Press
March 31, 2006
Mobile phones set to revitalise visits to cultural venues for pupils
An innovative new service that uses mobile phones and aims to revitalise the museum and gallery experience has won praise from teachers and pupils.
The pilot of My Art Space was launched in January this year. It enables visitors to museums and galleries to explore, 'collect' and share cultural artefacts using mobile phones and the internet. The service, designed for 10 to 14-year-olds (Key Stage 2 and 3), allows users to create a virtual collection online, complete with personal narratives. The 'virtual curators' can then edit their online art space and share it with their classmates, friends and family.
The project, led by The SEA, has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Three organisations are involved in the initial phase of the project: The D-Day Museum in Portsmouth, The Study Gallery in Poole, and Urbis in Manchester.
Paul Phillips, Design Director for The SEA, said: "The idea is to encourage young people and general visitors to explore and 'acquire' cultural artefacts, curate their own virtual galleries and construct personal narratives to share with the general public as well as their family and friends."
Claire Harcup, Commissioning Executive for Culture Online, said: "The service, specifically designed around museum education, illustrates how the digital world of websites and mobile phone technologies can add value to the real world of museums, galleries and exhibitions. The project provides a bridge between online and on-site learning. It enhances the accessibility of museum and gallery collections and encourages personalised story telling."
Teachers and pupils have given the service top marks. Lisa Davison, year 6 teacher for pilot school Haslingden Primary said: "The pupils have all been so engrossed in every lesson about it. Some of the more boisterous pupils have been totally focussed and on-task."
Mark Marande, History teacher at Priory School said: "The day was of tremendous benefit to the pupils and their history studies. The mobile phones were easy to use and the children were quickly off exploring the museum and making their own collections. I have not seen pupils so engaged or enthusiastic on a museum visit before."
Year 9 History pupils from Priory School also gave My Art Space the thumbs up: "It beats a form on a clip board. You can really do something interesting with this!" one commented.
You can visit the Projects area of this website to find out more about My Art Space.