Reimagining the museum experience using augmented reality: A focus on a Namibian museum
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Date
2024
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This study seeks to revolutionize the museum experience in Namibia through the
implementation of AR Specifically, a focus was made on the National Museum of
Namibia and developed an AR mobile application using ARKit and Reality Composer
on the iOS platform. To gain a deeper understanding of traditional museum visits, an
online survey was conducted which was targeted at various participants from different
geographical areas, totaling 63 respondents. Background: The researcher's
exploration of Namibian museums reveals the prevalence of two primary modes of
visitor engagement: self-guided tours and guided tours, the latter often customized to
suit the preferences and interests of international tourists. During personal visits,
visitors typically rely on brief summary notes next to artifacts for supplementary
information. Guided tours, while informative, often prioritize group interests, limiting
individual exploration. Methodology: In this study, a mixed research design was
employed to craft a software-based solution and gather insights from our target
audience. By combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative feedback from
interviews and observations during AR application usage, we sought to gain a
comprehensive understanding of user perspectives. Findings: This research unveiled
that most museum goers had little to no prior exposure to AR applications during their
museum visits, indicating an untapped potential for enhancing museum engagement
through technology. The development and testing of the AR mobile application
generated excitement among users, who expressed keen interest in additional features
and interactive models. One challenge, however, was the application’s exclusivity to
iOS devices, as it required iOS 13 or newer for full AR functionality. This limited the
ability to collect feedback from a broader range of users.
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This study signifies a significant stride in reshaping museum experiences in Namibia.
By leveraging Augmented Reality, the aim is to elevate visitor engagement, facilitate
knowledge acquisition, nurture meaningful interactions, and forge emotional
connections with museum exhibits. To extend the reach and impact of AR-enhanced
experiences, exploring cross-platform compatibility to engage a wider audience is
recommended
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in information technology
Keywords
Augmented Reality, iOS, Namibia, Museum experience, Mixed research design, AR mobile application, Reality Kit