Presented at the 2011 Indigenous Materials Institute in Ignacio, Colorado, June 7. This workshop addressed the use of digital technology in museums, presenting an overview of technology planning issues, case studies, and lessons learned. Presented by Terry Burton, Saul Sopoci Drake, and Sonny Lastrella. Facilitated by Brenda Martin. Institute organized by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, & Museums.

1. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR MUSEUM AUDIENCE Terry BurtonSaul Sopoci DrakeSonny LastrellaBrenda Martin June 7, 2011 9am-4pm

2. 60 YEARS AGO - JUNE 14, 1951 First commercially successful computer was put to work.

4. “Vatican Builds Relationships with Priests, Nuns, and Monks through Blogging and Social Media” May 24, 2011 in News and Updates,Social MediaPosted By: Kelly Hanly

6. “Museums have always been centers of innovation. Today, it is an imperative for museums to be at the forefront of new technology. It is also critical for museums to be ahead of the curve, particularly in terms of attracting younger audiences.” Ford Bell, President American Association of Museums

7. “… trying to redefine how Indians are represented in the museum world, and establishing a requirement that in order to represent these communities properly the community has to be deeply involved in the development of any sort of content …” Kevin Gover, Director National Museum of the American Indian (NAMI)

8. MORNING SESSION DIGITAL MEDIA IN MUSEUMS:A TALE IN THREE PARTS 1) Hopes, Dreams, & Good Intentions 2) Nuts & Bolts 3) The Cautionary Tale LUNCH & PLAY TIME

10. Focus on Your Needs

11. Formula for a Better Experience

12. Demystifying the Technology

13. Content is Still King

14. Technology Life Cycle

16. Discussion

17. Summary

19. 1 PART 1 HOPES, DREAMS, ASPIRATIONS, AND GOOD INTENTIONS Terry Burton, Digital Media Coordinator Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center

20. 1 TAKING CREATIVE RISKS Good for Staff,Good for Visitors

21. 1 WHAT KIND OF MUSEUM ARE YOU? Contemplative Temple Visitor-Centric Total Anarchy

22. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! Digital media tools are cool.

23. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! Why are you doing it?

24. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! Who is it for?

25. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! What do you want them to do?

26. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! How will it be maintained? Today, next week, next month, next year …

27. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! How will you know if it’s working?

28. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! What are your resources? (Feel free to ignore this one - we did.)

29. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! Who is the Keeper of the Vision?

30. 1 SO MANY BRIGHT, SHINY OBJECTS! Extra bonus question: What does “engagement” mean? In particular, to your institution? How do you know you’re doing it?

31. 1 HOW CAN YOU DECIDE WHAT’S WORTH TRYING? Given who and what you are as an institution, what can you uniquely bring to the party?

32. 1 HOW CAN YOU DECIDE WHAT’S WORTH TRYING? Plan A: front-end evaluations to understand visitors’ interests, pre-conceptions, and expectations(no, we didn’t, either.)

33. 1 HOW CAN YOU DECIDE WHAT’S WORTH TRYING? Plan B: Gut instinct … friend or foe?

34. 1 SORTING OUT ALL THE POSSIBILITIES DIGITAL MEDIA FOR OUTREACH Social tools (meant to create possibility of conversation) - including Facebook, Twitter, blogging, Flickr, YouTube, podcasting Information/interaction tools (website, online exhibits)

35. 1 SORTING OUT ALL THE POSSIBILITIES DIGITAL MEDIA INSIDE THE MUSEUM Interactive exhibits (may overlap with web) Screens, touch screens, and multi-touch tables Visitor-contributed content QR codes Digital dome theater

36. 1 “Sense of Place” Voicethread exhibit “Hispanic Heritage” Memory Miner exhibit QR code “Urban Wildlife” Flickr challenge/gallery exhibit

37. 1 THE 8,000 POUND GORILLA MOBILE

38. 1 AT THE END OF THE DAY … TOOLS ARE JUST TOOLS

39. 2 PART 2 TECHNOLOGY ON A SPECTRUM Saul SopociDrake, Curator of Exhibits Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

40. 2 A range of technology elements you can use to get started, get the word out, and get unique…Emphasis on D.I.Y. ethos. (Do it yourself!)Emphasis on Free or Low Cost. *With one exception!*Emphasis on recyclability, reusability, and sustainability of technology components.

41. 2 GETTING STARTED …

42. 2 Google SketchUphttp://sketchup.google.com/ Online tool used to create schematics of a gallery or space. Goal: Accurately recreate dimensions of space and determine how elements fit into that space. Benefit: Good for project managements and foreshadowing of what gallery space will look like Cost: Free for SketchUp/ SketchUp Pro 8= $495 Effort: Minimal, time it takes to initially learn nuances of the program Requirements: CPU w/ internet connection.

43. 2 Example #1: Surviving to Thriving: An Everglades Economy

44. 2 Example #2: Tools of War

45. 2 GETTING THE WORD OUT

46. 2 QR (quick response) Codeshttp://qrcode.kaywa.com/www.atalm.org This bar code links individuals to websites via supported mobile devices. Goal:Create a link to yours and others websites. Benefit:A cool way to disseminate information on a mobile device. Cost:Free! Effort:Minimum Requirements:CPU with internet access

47. 2 HOW DOES THIS WORK? Download application on smartphone: http://reader.kaywa.com/ Scan or photograph using the camera on your smartphone The smartphone via app., reads the info and takes you to the website.

48. 2 Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki-Seminole-Museum/43650959681 Facebook is the king of social networking services. As of January 2011, Facebook has more than 600 million active users. Goal: Increase museum presence using social media. Benefit: Increased awareness of museum…mission…culture. Cost: Free Effort: Minimum, time to monitor and update. Requirements: CPU with internet connection.

49. 2 Blogginghttp://www.wordpress.com/http://ahtahthiki.wordpress.com Post information of what is happing behind the scenes at your museum! Goal: Blogging provides followers a chance to read thoughts of museum staff and have the ability for feedback. Benefit: Social networking tool to provide info in an informal style. Cost: Free Effort: Minimum, time it takes to monitor and update. Requirements: CPU with internet connection.

50. 2 Blurb Bookifyhttp://www.blurb.com/make/bookify A streamlined way to make exhibit catalogs with professional printing and great quality. Goal: Create professional looking exhibit catalogs. Benefit: D.I.Y/ eliminates outsourced design firms and publishing restrictions. You control content, design, and order volume. Cost: Free, cost comes in when ordering. Effort: Moderate Requirements: CPU with internet connection.

51. 2 Blurb Booksmarthttp://www.blurb.com/make/booksmart There is no good reason why it should take tons of time, technical skills, big bucks, or friends in high places to publish a book! Goal: Create exhibit catalogs online. Benefit: D.I.Y./ eliminates outsourced design firms and publishing restrictions. You control content, design, and volume of order. Cost: Moderate, best used with Adobe InDesign. Effort: Moderate Requirements: CPU w/ internet connection. The ability to run Adobe Design Suite on your CPU particularly InDesign.

52. Podcastinghttp://www.podcasting-tools.com/how-to-podcast.htm 2 A podcast is a series of digital media files that are often downloaded through web syndication. Goal: Provide supplemental info to exhibit theme or storyline. Excellent for Oral History dissemination. Benefit: Unique alternative or supplement to text panel information. Cost: Somewhat minimal depending on audio recording devices and software. Effort: Easy Requirements: Audio recording device. MP3 creation software (FeedForAllwww.feedforall.com). Some cpu’s have software built in, MAC’s have IMusic. Website needed for people to download or listen to MP3s.

53. Podcastinghttp://www.ahtahthiki.com/Podcasts/podcasts.cfm 2

54. Guide by Cellhttp://www.guidebycell.com 2 Guide by Cell is a provider of effective, affordable mobile technology solutions to museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Goal: Provide supplemental info to exhibit theme or storyline. Excellent for Oral History dissemination. Benefit: Unique alternative or supplement to text panel information. Cost: Moderate. Annual service fee. Effort: Moderate Requirements: CPU with internet access. Ability to upload audio clips and MP3s.

55. Guide by Cell 2

56. 2 GETTING UNIQUE …

57. Geocachinghttp://www.geocaching.com 2 Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS enables devices and then share their experiences online. Goal:Increase visitorship and social networking through high tech treasure hunt. Benefit:Increase awareness of physical site. Cost:Basic Membership=Free/ Premium Membership=$30 per year or $10 per 3 months. Effort:Easy Requirements:GPS device or smartphone with a GPS application. Time required to periodically monitor the cache.

58. Geocaching 2

59. [i]cell/ Sensa Cell Technologywww.d-c-connect.com 2 The Sensa Cells in [i]cell technology systems are proximity sensing units with LED lighting. When connected to a CPU, they serve as a reactive, interface to the program content. The cells illuminate when a person gestures toward them and can drive content on remote monitors. Goal: Provide supplemental info for an exhibit theme or storyline. Benefit: Unique alternative or supplement to text panels. Appeals to tech savvy visitors. Cost: Moderate to High depending on hardware/ software package. Effort: Moderate to High Requirements: CPU or laptop to run program. Employee who is tech savvy to trouble shoot if necessary. There are D.I.Y. components to this such as creating AV components. Need to work with outsourced tech company: DC-Connect.

60. How is this D.I.Y.? 2

62. Microsoft Surfacehttp://www.microsoft.com/surface 2 The Microsoft Surface platform brings people together to collaborate and learn. It enables experiences that let people connect with a 360 degree interface. Surface responds to touch and to real world objects-supporting fifty simultaneous inputs. Goal: Provide alternative or supplemental info to themes or storylines. Provide visitors with a didactic experience in a whole new way. Benefit: Unique learning experience. Appeals to tech savvy visitors. Cost: High. Need both hardware (Microsoft)/ Software (Quatrefoil). Effort: High Requirements: Employee who is tech savvy to troubleshoot if necessary. Need to work with an outsourced tech company. Strong project management skills required. Time.

63. What Is It? 2

64. What’s On It 2 Photos Audio clips Video clips Interactive programs: Seminole Wars Timeline

65. 3 PART 3 THE CAUTIONARY TALE Saul Sopoci Drake, Curator of Exhibits Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Terry Burton, Digital Media Coordinator Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center

66. 3 The Lure of Intuitive Exploration Case Study: Microsoft Surface

67. 3 The Lure of Intuitive Exploration Misconceptions and generalizations of your audience. Need to consider the variety of learning styles. Need to consider level of comfort for usage

68. 3 The Lure of Intuitive Exploration Misconceptions and generalizations of your staff. Information overload…how much is too much?

69. 3 The Lure of Intuitive Exploration Don’t shy away from play. Upcoming programs for the surface.

70. 3 The Lure of Intuitive Exploration Evaluate and test! Determine your visitors wants…needs…desires before you rush in. Your perception might be different from the reality.

71. 3 OUR BACKGROUND (Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center) Building completely new, 47,000 sq. ft. museum & digital dome. Still running our current institution. Freshly-formed public/private partnership. Staff of 15 +/- (digital media staff of 1).

72. 3 DIGITAL MEDIA TIMELINE

73. 3 HOW HAVE WE MEASURED SUCCESS?

74. 3 WHERE ARE WE DOING WELL? We are in the mix. We are steadily building audience & engagement. Staff has gone from “hmm ….” to buy-in.

75. 3 WHERE ARE WE STRUGGLING? Resources Translating statistics into understanding Developing sustainable, long-range strategy

76. 3 IF WE ONLY KNEW THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW … What would we do differently? Maybe not much. FAIL EARLY, FAIL OFTEN

77. 3 CLOSE THE CIRCLE Continue to think strategically. Go back to your basic objectives & evaluate. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

78. 3 FINAL PEARLS READ KEEP UP STEAL ANYTHING THAT WORKS!

79. MORNING SESSION QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION

80. AFTERNOON SESSION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN MUSEUMS Sonny Lastrella, Audio Visual Technologist

82. Focus on Your Needs

83. Formula for a Better Experience

84. Demystifying the Technology

85. Content is Still King

86. Technology Life Cycle

88. FORMULA FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE Educate Inform Entertain Influence Engage

89. DEMYSTIFYING THE TECHNOLOGY Concepts Application Types Methods Function

90. VIDEO Distance Learning Digital Signage AUDIO Sound Amplification IMMERSION Natural Effects 3D

91. DISTANCE LEARNING Web Conference Video Telepresence Webcast – Lecture Capture http://Tandberg Clip http://Panopto Clip

92. DIGITAL SIGNAGE WayfindingDonor Wall Directory Reader Board Interactivity / Gesture

93. AUDIO Sound Domes Headphones

94. IMMERSION Natural Effects 3D Fire Effect 3D Effects Water Lighting

95. CONTENT IS STILL KING Repurpose Existing Content Keep it Fresh

96. LIFE CYCLE Future Proofing Scalability Proven Products Warranty Leasing vs. Owning Maintenance Specialist on Staff Spare Parts Support

97. HOW TO GET STARTED Form a Committee of Internal Shareholders Find Out What’s Important Set Your Goals Hire an Expert

98. CONCERNS Tech Disconnect = disconnect from real world? Erosion of English language = additional stress on Native language preservation?

99. POSITIVE Gives everyone the ability to connect Revitalize activism

100. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Discussion Summary Evaluation