NODEM 2014 Proceedings

Parallel Exhibits: Combining Physical and Virtual Exhibits
an interactive table, namely, a Microsoft PixelSense 2.0 5 . An interactive table provides a large interaction area
with enough space for multiple visitors to have a look at and interact.
Additionally, we conducted a series of semi structured interviews with curators and museum staff from different
museums. We discussed different uses cases of our systems and analyzed the needs of the curators.
Figure 3. Visitors, researchers and curators engaged in discussions around the prototype at the
Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam
Finally we conducted an online survey in which we present our system to collect quantitative feedback. So we
analyzed interaction time and how objects are used in arrangements. In the online survey we invited participants
to use the stage of our system. Afterwards we asked them to answer a questionnaire.
Findings and Discussion
During five hours of observation 35 visitors interacted with the stage of the system. Most visitors passed by in
small groups or pairs. Most of the times, one visitor started arranging objects, while others stood by observing.
In many cases this triggered lively discussions about the presented objects and the best way to arrange them.
We also observed a strong interest in the story behind the virtual exhibits. We conclude that users are not only
interested in selecting nice looking objects but also in learning more about them. An important criterion was
the object’s history. Visitors want to create collections of exhibits that historically fit together. This is supported
by the fact that when a curator of the museum was present, visitors tended to ask many questions about the
exhibits and created more sophisticated exhibitions.
5
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/pixelsense/
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