Evaluating tangible and multisensory museum visiting experiences: lessons learned from the meSch project

Areti Damala, Merel van der Vaart, Loraine Clarke, Eva Hornecker, Gabriela Avram, Hub Kockelkorn, Ian Ruthven

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of tangible and embodied interaction for encouraging a multisensory engagement with museum objects and artefacts on display, by means of focusing on the subtleties of devising and planning for evaluation and audience research. Measuring the impact of new technologies is one of the main challenges identified in the 2015 NMC Horizon report (Museum Edition). The challenge is even greater for emerging concepts, technologies, and approaches, such as the use of tangible and embodied interaction in museums and other Cultural Heritage settings. Taking as an example two case-studies from the EU meSch project, from Museon and Allard Pierson Museum in the Netherlands, we discuss our plan for devising and carrying out audience research so as to “document,” analyse, and interpret the impact of digitally enhanced, tangible, embodied, and multisensory museum visiting experiences. Our intention is to provide an honest account of the different strengths and weaknesses encountered for all evaluation methodologies that were used, namely observations, interviews, video data, questionnaires, meaning maps, and post-visit interviews. We also share and discuss lessons learned, insights and best practices that could be of benefit for museum and audience research professionals.
Original languageEnglish
Pages1-18
Number of pages18
Publication statusPublished - 6 Apr 2016
EventMuseums and the Web 2016 - Los Angeles, United States
Duration: 6 Apr 20169 Apr 2016

Conference

ConferenceMuseums and the Web 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles
Period6/04/169/04/16

Keywords

  • museum
  • interaction design
  • evaluation
  • embodied interaction
  • tangible interaction
  • multisensoriality
  • audience research

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