Multimedia platforms - Data management - Information systems - 2D graphical user interfaces - Websites - Multilingualism

Project Name
Design and development of an information and navigation system with emphasis in educational activities for the visitors of "Museum Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians".
Country
Greece
Department/Generate Directorate/Bureau/Service name
University of Patras
Project URL
http://hci.ece.upatras.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=214&Itemid=186
ACQUISITION AND HARVESTING - 2D Data Acquisition
High definition photography and book scanning, performed by 2 external collaborators.
ACQUISITION AND HARVESTING: Multimedia platforms
We use windows media audio files to provide audio narrations to the visitor. Audio recording is performed through a properly equipped studio using open source software to remaster the captured audio.
ACQUISITION AND HARVESTING - Other
All exhibit-related data are captured in a CIDOC compliant database. Besides that, a second database handles the RFID tags of the exhibits, the integration with the CIDOC digital repository, the content for mobile applications and the website.
DOCUMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT - Data management
Administration of exhibits' 3 types of descriptions (for the website, for the handheld guide, for educational games) through appropriate interfaces. Proprietary web based application for administering the content for these three targets.
DOCUMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT - Information Systems
Heterogeneous technologies for servers and clients integrated with XML. A system that can be easily upgraded with new technologies and expanded with more and different clients.
DOCUMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT - Metadata Standardisation
CIDOC-CRM compatible database with metadata information for the exhibits.
DOCUMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT -Other
Relations among the exhibits based on different characteristics concerning creators, materials, historical periods and location inside the museum. integrated set of data management applications for the digital repository, the mobile applications and the website.
VISUALISATION - 2D Graphical user interfaces
Two interfaces for mobile applications, one for the museum guide and one for educational activities. Additionally mobile interfaces for the the museum's administrative staff. Finally, the website and the management editors.
ACCESS TO DIGITAL RESOURCES - Websites
Online exhibition, museum visit preparation, preparation of educational activities, access to related websites.
ACCESS TO DIGITAL RESOURCES - Other
The visitors access the digital information by scanning RFID tags with the mobile device. Special care to usability studies and interaction design. Information presentation is focused (in respect to the exhibits) to audio description in order not to limit the visitors to the PDA's screen.
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AND SPECIFIC INTERESTS - Multilingualism
All content of the electronic guide is available in Greek, Italian and English languages. Additional languages can be added with little effort.
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AND SPECIFIC INTERESTS - Other
The project has a social dimension by allowing visitors to rank and annotate the content associated with the exhibits.
SPECIALISATION AREA - Immovable archaeological objects
Mobile technology provides the possibility to create applications for moving visitors and moving archaeological objects.
Department/Generate Directorate/Bureau/Service address
Panepistimioupolis, GR-26500 Rio Patras
Directorate/Bureau/Service tel.
+30 2610 997120, +30 2610 997100
Directorate/Bureau/Service fax
+30 2610 991711
Directorate/Bureau/Service e-mail
rectorate@upatras.gr
Directorate/Bureau/Service Website
www.upatras.gr
Department/Generate Directorate/Bureau/Service Description
The University of Patras was founded in 1964. It is the third largest University in Greece with over 20000 students and over 700 faculty members. It has a reputation for quality and innovative research.
Contact Person
Nikolaos Avouris
Contact Person Gender
Mr
Contact Person Institution
HCI Group, ECE Department, University of Patras
Contact Person Address
HCI Group, Ypatias Str., Panepistimioupolis, GR-26500 Rio, Patras
Contact Person Tel
+30 2610 996898, +30 2610 996435
Contact Person Fax
+30 2610 996898
Contact Person e-mail
avouris@upatras.gr
Contact languages
Greek, English
Project Duration
2 years
Objectives and priorities
The project had as main goal to built a digital repository for the "Museum Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians" and, also, to provide navigation support to the visitors inside the museum through a PDA, context-aware application, to allow children to interact with the exhibits through educational games and to provide a set of services for management to the Museum administration. A web site allows remote access to the museum exhibits, visit preparation and planning for the educational activities.
Problems encountered and lessons learnt
The most important element while trying to design and develop applications that will be used to enrich a visitor's experience inside a museum is not only the technology that is going to be used but the content that is going to be provided to the visitors. We believe that a narrative approach which creates a story and provides multilevel information about the exhibits combined with appropriate technology is more deductive that transforming the existing-in paper descriptions to electronic format.
Other comments
Requirements engineering process based on incremental, evolving phases. The design team was comprised with members of the museum in order to produce a solution that would respect the organization processes. User testing and evaluation in both laboratory and real conditions was conducted at all design phases and for all the applications.
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