Hidden Museum: Connecting Collections in Context

Scott Billings, (Oxford University Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford), Theodore Koterwas, (IT Services, University of Oxford), Jessica Suess, (Oxford University Museums, University of Oxford), give a talk for the DHOXSS 2016. Over the past nine months Oxford University Museums and Oxford University IT Services have been collaborating on a research project to look at best practice in terms of delivering collections content to users within museum and gallery spaces via their mobile device. A notoriously ‘heads down’ experience, the project has explored methods for utilising personal mobile devices to facilitate ‘heads up’ interactions with objects and displays, creating a hybrid physical-digital experience. In this lecture Scott, Ted and Jess will share the key findings from this research project covering key principles around usability, access and content triggering; best practice in using video, looking at when and how to use video to complement rather than distract from displays; and principles for developing interactives that provide a learning experience that enhances engagement with objects, as opposed to online features and games that focus on the technology rather than the displays. This lecture will suggest best practice principles for delivering digital collections content in museum and gallery spaces and should be interesting for anyone considering methods for encouraging public engagement with their research content in gallery spaces, historic sites or other venues.