Teachable mo[bil]ment

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners have studied how technology can support visitors' learning in science centers, but few have considered technology specifically designed for science center docents; the staff that explains and interprets exhibits to visitors. We present a qualitative, exploratory study at a zoo where we designed and evaluated technological supports for docents running an immersive, embodied-interaction. Our study focused on the affordances of portable tablets and large fixed displays, as well as on a comparison of two approaches to docent notification (an orchestration approach vs. a just-in-time approach). Making use of docent interviews, video observations, and feedback from zoo educators, we recommend the use of a hybrid approach. Our main contribution is the identification of advantages and disadvantages of display options and notification approaches leading to a list of design considerations for technology that assists docents in delivering information to visitor audiences.

Interactive technology and human–animal encounters at the zoo

“…This prior work investigates, for example, the social dimensions of mobile-phone based acquisition of knowledge about animals (O'Hara et al, 2007), and docents' use of information to support interactive, educational games (Jimenez Pazmino et al, 2013). Technology-based visitor education offers the potential for effective delivery of information (Perdue et al, 2012b), and creating learning experiences which are attractive to children (Ohashi et al, 2008;Suzuki et al, 2009).…”

HCI Goes to the Zoo

“…Prior work has looked at interactive technologies for zoo visitor education and conservation messaging, including the social dimensions of learning about zoo animals [6], and guides' use of information systems [8]. Research indicates that digital interpretations have a greater impact than static signage [9], and are attractive to young people [6,8] [7,11].…”

“…Prior work has looked at interactive technologies for zoo visitor education and conservation messaging, including the social dimensions of learning about zoo animals [6], and guides' use of information systems [8]. Research indicates that digital interpretations have a greater impact than static signage [9], and are attractive to young people [6,8] [7,11]. This research has highlighted the challenge of designing systems which do not detract from the broader goals of the zoo, such as maintaining visual connection with animals [4,5,10] and work with the established paradigm of portraying captive animals in harmony with their 'natural' environment [3].…”

“…Zoos are making increasing use of interactive technologies to achieve their conservation and educational goals, to support animal welfare [1,12] and to provide novel experiences for visitors [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. This workshop will further our understanding of what it means to design and use technology in this unique space at the intersection of human and animal worlds.…”