Enhancing reflective learning experiences in museums through interactive installations

Hai, Huang; Lo, Wei Hong; Ng, Her Hui; Brailsford, Timothy; O'Malley, Claire

Abstract

In this study we examine the effect that several technological affordances have upon the experiences of children while visiting a museum, focusing upon engagement, discussion and reflection. The museum is the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in Malacca, Malaysia. We created a number of public interactive installations designed to facilitate inter-cultural and inter-generational dialogues about cultural identity. The technology employed mixed and augmented reality techniques and gesture recognition to enable visitors to have a multisensory experience with the artefacts on display. Analysis of pre- to post-test knowledge based surveys showed significant learning gains as a result of interacting with the exhibits. Surveys of visitors’ attitudes showed that they felt they had benefitted from the physical interactivity. Qualitative analysis of observational and video data showed that the different interaction techniques provided both benefits and challenges for interaction, which we reflect upon in the paper.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Conference Name: 13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2018
• Start Date: Jun 23, 2018
• End Date: Jun 27, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Aug 14, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 28, 2018
• Journal: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age: Making the Learning Sciences Count Volume 2
• Print ISSN: 1573-4552
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Pages: 776-783
• ISBN: 9781732467200
• Keywords: cultural learning, reflection, interactive installations, kinaesthetic learning, museum studies
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/867382
• Publisher URL: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1wTHiZuSn8Wn84Q1WpAL-ihQ6SvaDWP17
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Proceedings of 13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2018, Vol 2, 776-783
• Contract Date: Aug 14, 2018