ISSN:
1573-7500
Keywords:
virtual museum
;
user/visitor
;
technology
;
WWW (World Wide Web) CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work)
;
HCI (Human Computer Interaction) Internet
;
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) culture
;
sociology
;
ethnomethodology
;
situated knowledge
;
local practices
;
classification
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Information Science and Librarianship
,
Nature of Science, Research, Systems of Higher Education, Museum Science
Notes:
Abstract The Museum is a perspicuous site for analysing the complex interplay between social, organisational, cultural and political factors which have relevance to the design and use of ‘virtual’ technologies. Specifically, the introduction of virtual technologies in museums runs up against the issue of the situated character of information use. Across a number of disciplines (anthropology, sociology, psychology, cognitive science) there is growing recognition of the ‘situatedness’ of knowledge and its importance for the design and use of technology. This awareness is fostered by the fact that technological developments are often associated with disappointing gains for users. The effective use of technology relies on the degree to which it can be embedded in or congruent with the ‘local’ practices of museum users. Drawing upon field research in two museums of science and technology, both of which are in the process of introducing virtual technologies and exploring the possibilities of on-line access, findings are presented which suggest that the success of such developments will depend on the extent to which they are informed by detailed understanding of practice-practices that are essentially socially constituted in the activities of museum visitors and the daily work of museum professionals.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009007316752
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