red asterisk (*).

A confirmation of your registration will be sent to your email address. Please print it out and bring it to the conference.

You will not receive registration confirmation by regular mail.

If you do not receive your confirmation today, please contact us.

Archives & Museum Informatics EIN: 77-0708617; GST / BN 887978914

Description

Open Exhibits Tools: a Bootcamp

jspadaccini — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:23:35 +0000

MW2011

Keywords:

open exhibits

Keywords:

Flash

Keywords:

flex

Keywords:

actionscript

Keywords:

multitouch

Keywords:

design

Abstract:

Open Exhibits (www.openexhibits.org) is a National Science Foundation-funded initiative to develop a library of free and open multitouch-enabled software modules for exhibit development. Built using the popular Adobe Flash and Flex authoring tools, museum professionals can create multitouch and multiuser exhibits more easily. In this half-day workshop, you'll learn how to get started building multitouch applications with the Open Exhibits toolset.

You’ll receive the free Open Exhibits Core software that provides support for multitouch gestures and includes a built-in multitouch simulator. We'll help you set up your environment and provide an orientation to tools and concepts of the Open Exhibits framework. Along with Open Exhibit Core, modules and templates are provided to help construct multitouch and multiuser exhibits.

We'll explore free modules and templates and see how they are structured and how they can be easily customized. You'll have an opportunity to build some basic applications with Open Exhibits modules. These versatile exhibit modules function in a variety of ways. They can handle media elements and connect to social sites and Web services such as Flickr, YouTube, and Google Maps or they can be user-interface elements such as onscreen keyboards and menus.

We will publish some of the customized modules and templates and see how they perform on a variety of multitouch hardware. We will try out these applications on consumer dual-touch computers and true multitouch LCD screens and a large multitouch table. We'll also show some examples of Open Exhibits software running on Android tablets and phones. You’ll leave the workshop with an understanding of how Open Exhibits works and what is required to create custom exhibits.

*It is recommended that you take the Multitouch and Multiuser Design half-day workshop before this afternoon session. You should have ActionScript experience and you should bring a laptop with Flash and text editor installed to get the most out of this hands-on workshop.

Type:

Workshop - full or half day

OpenExhibits Tools Bootcamp

Site:

http://www.openexhibits.org

Authors:

Jim Spadaccini

Paul Lacey

Multitouch and Multiuser Design

jspadaccini — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:20:53 +0000

MW2011

Keywords:

design

Keywords:

usability

Keywords:

user interface

Keywords:

multitouch

Keywords:

multiuser

Keywords:

open exhibits

Abstract:

Multitouch and multiuser exhibits are changing the ways in which visitors interact with computer-based exhibits in museums. This half-day workshop will explore the technology and design aspects of multitouch, multiuser exhibit development.

Multitouch exhibits allow designers to move away from traditional graphical user-interfaces and incorporate more natural and intuitive controls. Shared surface computing (multitouch, multiuser environments) presents a new complexity in design: encouraging collaboration and communication among multiple visitors may take precedence over traditional interface concepts such as designing efficient ways for individuals to navigate or accomplish tasks.

In this half-day workshop, we'll explore a variety of multitouch technologies including off-the-shelf multitouch-enabled PCs and mobile devices, along with a look under the hood of our newest custom-built large-format touch table. Participants will see a variety of examples and prototypes, including many that use Web-based technologies. We'll see how multitouch technology is used to browse multimedia elements, RSS Feeds, mapping services, and other Web-based applications and mash-ups.

Finally, we'll explore the design challenges that shared surface computing and multitouch technologies present. We'll examine some traditional computer-based exhibits and conceptualize how they might be designed differently with multitouch and collaborative capabilities in mind. Through, an engaging rapid design exercise we'll explore and discuss the conceptual, informational, and user-interface aspects of multitouch and multi-user design.

In addition, we will provide a brief introduction to Open Exhibits (www.openexhibits.org), a free and open software initiative for exhibit development in Adobe Flash and Flex.

Type:

Workshop - full or half day

Multi-touch and multi-user design - FULL

Site:

http://www.openexhibits.org

Authors:

Jim Spadaccini

Paul Lacey

From Knowledge to Narrative – to Systems? At the junction of game design and museum education

davidschaller — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:43:57 +0000

MW2011

Published Paper:

From Knowledge to Narrative – to Systems? Games, Rules and Meaning-making

Keywords:

games

Keywords:

education

Keywords:

education

Keywords:

design

Keywords:

learning

Keywords:

constructivism

Keywords:

narrative

Abstract:

Laura Robert's landmark book "From Knowledge to Narrative" (Roberts, 1997) analyzed a paradigm shift in museum exhibition in the late 20th century as educators moved museums from traditional methods of knowledge transmission to constructivist interpretive methods such as narrative. Today, museum educators wishing to adopt game-based learning methods face a similar challenge: to move from now-familiar narrative methods to a systems-based approach. Games are, at heart, a set of rules that define player choices and subsequent consequences. Applying a strong narrative to a game usually results in neither a good story nor a good game. Instead, we must learn to think like game and system designers, finding the rules intrinsic to our content.

In some ways, this shift from narrative to systems is less formidable than was the shift from knowledge transmission, since both narrative and systems are rooted in constructivism, the notion that learning is, as Hein (1998) says, “is not a simple addition of items into some sort of mental data bank but a transformation of schemas in which the learner plays an active role and which involves making sense out of a range of phenomena.” Games, one could argue, are even more constructivist than narratives, since the player's role is by definition active, evaluating various phenomena to inform successful tactics to win the game.

Nevertheless, this shift from narrative to systems is often difficult for museum educators, particularly art and history educators schooled in the humanities rather than science. Exhibits and education materials generally explore the idiosyncrancies of a given topic, whether they be the expressive and interpretive aspects of an artwork or the narrative arc of an historical event. The meaning to be made from this approach is powerful, often pulling us back in even when we struggle toward a systems approach. For example, inspired by game designer Sid Meier's fabled definition of a good game as "a series of interesting choices," we might use a "choose your own adventure" branching story design. This approach appears to serve both the idiosyncratic arc of an historical narrative while providing the meaningful choices so central to a game. In practice, though, this approach serves both the history and the gameplay poorly, as it forces players into increasingly less-meaningful choices simply to keep the number of story branches manageable.

Instead, we must adopt a true rules-based design, digging into our content to find even a few rules inherent in the subject matter that can then define the gameplay. This paper will explore this challenge, drawing on both game design theory (core dynamics, rules, actions, skills, chance) and published commercial and non-profit games to show how the heterogeneous realworld content of museums can indeed be turned into exciting and meaningful learning games.

References:

Hein, G. (1998). Learning in the Museum. London: Routledge.
Roberts, L. (1997). From Knowledge to Narrative. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books.

Type:

Paper - in formal session

Games

Authors:

Dave Schaller

Rules of Play: Design Elements of Addictive Online Learning Games

davidschaller — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:29:40 +0000

MW2011

Keywords:

games

Keywords:

learning

Keywords:

play

Keywords:

design

Keywords:

workshop

Abstract:

Please note that this workshop will use paper prototyping methods to explore game elements and mechanics. Understanding these elements is essential to design an effective and engaging online games, but our focus will be on design principles, not on production aspects of online games.

Syllabus

1. Introduction: Why all games are learning games

Discuss the cognitive theory behind games. Compare commercial and learning games, discuss the value of game genres.

2. What makes games fun?

Discuss the pleasures that games provide (fantasy, anticipation, possibility, challenge, discovery, surprise, etc.).

3. Game mechanics

Discuss six game mechanics: space, rules, objects, actions, skills, and chance.

Examine how rules create emergent gameplay. Compare real skills and virtual skills. Explore the ways that randomness makes players feel powerful instead of helpless. Compare these game mechanics with those in typical game-like museum interactives.

4. Design Exercise

Breaking into groups of 3-4, explore game mechanics by modifying a simple paper-based learning game. Regrouping, discuss the impact of simple changes and how they affect gameplay.

5. Meaningful choices

Explore techniques to provide meaningful choices and consequences without creating cumbersome branching storylines.

6. Design Exercise

Breaking into small groups, redesign a familiar game to make the choices more meaningful.

7. Beyond the game

Discuss ways to leverage gameplay experience to consolidate learning beyond the game (online forums, onsite connections, etc.)

Open forum for additional questions and discussion.

Type:

Workshop - full or half day

Designing Games

Authors:

Dave Schaller

The Web site Development Process at the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles

ngamble — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:02:35 +0000

Levy, W., Barrett C., & Thompson S. (2002). The Web site Development Process at the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles. (David Bearman, Trant, Jennifer, Ed.).Museums and the Web 2002: Proceedings.

Implementing the Cognitive Layer of a Hypermedia

jtrant — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:18:22 +0000

Signore, O., Bartoli R., Fresta G., & Loffredo M. (1997). Implementing the Cognitive Layer of a Hypermedia. Museum Interactive Multimedia 1997: cultural heritage systems design and interfaces. Selected Papers from ichim97.

Extended Engagement - Real Time, Real Place in Cyberspace

jtrant — Thu, 31 May 2007 02:15:22 +0000

Thomas, S., & Friedlander L. (1995). Extended Engagement - Real Time, Real Place in Cyberspace. (David Bearman, Ed.).Multimedia Computing and Museums: Selected Papers from the Third International Conference on Hypermedia and Interactivity in Museums (ICHIM'95 / MCN '95), Volume 1.

Multimedia in Public Space

jtrant — Wed, 02 May 2007 01:07:08 +0000

Semper, R., & Woolsey K. (1991). Multimedia in Public Space. (David Bearman, Ed.).Hypermedia & Interactivity in Museums.

Museum As Ecology: A Case Study Analysis Of An Ambient Intelligent Museum Guide

jtrant — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:57:39 +0000

Wakkary, R., & Evernden D. (2005). Museum As Ecology: A Case Study Analysis Of An Ambient Intelligent Museum Guide. (Trant, Jennifer, David Bearman, Ed.).Museums and the Web 2005: Proceedings.

The Extended Museum Visit: Documenting and Exhibiting Post-Visit Experiences

jtrant — Wed, 02 May 2007 00:57:39 +0000

Taxén, G., & Frécon E. (2005). The Extended Museum Visit: Documenting and Exhibiting Post-Visit Experiences. (Trant, Jennifer, David Bearman, Ed.).Museums and the Web 2005: Proceedings.