The University of Leicester's School of Museum Studies in association with the British Museum provides innovative opportunities for students as they switch from using printed handouts to tablet computers, as a result of new technology.
The School welcomes the novel tablet computer technologies to aid students to benefit from the off-site trips. Dr Ross Parry and Dr Janet Marstine , together with British Museum staff took effort to create an app that will facilitate students with an convenient learning tour, thereby exploring the Museum's exhibits and galleries. The application is created on compact tablet computers, with the Museum’s curators and key staff made available through video interviews. The programme allows students to consider the ethical issues in museums during study visits.
The new app assists students to explore the Museum independently, with simultaneous support from efficient British Museum staff. The school took a team of students to the British Museum to make a trial on the new app, which provided successful results. The app directed the students around the museum; the students recorded their opinions using the word processor and camera function provided in the tablet. Electronic operation simplified the discussions and communication. Both the Museum and the students were thrilled with this new app.
Among a series of advanced learning methods executed in the School of Museum Studies, this approach is the most recent innovation. The new learning lab allows students to carry their laptops to class in order to share their work through the main overhead projector on three flat-screen monitors. The successful new app encouraged the School to design and develop similar applications for various other study tours.
Source: http://www2.le.ac.uk/