Course Overview 

MST 5073 Technology for Museum Professionals covers a lot of territory. The first half of the course will start with the practical, focused on Information Technologies and how to use them. The second half of the course will focus on museum-specific information technologies.1 

Introduction to the theory and application of information technologies within museums, including hardware, software, and the application of technology to the work of museum professionals.2 

Course Learning Objectives3 

• Outline the history and current developments in formation technology, including hardware, software, and Internet-based technologies.

• Explain the fundamentals of computer networks and the Internet.

• Create data structures and manipulate data sets.

• Discuss security, privacy, and other social issues inherent in information technology.

• Identify critical issues involved in managing and implementing information systems including technology, human, social, and organizational issues.

• Design and implement information technology solutions in networked environments.

• Address the underlying concepts and issues of technology management in museums and/or cultural organizations

• Evaluate emerging technologies for potential use in museums and/or cultural organizations.

Analysis 

The course MST 5073 Technology for Museum Professionals broadened my understanding of technology, especially regarding how much it has advanced in the last ten years. Before taking this course, I had not given much thought to technology, even though I use digital devices regularly. By taking this course, I became more aware of how much technology has evolved and more confident and comfortable using it. Key concepts that were most impactful in the course were learning how the museum can incorporate digital technologies to create more immersive, interactive environments, and how to create an Omeka collection, which gave me insight into digital collections, online exhibits, metadata, website design, and open access. The course structure was comprehensive but also challenging, as I was learning new technology concepts I had no prior knowledge of, such as HTML, which was, to me, the most challenging topic in the course. Yet, while the HTML activity was the most challenging assignment, all course topics did challenge my thinking and shifted my perspective on technology, especially in relation to the museum. Ultimately, the course content gave me real-world skills that I can utilize if a technical issue arises in the museum. I am now capable of providing technical support, assisting my colleagues with online exhibits that need updating, creating proficient Excel documents, and using Airtable. Regarding course structure, the discussion boards were implemented in a new way: in small, preassigned groups, which was nice because it allowed a smaller group of peers to engage with. The assignments enhanced my learning and understanding of the implementation of technology in the museum.

The artifact proposes innovative solutions to enhance digital experiences that can be implemented in Timberneck House, thus aligning with the AAM Core Standards for Museums.8 I applied research skills to create the artifact by analyzing scholarly articles, technology, costs, and funding related to interactive kiosks, augmented reality (AR), audio guides, virtual tours, and collection management software (CMS), as well as researching and evaluating an existing museum, Historic Jamestowne Archaearium, to help integrate these digital technologies into the museum space at Timberneck House. The artifact demonstrates what I learned throughout the course and supports the organization Fairfield Foundation. Moreover, the artifact meets the course objectives by equipping me with the skills to integrate computer-based technologies such as AR, virtual tours, and interactive installations to foster meaningful visitor experiences, create educational environments, help improve collection management, and enhance public outreach and programming. A strength of the artifact was creating a research document on a real-world issue that proposed a solution, an outcome, a schedule, costs, funding, and results, which I was then able to present to Fairfield Foundation at a later date.

Reflection  

The course impacted me professionally by teaching me how modern technology in museums can improve visitor engagement. The course changed how I view technology now as a tool that can enhance the visitor experience. Throughout the course, I learned about various digital technology programs, including the integration of tech-driven accessibility, as well as ethical and legal issues related to cultural sensitivity and security, such as open-access databases, and gained a new understanding of artificial intelligence and the growing concern in the art community about Generative AI. Another impact of the course was learning how to create an Omeka Collection, a free, open-source content management system (CMS) for managing, organizing, and displaying curated items, which I later used in the Exhibit Development course. 

Furthermore, the artifact, Final Technology Briefing, enabled me to conduct research on digital technologies that could potentially aid the organization, Fairfield Foundation, and the exhibition being developed for Timberneck House. Before starting the MAMS program, I previously interned at Fairfield and developed an exhibition proposal for Timberneck House. A big factor in my choosing to do my technology brief over Timberneck was that I wanted to continue my work in exhibition development, with the plan to propose the technology brief to representatives at Fairfield at a later date. My research on this topic greatly impacted me, giving me the knowledge of how the implementation of computer-based technologies in the museum, like AR, virtual exhibits, and immersive interactive installations, can be used as a tool to aid the audience’s interpretation, all of which can enhance audience engagement and create meaningful visitor experiences. However, challenges encountered in the course included assignments such as the HTML activity, which focused more on learning to code. I honestly struggled with this assignment, and while I did end up completing it successfully, it was one of the hardest I had to do throughout the entire MAMS program. 

Completing this course helped shape my Personal Learning Goals (PLG) 1, 2, and 4, to enhance skills related to collections management software, digital archiving, and open access, to incorporate interactive and immersive elements, such as integration of multimedia technologies in an exhibition to create an immersive environment, including innovative display strategies that make the exhibition engaging and visually compelling for audiences and further enhance the visitor experience, which can aid in creating visitor-centric experiences that further facilitate community collaboration and foster deep, meaningful, and emotional connections with the exhibition at Timberneck House. The course also met Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) 3, 4, 5, and 7. If I were to do this artifact differently, I would add screenshots or images to visually showcase potential ways to implement the technology solutions, including which existing software or hardware would be used. I also went over the page requirement, so if I were to do the artifact differently, I would be more concise in my writing.