Open Forum

We are looking into possibilities with virtual learning at our museum for two main situations: 1. Students that are from far away counties being able to follow and participate in museum tours when traveling is not ideal, and 2. Provide training for teachers from remote locations. Years upon years ago, we had a huge system that we could physically wheal through the museum for these purposes, but we no longer have it. 

One device we have looked at is the BeamPro.  This is a robot of sorts that the participant controls movement of and is able to follow a group around the museum.  Unfortunately, as of now, the device is not able to prevent participants from bumping into objects... yikes!  There is a new model coming out soon that the company said may have the ability to 1. not run into things, and 2. have the museum staff person control the device instead of the participant.

I'd love to hear about the methods/devices your museum currently uses that are safe and effective for virtual learning.

Thanks!

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Dulcie Hause
Museum Educator
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Jacksonville FL
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Dulcie,
This seems like a good opportunity to consider how to leverage technologies that might increase accessibility in a broad sense when choosing a platform. I presume there are many other options out there, but I would check out the interactive Augsburg Display Cabinet at the Getty Museum for homebound and deaf museumgoers.

You might also want to consider the role that visual descriptive tours can play. These are often relegated for visitors with vision impairment, but I think they have real usefulness for a broader spectrum of people including those who cannot visit the physical museum. Lastly, if some of these offerings end up being available on your website you might consider how relevant portions of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines could be applied. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview

Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)		remove preview
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview This page introduces the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), including WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.1. Quick links to resources: Page Contents Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is developed through the W3C process in cooperation with individuals and organizations around the world, with a goal of providing a single shared standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of individuals, organizations, and governments internationally. View this on Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) >

 

Best,

Mark

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Mark Osterman, Ed.D.
Adult Learning and Engagement Manager
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Miami, FL 33141
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2018 08:40 AM
From: Dulcie Hause
Subject: Experience with Virtual Learning in a Museum

We are looking into possibilities with virtual learning at our museum for two main situations: 1. Students that are from far away counties being able to follow and participate in museum tours when traveling is not ideal, and 2. Provide training for teachers from remote locations. Years upon years ago, we had a huge system that we could physically wheal through the museum for these purposes, but we no longer have it.

One device we have looked at is the BeamPro.  This is a robot of sorts that the participant controls movement of and is able to follow a group around the museum.  Unfortunately, as of now, the device is not able to prevent participants from bumping into objects... yikes!  There is a new model coming out soon that the company said may have the ability to 1. not run into things, and 2. have the museum staff person control the device instead of the participant.

I'd love to hear about the methods/devices your museum currently uses that are safe and effective for virtual learning.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Dulcie Hause
Museum Educator
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

We are doing some piloting with a Beam Pro robot for accessibility.  We have a staff member with the robot giving the tour and answering questions, so we are able to stop the robot from bumping into anything.  We also usually have the person do a small test drive, and only allow adults over 16 to drive the robot (we've had parents or teachers drive for kids).  Happy to answer any questions you have.

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Miranda Kerr
Coordinator of Digital Learning
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-03-2018 08:40 AM
From: Dulcie Hause
Subject: Experience with Virtual Learning in a Museum

We are looking into possibilities with virtual learning at our museum for two main situations: 1. Students that are from far away counties being able to follow and participate in museum tours when traveling is not ideal, and 2. Provide training for teachers from remote locations. Years upon years ago, we had a huge system that we could physically wheal through the museum for these purposes, but we no longer have it.

One device we have looked at is the BeamPro.  This is a robot of sorts that the participant controls movement of and is able to follow a group around the museum.  Unfortunately, as of now, the device is not able to prevent participants from bumping into objects... yikes!  There is a new model coming out soon that the company said may have the ability to 1. not run into things, and 2. have the museum staff person control the device instead of the participant.

I'd love to hear about the methods/devices your museum currently uses that are safe and effective for virtual learning.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Dulcie Hause
Museum Educator
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------