Document Type

Research

Publication Date

3-2011

Abstract

Museums have been changing rapidly in the past few decades, shifting from focusing on the collections to the interactive experience gained by the visitor through their museum experience. Technology has been used as one tool to facilitate this change, but it is varied and continuously changing. Because of the relatively new use of technology by history museums and its constantly changing nature, research such as this study is needed on technological applications in historical interpretation. This analysis is based on interviews with a variety of museum professionals, an extensive literature review, and examples from museums. This research shows that technology has been used by museums before the museum experience to attract and prepare visitors, during the museum experience in exhibits and as guides, and after the museum experience as a means to maintain contact. This use of technology has brought numerous benefits in helping allow for an interactive, visitor-focused museum offering a personalized experience, however there are potential drawbacks. These include the visitor ignoring the artifacts and not interacting socially in the museum. However, of most concern to museum professionals and historians is that their authority and expertise in historical interpretation may be diminished.

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