Dinesh Kumar Asaithambi

Enhancing Museum Experience by Integrating Augmented Reality

Research Aim & Questions

The aim of this research was to investigate how museum visitors’ learning experience and engagement can be improved by implementing augmented reality (AR) technology. To address this, the following questions have been answered:

RQ1. What are the user requirements for designing a satisfactory AR learning experience in museums using experiential learning theory?

RQ2. Analysing effectiveness of AR prototypes in enhancing museum visitors’ engagement and learning experience through interactive exhibits?

Design Thinking for Prototype Development

Primary Research

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with museum visitors to answer research question 1, which is to:

Understand user requirements for designing an AR learning Experience
Explore user expectations and concerns about using AR technology

Thematic Analysis

The qualitative data collected through the interviews were systematically analysed to identify insights which could be converted into design opportunities for developing the AR prototypes.

Priority Matrix

A priority matrix was designed across feasibility and user experience to identify design opportunities that fall into the high feasibility and user experience zone. This method was introduced to make informed decisions, such as what needs to be prioritised, which can be challenging.

Final Prototypes

Prototype A

This prototype was designed following spatial cognitive principle which projects information in the form of text and images to each other to reduce extraneous load.

Prototype B

This prototype was designed following modality effect principle which projects information in the form of audio and visuals, the human cognitive system utilises a multiple processing system to reduce cognitive extraneous load.

Controlled Study

Setting and sample

A within-group controlled study was conducted by recruiting 35 participants, where the number of participants were determined using G*Power tool. This study was conducted to analyse the effectiveness of the AR prototypes in enhancing museum visitors’ engagement and learning experience.

Calculating the number of participants using G*Power tool.

Boxplot for user engagement and learning experience data collected.

Result

Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was utilised to analyse the quantitative data collected in the controlled study. The analysed data revealed a statistically significant increase in engagement and learning experience.

The Boxplot shows that the engagement and learning experience increases from the existing museum exhibits to Prototype A to Prototype B.

Key Findings

Incorporating auditory contents reduces cognitive load and makes complicated information understand easier
AR content with narrative storytelling creates more immersive experience
AR experiences with interactive elements and 3D visualisation enhances engagement
AR applications with multimodal content such auditory and visual elements improves retention of information by engaging multiple senses.

Impact on UX Design

UX designers should prioritise multimodal content creation such as integrating audio and visual elements in AR applications to improve cognitive processing.
Development of interactive and narrative driven AR experiences could enhance information retention and user engagement.
Designers should be conscious about the cognitive load when developing AR applications.