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Date: | Tue, 24 Mar 1998 08:56:06 -0500 |
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I forgot an excellent example of a computer in an exhibit here at the
Science Museum of Virginia. We have in our Matter and Molecules
(chemistry) area a Chemical Reactions computer which runs a multimedia
program using laserdisc and a touch screen (actually it's an IBM
Infowindows system). It allows visitors to choose experiments which are
played in motion video, followed by discussion of the reaction, or a
quiz about the different aspects of basic chemistry (balancing reaction
equations, etc.) It's been pretty reliable and I believe very
informative, and it absorbs peoples' interest when they choose it (not
everyone does!). This to me is an excellent application of computer
technology to exhibits. I guess the key is getting a well-debugged
system to start with.
Bob Oldham
> ----------
> From: Dillenburg, Eugene[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: Museum discussion list
> Sent: Monday, March 23, 1998 4:02 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Technology and Museums
>
> I would say that the biggest issue regarding computers in museum
> exhibits is whether a computer is really the best way to get the
> message
> across. Computers can do many things, but many of the things they do
> best are quite detailed, layered, and even complicated. Often, the
> same
> idea can be conveyed much more clearly and succinctly with a video, a
> simple interactive, even -- now here's a thought -- a real object.
> ;-)
>
> Eugene Dillenburg
> Lead Developer, Philippines Coral Reef exhibit
> John G. Shedd Aquarium
> 1200 South Lake Shore Drive
> Chicago, Illinois 60605
>
> V: (312) 692-3136
> F: (312) 939-8001
> e: [log in to unmask]
>
> Lisa: What a whimsical building! Who says science can't be fun?
> Bart: Me. I smell a museum.
> Homer: Yeah. Good things don't end with "-eum." They end with
> "-mania." Or "-teria."
>
> SPRINGFIELD KNOWLEDGEUM
> "Where science is explained with brightly-colored balls."
>
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