Word Count: 749 words, Read Time: 6 mins
Our visit to the Great North Museum (GNM) was inspiring and thought-provoking, sparking ideas about its evolution by 2050. As Learning Design Consultants, we explored dinosaur skeletons, crystals and ancient Egyptian artefacts while envisioning a futuristic museum experience. To prepare, I downloaded the MythQuest AR Adventure app to use its interactive features. Although some elements didn’t function smoothly, the app demonstrated significant potential to enhance engagement.
If you (like myself) aren’t yet a tech wizard, take a moment to learn about the difference between Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) (Meta, 2024).
Learning from the Best
Museums worldwide blend storytelling with cutting-edge technology to redefine visitor engagement. Two standout museums the GNM could draw inspiration from are:
UAE’s Museum of the Future
A striking landmark I’ve admired many times while driving along Sheikh Zayed Road, especially at night when its illuminated Arabic calligraphy glows. Friends who’ve visited praise its immersive AR and VR exhibits that transport visitors into possible futures (Dubai Future Foundation, 2022). The GNM could adopt similar technologies, including using AR to recreate the original context of its Ice Age artefacts or VR for historical journeys. Imagine stepping into an ancient Egyptian tomb or an Ice Age hunting scene through a VR headset—offering a deeply memorable and educational experience.
The Louvre, France
The Louvre merges tradition with innovation, using 3D scans, virtual tours, and online tools to let visitors explore its collection from anywhere in the world (The Louvre, n.d.). The GNM could enhance its MythQuest AR app with similar features, including interactive maps or AR that animates prehistoric creatures and artefacts. As Cuseum (2024) notes, tools like AR and virtual tours can revolutionise visitor interaction, increasing engagement and accessibility.
The above video is best viewed with a VR headset like Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro for a 3D immersive experience.
- Download Spatial Film App
- Download for Apple Vision Pro in 8K HDR on the Spatial Film VisionOS App
- Watch directly on Quest TV
- Watch on Meta Quest 3 using YouTube VR in 8K: Tutorial
- Download 4K Spatial Video for Vision Pro
- Watch using Moonplayer/Juno on Vision Pro without downloading: Tutorial
A Realistic Vision for the Future
As a free-entry museum, budget-friendly innovations could enhance engagement.
Interactive Spin-the-Wheel Activities: Challenges currently encourage imagination, such as picturing yourself in Roman armour or imagining what a wall of faces might whisper if they came to life. Future iterations could include AR projections overlaying digital armour onto children’s bodies or audio speakers making the faces whisper historical insights.
Expanding Touchscreens and Holographics: The animal exhibit’s touchscreens could include animated videos or quizzes for deeper engagement. Holographic displays could reconstruct artefacts to show how they were made or used.
These modest upgrades could enrich the visitor experience without straining the museum’s resources.
Dreaming Big: The GNM in 2050
For an ambitious vision, the museum could take inspiration from Disneyland’s It’s a Small World ride. This slow-moving track ride travels through themed environments with synchronised music and animated characters. A similar ride at the GNM could transport visitors through historical themes—from the Ice Age to Ancient Egypt—featuring holograms and synchronised narration. Visitors could see roaring dinosaurs or vibrant Roman marketplaces brought to life.
Building a physical ride may be financially unrealistic, but the same concept could be achieved using VR. Visitors could wear VR headsets and sit in motion-simulating chairs that tilt as they “travel” through virtual environments. While exploring these immersive worlds, they would hear narrated information about each scene, creating an engaging and educational experience without the logistical challenges of constructing a physical ride.
Reflections and Concerns
Museums like the GNM play a vital role in sparking curiosity and preserving history. As the NFER (2021) highlights, integrating digital tools in education fosters deeper engagement and broadens access for diverse audiences. Falk and Dierking (2018) argue that technology can enrich learning experiences by connecting personal interests with cultural heritage, enhancing visitor satisfaction. Similarly, Parry (2013) explores how digital platforms can democratise access to museum collections, making exhibits more inclusive and interactive. These studies underscore the transformative potential of digital integration in museums.
However, as Kuhail et al. (2020) cautioned, high-tech features might alienate visitors unfamiliar with VR or those with sensory sensitivities. Balancing innovation with inclusivity is crucial to ensure the museum remains a welcoming space for all. By thoughtfully integrating technology and addressing these challenges, the GNM can inspire and educate visitors of all ages, blending storytelling, innovation, and inclusivity for decades to come.
AI Acknowledgement Statement
This blog was created with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT to brainstorm, structure and edit content. Additionally, any photos produced using AI tools are clearly identified as ‘AI-Generated’ in their captions. All text and visuals have been reviewed and adapted to align with Newcastle University’s academic standards and requirements.
Bibliography
Cuseum. (2024) Digital Engagement Tools for Museums: How Apps, AR and Virtual Tours Enhance Visitor Interaction. Available at: https://cuseum.com/blog/2024/10/2/digital-engagement-tools-for-museums-are-transforming-visitor-experiences (Accessed: 27 November 2024).
DLP Dream Plus (2023) [4K] “It’s a Small World” – FULL RIDE – Disneyland Paris 2023. 4 May. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOFQtSi14ik (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
Dubai Future Foundation. (2022) Museum of the Future. Available at: https://www.museumofthefuture.ae (Accessed: 24 November 2024).
Falk, J. H., & Dierking, L. D. (2018). Learning from Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning. Rowman & Littlefield.
Hugh Hou (2024) Step Into Paris & the Louvre in 8K VR180 | See Da Vinci’s Masterpiece in 3D on Vision Pro & Quest 3. 14 Aug. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOFQtSi14ik (Accessed: 29 November 2024).
Huznuz (2023) Museum Of The Future | Dubai | UAE 🇦🇪. 15 September. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHB896TAfXQ (Accessed: 28 November 2024).
Kuhail, M. A., Alturki, N., Alramlawi, S., & Alhejori, K. (2020). “Interacting with Educational Chatbots: A Systematic Review.” Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 28(6), pp. 1549–1565.
Meta. (2024) What’s the Difference Between VR, AR and MR? Available at: https://forwork.meta.com/gb/blog/difference-between-vr-ar-and-mr/ (Accessed: 25 November 2024).
National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) (2021). Report 9: Learning with Digital Technologies in Museums, Science Centres and Galleries. Available at: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/media/eecph0ty/futl70.pdf (Accessed: 24 November 2024).
OpenAI (2024). ChatGPT (October 2023 version). Available at: https://chat.openai.com (Accessed: 23 November 2024).
Parry, R. (2013). Museums in a Digital Age. Routledge.
The Louvre (n.d.). Official Website of the Louvre Museum. Available at: https://www.louvre.fr (Accessed: 24 November 2024).
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