Week 8 – Digital Storytelling

Personally, I feel that the use of technology (in regards to the traditional definitions of technology, rather than our class’s understanding) is only most useful to museums if it engages the audience in a way that current print mediums cannot. Otherwise, the need to use technology renders useless. For example, if the idea is to reduce waste by using less paper for museum pamphlets through the increase of digital posters — it is successful in the sense that it creates solutions but I feel a strong need for interative elements beyond moving visuals. The beauty, for lack of a better word, in the use of technology is its capabilities to connect people beyond the physical realm, give answers to questions instantaneously, and to take a viewer into a different world essentially (may it be interactive interfaces that are clickable to immersive 3D environments with the virtual reality headsets). Thus, a museum’s virtual presence should be immense– it should unveil artwork in a way that the audience and understand the context better or experience differently than just seeing a work on the wall.

 

Also, despite lack of popular opinion, I personally enjoy online classes, such as Code Academy and Lynda. The reason being is the flexibility in the nature of online courses. For example, Lynda has the courses transcripted in the description with the ability to read ahead and highlight key phrases. Furthermore, for those who are pressed for time but want the most of the learning experience, Lynda allows the chance to change the speed — something that cannot be done in a real life class setting. If I zoned out Ina real class, that moment of learning would be lost; yet, the ability of online courses provides a way to go back in time and relearn what was forgotten as well. A pitch for an online course that I would take is how to make an effective anthropological video journalism work– how to properly and ethically interview and delve into social and cultural stories (so toes are never stepped on and cultures are respectfully represented). I feel that hear are important topics to discuss and share with a world wide public (beyond the physical realms of classroom settings).

 

A digital storytelling work that I find interesting is http://queeringthemuseum.org/previous-projects/digital-storytelling-project/

because it delves into the stories of an underrepresented community.

 

6 thoughts on “Week 8 – Digital Storytelling”

  1. I totally agree that Code Academy and Lynda are great online classes and resources for learning. I’ve used both and they’re comprehensive, engaging, easily accessible and easy to use. I think with online classes, its easy to get distracted because the internet is right at your fingertips. It’s tempting to go on facebook or check your email. But I found that these two online classes keep you engaged and focused. They are great resources for anyone trying to learn a new program or a new programming language on their own.

  2. I also agree that museum’s virtual presence should be utilized in a way to help the audience foster a stronger connection with the physical artworks. There are so many possibilities for museums to use and incorporate technology, but they should focus primarily on using technology as a means of creating a more meaningful interaction and engagement between the viewers and the objects. Museums can come up with innovate ways to use technology, but it doesn’t matter if these ideas don’t do much for the viewer-object relationship.

  3. Wow, I actually never had a class that also included a transcription– I think that’s something, among other things, that a lot of online courses lack. I feel that this goes along the lines of how students best learn through exploring materials on their own; with online courses, I think that only having the video is quite limiting and in fact sometimes takes away from the intent of the lesson, with videos maybe being too short or too long, too boring or to confusing, so on and so on. I also really love your idea on effective anthropological video journalism! I think we don’t see this type of lesson very often and many students would especially benefit from more humanities-based online courses that mix digital media and education according to this particular setting.

  4. I very much agree with you that the point of technology within a museum space should be to enhance the experience of the art. I had not fully considered the environmental importance of technology within the museum space so it was refreshing for me to consider this aspect of the technological capabilities.

  5. I totally agreed with your point that technology should aid in the understanding of the artwork. I think that technology should be used as a tool to further the art piece – and create a depth and understanding that wouldn’t be there without it. I thought your example was really interesting!

  6. As far as online courses go i have mixed feelings. If it is an actual class, with a professor and hard deadlines and assignments I find it difficult to engage well with them. Online learning tools like Khan academy and Lynda are both really wonderful tools that don’t force you to complete anything. Their effectiveness to teach is dependent on the person using them. It is up to the user to learn the material. If they really want to learn it, then they will use the programs and learn.

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