The Blanton iTourAn Interactive Handheld

Museum Guide Pilot

Rolando LopezUniversity of Texas at AustinInformation Technology ServicesSystems Analyst 512 - 232 - 5583rolando.lopez@austin.utexas.edu

Copyright Rolando Lopez 2004. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

UTopiautopia.utexas.edu

”The University is setting the goal of

providing a digital knowledge gateway

to all Texans.

We will provide access for every citizen, via a personalized internet window,

into the resources of our libraries, collections, museums

and much more.” – President Larry Faulkner

iTour Research Question

Can handheld multi-media technology

enhance visitor learning

and satisfaction

Interpretive Principles

Principles– Focus on the Object– Focus on the Learner– Interactive,

Personalized Learning

Object

LearnerInteractive

iTour Project Definition

Pilot interactive Pocket PC museum guide to enhance the learning and overall museum experience for guests.

– four contemporary works of art – engaging and interactive content– rich media - audio, video, text, creative play

Pilot project research findings to inform future interpretive tools at the museum.

Synecdoche, Byron Kim

Untitled (Hands/Stranger in the Village), Glenn Ligon

I Pray and then I Play in the Collective Landscape, Jesse Amado

By the River, Radcliffe Bailey

iTour Project Objectives

1.Define Project2.Art/Technology Research3.Formative Evaluation – Focus Groups4.Storyboard5.Develop Content6.Develop Pocket PC Interface7.Design Evaluation Protocol - Survey8.Testing/Refinement9.Event Logistics10.Exhibition11.Evaluation

Critical Path Diagram

(1)Define Project

(2)Technical Research

(6)Develop

Pocket PC Interface

(7) Design Evaluation Protocol

(3)FormativeEvaluation

(4)Storyboard

(8)Test/

Refine

(5)DevelopContent

(2) Art / Museum Research

(9)Event

Logistics

(10)

EXHIBITION

(11)Evaluation

Technical Details

3 brands of Pocket PCs – Dell Axim X5 (3 units)– Toshiba e750 (2 units)

– Compaq iPAQ 3670 (5 units)

• iTour technology – Interface - Macromedia Flash / Action Script– iTour Usage Statistics – XML, PHP, my SQL

iTour Demo

iTour System Flowchart

Text File

5 iPaqs

3 Dells

2 Toshibas

Macromedia Flash

VideoAudioTextGraphicsInteractive

<XML> file on device

device_1 My Documents folder

device_2 My Documents folder

<XML> file on desktop

MySQL

Zip Drive

Local Folder

Devices

Desktop

Synchronization

DOS BatchFile

PHP

iTour Hierarchical Structure

Technical Lessons Learned

• Battery Life• Fragility• Processor Speed• Creating Media Rich Content• Usability

– Keyhole Navigation

MuseumEvaluation Findings

&Implications

Evaluation Protocol

• Design Data– Usability Testing and Training

• Visitors, Docents, Curators, Technologists

– Beta Testing• Austin Museum Day• 200 museum visitors

• Evaluation Data– Written Surveys – iTour Usage Statistics – Observations

Visitor Reactions to the iTour“Overall how satisfied were you

with your iTour experience?”

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

NotSatisified

Only a littleSatisifed

SomewhatSatisfied

Very Satisfied

What Did Visitors Learn?

Please take a moment to write down

two or three of the most important things you learned from the

works of art you just viewed

in Visualizing Identity.

Quality of Learning Evaluation Scale

A sophisticated description: higher level analysis; deeper reflection

B thorough description/analysis

C three to four facts; low level analysis; personal reflection

D one to two basic facts/observations; vague

F little to no info on work/themes

Quality of Learning

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

F D C B A

Non-iTouriTour

A - sophisticated description: higher level analysis; deeper reflection B - more thorough description/analysis C - three to four facts; low level analysis; personal reflection D - one to two basic facts/observations; vague F - little to no info on work/themes

“Please take a moment to write down two or three of the most important things you learned from the works of art you just viewed in Visualizing Identity.”

Quality of Learning

1. Described works in more detail

2. Deeper level of understanding and critical thinking

3. More connections to their own history and background

In Their Own Words

“Untitled (Hands) forced me to consider the special challenges that gay African-American men face.

Being neither gay nor African-American, I felt like I glimpsed an entirely ‘new’ cultural

vista.”

In Their Own Words

“I considered my skin color alone

(without the rest of me) as a complete representation

of my identity, in a way

I had never experienced before.”

In Their Own Words

These questions resounded within

me when I was viewing

these works.”

“What are we? Are we the same existence in our

perception as in others eyes?

What’s Next?

• America Americas iTour– Grant Proposals (NEH, IMLS…)– Possible Project Goals

(based on funding)• 50 wireless handheld computers• Wireless internet access• 15-30 works of art • Location sensing• Content Management System

• LBJ Museum Pilot Project• HRC Considering a Project

iTour Team

• Sponsors: Dan Updegrove, VP IT & Jessie Otto Hite, Museum Director

• Project Leaders: Anne Manning, Curator & Glenda Sims, Senior Systems Analyst

• Museum Team:– Kelly Baum (Asst. Curator) – Annette Carlozzi (Curator), – Jenny Chowning (Grad Student), – Kristina Elizondo (Manager University Programs)– Anne Manning (Curator)

• Technical Team– Andy Greer (Graphic Design, Videographer)– Amanda Jeronimus (Videographer)– Rolando Lopez (iTour Analyst, Sound Man)– Kara Nicholas (Database, Quality Testing)– Glenda Sims (Project Management, Usability)

Experience the Blanton iTour online

www.blantonmuseum.org/exhibitions_section/past_exhibitions.html#identity

Research Paper available online at http://www.archimuse.com/mw2004/papers/manning/manning.html