IanThilthorpe

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NERMH E-LearningProjects

• IanThilthorpe
• Senior Manager
• Tyne Wear Museums

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NERMH E-Learning Remit

• Improve public engagement with Hub museum
  collections through the use of digital technology
• Maximise new audience potential
• Serve as advocates of e-learning for sector staff
• Support sector staff in the development of
  e-learning projects

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Podcasting

• Podcasting - What is it?
• A global phenomenon for the distribution and
  consumption of multi media content.
• RSS distribution enables regular and automatic
  subscription to new audio/video content.
• Increasing popularity and decreasing cost of
  iPod/MP3 players reflects how audiences are
  consuming content in new ways
• By 2005 only 1.6 of the U.S. population had ever
  downloaded a podcast.
• By 2010 it is predicted that 20 will be
  regularly downloading content.

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Podcasting - How is it being used?
Museums/Heritage sector beginning to explore this
medium as means of reaching new
audiences. Simple and direct method of
distributing innovative content to audiences. A
new level of interactivity for audiences on
websites and in venues. Personalised and mobile
learning Increased marketing potential.
Subscriptions enable sustainable relationships
with audience.
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Podcasting

• To research the value of podcasting as an
  educational and marketing tool
• Staff acquire skills to enable sustainable
  production of podcasts.
• Initial magazine style delivered in an
  enhanced audio format. Bite size, engaging
  features e.g. short interview with Wayne
  Hemingway on opening of Designs for Life
  exhibition.
• Initially targeted at lazy social audience.
• To be the first of number of distinct strands of
  podcasts talks, exhibitions, behind the scenes
  etc. appealing to different audiences.

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Video Podcast (Bowes Museum)
Three pilot episodes focusing on redevelopment of
museum, collections and exhibitions. Video
format to be released monthly. Attempt to
develop relationship between podcast presenters
and audience. Behind the scenes features
presented in engaging BBC documentary
style. Staff to acquire skills to produce
sustainable series.
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Video Conferencing

• Aims
• To re examine the value of video conferencing as
  an educational tool.
• Explore the use of video conferencing for
  engaging adult audiences and schools with our
  sites and collections.
• To engage with the Joint Academic Network (JANET)
  video conferencing programme.

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Schools Video Conferencing Pilots
Project undertaken with MLA North East and
Northern Grid for Learning to develop highly
interactive, engaging educational video
conferencing (VC) sessions for schools. Three
pilot events developed by Hub staff in
consultation with teachers. Developed as
pre-visit events. Formal evaluation being
compiled and expected by end May 2008 Informal
feedback very positive and encouraging Plans to
develop catalogue of VC sessions for schools as
pre/post visit and stand alone sessions. To be
made available through JANET Collaborate.
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Adult Learner Video Conferencing Session

• To engage adult audiences with Hub resources
• Pilot involving Beamish and informal ESOL class
  at Clayport Library, Co. Durham.
• Designed to be an interactive post visit session
  with a Beamish curator.
• Session structure content developed by Beamish
  outreach team and ESOL students.
• Additional objectives To help students develop
  presentation skills and improve confidence in
  visiting museums.
• Formal evaluation due by July. Informal
  evaluation very positive with requests for event
  to be replicated in near future with different
  adult group.
• Looking to develop stand alone VC sessions
  intended for special interest adult learner
  groups.

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Web 20 Challenges Opportunities
New services Multi media User generated
content Social Networks Two way flow of
information
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Projects

• Articus Redevelopment Project
• Online collaborative schools art project with
  Hartlepool Art Gallery.
• Users submit original artwork and create their
  own personalised exhibitions in moderated
  environment.
• Designed for use by schools and independently by
  children away from the classroom.
• Swan Hunter website
• Multi Media resource documenting the history of
  Swan Hunter shipyard.
• Uses Web 2.0 approach to invite public
  contribution.
• The site will effectively become a collaborative
  document built from local experience.

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My Space
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Love
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Eye Project
http//www.eyeproject.org.uk/
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Web 20 What next?
Public
Museum
Public
Museum
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NERMH E-LearningProjects

• IanThilthorpe
• Senior Manager
• Tyne Wear Museums