I-Guides in Progress: Two Prototype Applications for Museum Educators and Visitors Using Wireless Technologies to Support Informal Science Learning

  • Authors:

  • Sherry Hsi

  • Affiliations:

  • -

  • Venue:
  • WMTE '04 Proceedings of the 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education (WMTE'04)
  • Year:
  • 2004

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Abstract

We describe I-Guides, an information technology research project in progress at the Exploratorium, a hands-onmuseum of science, art, and human perception. Building upon the findings from the Electronic GuidebookProject [Hsi, 2003], various configurations of RFID technologies, handheld computers, and network-basedapplications are being developed to support nomadic inquiry and extend the museum experience for twodifferent audiences: museum visitors and museum educators. For museum visitors, this project is exploringways to enable visitors to intentionally capture one's museum experiences for later reflection andinvestigation of personally relevant science ideas via the Web. For museum educators, this project isdesigning a wireless handheld Web resource and digital library infrastructure to support educators in makingeffective uses of exhibits and exhibit-based content for inquiry-based teaching. An overview of research aswell as planned design studies, working prototypes, and evaluation activities are described.