VISITOR STUDIES GROUP: SUMMER SCHOOL 2006
Virtual Visitors and Real Readers - Programme Update September 2006
The Visitor Studies Group is delighted to confirm the programme for the 2006 Visitor Research Group Summer School on 21st and 22nd September 2006 which will examine and explore different approaches to research and evaluation of interactive learning experiences.
Evaluation research in contemporary free-learning environments - Virtual versus Reality.
How can we evaluate the power of experiential learning against a backdrop of an obsession with the virtual, push-button, touch-screen world? Methods of evaluation have been developed separating these two domains, and considering these as mutually exclusive environments, but are they? Are the methods used to research and evaluate the virtual world transferable to the experiential domain? Can an interactive exhibit be evaluated using methods designed for experiential learning environments?
Hosted by the award winning At-Bristol Science Centre, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB
The two-day event will consist of:
o Day One (21-9-06 10:00 - 17:00)
o The Engaged Tone. Andrew McIntyre (Morris Hargreaves McIntyre) sets the scene reminding us that engagement with interactive doesn't necessarily mean that people are learning.
o Great Expectations. Helen Featherstone discusses the necessity to set realistic goals for interactive exhibits.
o Making usable websites. Martin Bazley (ICT4Learning) describes techniques for refining the structure and overall usability of websites.
o Art and the Interactive. Debbie Syrop; how talk based research has been used by artists to inform hands-on exhibit design.
o Pow WOW! Anne Linneen; how the Bristol Commonwealth Museum uses interactive research techniques to evaluate exhibits
o Generation Genome. Ben Gammon and Emma Cooke (At:Bristol) present a case study illustrating decisions made to overcome challenges of creating an exhibit on something too small to see that will engage a diverse target audience (the tech-literate teens as well as text panel craving older visitors)
o Provocative (and hopefully entertaining) evening debate (18:45 - 19:45) where the summer school will adjourn to the Watershed Bar, to debate research, methodological and ethical issues raised during the day. The debate will begin from the following points:
o High-tech versus low-tech,
o Real learning from real experiences versus learning from virtual experiences
o Day Two (22-9-06 09:30 - 16:00)
o From one frontier to another - Exploratorium to At-Bristol. Goéry Delacôte (At:Bristol CEO) shares his experience of using research in these two leading interactive science centres
o Exploration as a journey not a destination. Ian Russell (Interactive Science Ltd) advocates the importance of encouraging exploratory behaviour in visitors
o Common Pitfalls of interactive design. Harry White (Techniquest) shares lessons learnt by interactive exhibit developers over many years of research and experience.
o Entwined Engagement. Vivien Bell (National Museums Liverpool) reveal how Liverpool Museums have developed evaluation research techniques to become an integral part of their overarching visitor research programme
o Affecting Immersive Experiences. The Eden Project with the University of Exeter describe how they use simple but robust research techniques to monitor and evaluate low-tech multi sensory immersive learning experiences.
To book please contact Mary Phelps on 020 8392 2357 or [log in to unmask]
The event will cost £120 for non-members, £90 for members of the Visitor Studies Group and £65 for Student members. (One day fee £60/£45/£32.50). This fee includes all speaker events, debate and workshops, and refreshments and lunch on both days. Evening meals and accommodation are not included; accommodation close to the venues can be booked through the Bristol Tourist Information Centre. Please also see VSG website www.visitors.org.uk
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For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
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