If you've read Part One of this series, you've asked yourself if you should be using QR codes, and I'm guessing if you're still here, you answered "yes" or at least, "...maybe?"
In this post, we're going to look at a couple of examples of museums that have used QR codes highly effectively, overcoming some of the barriers to entry mentioned previously: not knowing what a QR code is and what to do with it, having to download a QR reader to a smartphone or other mobile device, and motivation to do so.
A couple of examples of museum QR code projects that are successfully overcoming these barriers are the Brooklyn Museum and The Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz.
The Brooklyn Museum is well known for its use of technology to drive its community-centered mission. Shelley Bernstein, the museum's Chief of Technology, describes in a blog post the museum's many different uses of QR codes. Key take-aways from this blog post include an emphasis on ensuring accessibility, which they do by providing the same information via kiosks for people without smartphones, providing introductions and explanations for the QR codes in various forms, and the importance of experimentation and testing with new technology initiatives.
Meanwhile, Nina Simone of the Museum 2.0 blog, and Executive Director of The Museum of Art & History, focused on another significant barrier for audiences: why would a visitor want to scan a QR code in the first place? When adding QR codes to a special exhibition at MAH, they found a simple solution. By using a brief line of introductory text at each QR code, such as, "Scan the QR code to see the inside of this cabinet (1 min slideshow)." they introduce the concept of QR codes, as well as entice audiences with a description of what the QR code leads to.
Have you seen any other examples of effective QR codes in museums (or elsewhere)?
In this post, we're going to look at a couple of examples of museums that have used QR codes highly effectively, overcoming some of the barriers to entry mentioned previously: not knowing what a QR code is and what to do with it, having to download a QR reader to a smartphone or other mobile device, and motivation to do so.
A couple of examples of museum QR code projects that are successfully overcoming these barriers are the Brooklyn Museum and The Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz.
The Brooklyn Museum is well known for its use of technology to drive its community-centered mission. Shelley Bernstein, the museum's Chief of Technology, describes in a blog post the museum's many different uses of QR codes. Key take-aways from this blog post include an emphasis on ensuring accessibility, which they do by providing the same information via kiosks for people without smartphones, providing introductions and explanations for the QR codes in various forms, and the importance of experimentation and testing with new technology initiatives.
Meanwhile, Nina Simone of the Museum 2.0 blog, and Executive Director of The Museum of Art & History, focused on another significant barrier for audiences: why would a visitor want to scan a QR code in the first place? When adding QR codes to a special exhibition at MAH, they found a simple solution. By using a brief line of introductory text at each QR code, such as, "Scan the QR code to see the inside of this cabinet (1 min slideshow)." they introduce the concept of QR codes, as well as entice audiences with a description of what the QR code leads to.
Have you seen any other examples of effective QR codes in museums (or elsewhere)?
I actually think QR codes are a GREAT idea...they give younger (tech-savvy) audiences something fun and interesting to do (other than play Angry Birds) while they're at the museum with their parents. So much of museum content is geared either towards adults or young children, and QR codes give us the chance to also reach out to tweens, teens, and young adults without having to spend gobs on money on separate displays. I think
ReplyDeleteQR codes are also a great way to provide additional information about an object or exhibit component without cluttering up the display. I think that this information ALSO needs to be put on the website (or available via docent) but for those who are not as likely to follow-through once they get home (or who avoid talking to the docents), QR codes have the potential of getting more information out to the audience.
Granted, not every tween, teen or y/a is going to own a smart phone...but MANY of them do (at least, in my observation at the various DC museums.)
For example, as goofy as it is, the MEanderthal mobile app for the Hall of Human Origins can be accessed via QR code...and that's just one silly app. There are an abundance of possibilities for educators and exhibit designers to tap into, provided they have the creativity and ingenuity to do so effectively and frugally.
I was hesitant to jump on the smartphone wave, but I honestly think it's here to stay, and we, as museum professionals, should embrace the new opportunities that smartphones bring with them. We see them being used by kids *all the time* in non-constructive ways...so why not harness their power for good? ;-)
=Courtney Prutzman
I am also a fan of QR codes, but only when they are used appropriately. The biggest beef I have with them is a) placement, and b) content. In class last week, everyone heard my "side of the bus" example, which concerns placement. Other examples include high banners and garbage cans (think Metro). So useless to anyone that'd want to try.
ReplyDeleteRegarding content, the worst example I can think of is the National Museum of the American Indian. I visited with a friend this summer, and scanned a QR code attached to the label of a painting. It took me to the NMAI website and displayed a thumbnail of the painting (that was hanging on the wall in front of me) and the EXACT information already printed on the label. Nothing additional, no curator comments, artist background, or related stories. That QR code was pure gimick, and completely worthless to me. Even a link to a Wikipedia page would've given me more to go on.
I once worked an after-hours avant garde art show at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. one of the art installations was done entirely through QR codes posted throughout the galleries. when you accessed the code, you saw sections of a short film that was shot in and inspired by the museum. it was a super cool idea, and a really unique way to use QR codes, but I don't have a smart phone, so I couldn't actually see it. the reality is that not every single visitor will be able to access QR codes, so museums should be careful how they use them - you don't want to make any visitors feel excluded!
ReplyDelete