To successfully achieve the goals of the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame computer project, the process will be divided into several smaller steps. Each completed step will bring the project closer and closer to completion. Clicking the steps below will bring up a detailed description and estimated completion date for each.
Step one: Determine characteristics of the target audience.
Step two: Select a group of Hall of Fame inductees that
will be interpreted.
Step three: Find and study background information on the selected inductees.
Step four: Create interesting interpretive storylines (layouts) for each selected inductee.
Step five: Collect pictures, music, sound effects, movies, and text in correspondence with each inductee storyline.
Step six: Design a computer program for each inductee that incorporates the multimedia elements.
Step seven: Test the computer program with a representative sample from the target audience.
Step eight: Provide access to the general public.
Step nine: Evaluate the effectiveness and success of the computer touch screen kiosks.
Step One: Determine characteristics of the target audience
In this step, I will be reviewing audience information from
previous research projects and comparing the results with changes that are
occurring today. Working with the director of Schmeeckle Reserve, we will
decide upon the principle target audience (or audiences). A knowledge of
the audience is essential when creating an interpretive plan. The audience
dictates what types of interpretation should be included, the methods and
techniques of interpretation, as well as the depth of interpretation. By
looking at previous visitation to the
Hall of Fame, we can get a pretty accurate
picture of the types and numbers of people who will be using the computer
kiosks. One major change from past years is the addition of an environmental
education program to the Schmeeckle Reserve, which could result in increased
visitation by elementary school students. This change must be accounted
for when analyzing the target audiences.
Completion date: January 1, 2001
Step Two: Select a group of Hall of Fame inductees that will be interpreted
In an ideal world, every inductee in the Conservation Hall of Fame would be interpreted on the computer kiosks. Each would have a multitude of intriguing stories that visitors could explore. In reality, time will permit only a select few of the inductees to be interpreted. Too many inductees on the computers could even potentially reduce the exhibit's attractive power. How will the inductees be selected? More popular inductees that people may be familiar with, like Aldo Leopold, John Muir, or Gaylord Nelson, will probably be selected; the familiarity with the names will be of interest to visitors. Other lesser known inductees will be judged by a couple of factors. First, variability will be determined. We would like a variety of disciplines accounted for in the exhibit, including forestry, wildlife management, environmental education, water management, and soil management. Second, intrinsic interest will be determined. Some inductees have stories that are more interesting to the general public than others. Third, time will dictate how many inductees can be selected. This touch screen computer exhibit is a two-year project. Although more inductees can be added at a later date, a core few must be selected for the initial project so that enough time can be devoted to each storyline.
Completion date: January 1, 2001
Step Three: Find and study background information on the selected inductees
Some background information will already have been gathered in
step two when deciding which inductees to include. Schmeeckle Reserve
currently houses files for each inductee that include some general background
information. However, more stories need to be discovered, apart from
accomplishments and work experience, that will be of interest to visitors.
Universal concepts such as love, hate, war, fear, beauty, and so forth should be
major parts of these stories. Few visitors would listen to a message that
just stated the cold facts. Information will be gathered from books,
magazines, internet sources, interviews, and other means appropriate for finding
the "true story." We want visitors to know these inductees, not
just know about them. That means revealing the inductee's personalities,
what they did for fun, or significant events that may have changed their
lives. These are the pieces of information that, if presented in the right
way, will have a definite effect on the visitor.
Completion date: April 15, 2001
Step Four: Create interesting storylines for each inductee
This step goes right along with step three. As we gather the background information, the storyline, or interpretive layout, should constantly be in our heads. How will we present this to visitors in an interesting and unique way? How will visitors perceive this piece of information? How will they react to this story or event? Is this truly an important aspect of the inductee that provides insight into his or her soul? The actual creation of these storylines will be almost a roadmap. These are being designed for a computer. With a computer, visitors can choose their own pace and direction in learning, but we as planners do want them to get the interpretive message. The layout will start with a main page that has a variety of options: whether it's looking at photographs, watching a movie, or reading some quotes. Each option that is selected might open onto a page that contains several other options. The storyline will trace these possible options, and detail what each option will do. Every option should possess objectives-- what will the visitor do, learn, and think?-- and these will be made clear on the written storyline.
Completion date: April 15, 2001
Step Five: Collect multimedia materials in correspondence with each inductee storyline
Once the storylines are completed, the "interpretive plan" is ready to be followed when implementing the actual project. In order to be created, the storylines will require certain materials, which may include movies, sound, music, pictures, or text. This step involves collecting the necessary materials. Some of these materials are readily available. Quotes and pictures can be found in books, magazines, or on the internet. Of course, proper copyright procedures must be followed. Sound effects and music can be found on tapes, CDs, or on the internet. Again, copyright procedures must be followed. Some movies have even been made which includes footage of the inductees. However, some materials are difficult if not impossible to find. In these cases, materials will be created from scratch to complete the objectives of each storyline. Sound effects can be created and recorded. Voices can be recorded that say some of the quotes. Movies of the sites and places important to the inductee's life can be created that will highlight the storyline. Actors and actresses can be incorporated into the movies to dramatize the lives of inductees. Overall, creative work will be needed to collect the necessary multimedia components that will make the computer kiosk a success.
Completion date: November 1, 2001
Step Six: Design a computer program that incorporates the multimedia elements
Once all the multimedia components have been collected, they
will need to be digitized in order to be incorporated into a computer
program. As they are collected in step five, they will also be
digitized. A computer program is the framework that places the movies,
music, sound, pictures, and text into a context. A program will need to be
designed that allows visitors to have easy access to the information. We 
will be utilizing touch screen technology, where visitors can directly touch the
screen to select options (instead of using a mouse). The program will
connect the touch screen with information stored on the computer. We will
need to find someone that has expertise in programming language, who can help us
create the program that we want. The program itself will be stored on the
hard drive of the computer, and will contain the necessary safeguards to prevent
computer hackers from breaking into the hard drive. Movies will most
likely be stored on a DVD disc.
Completion date: February 1, 2001
Step Seven: Test the computer program with a representative sample from the target audience
When the initial computer program is completed, it will be tested with members of the target audience for simplicity of use, comprehension of material, and knowledge of directional controls. The sample will be selected from visitors to the Schmeeckle Reserve, and therefore will be a form of nonprobability sampling. By using the results from our test, we can change the computer program to more efficiently satisfy the needs of our audience.
Completion date: March 15, 2001
Step Eight: Provide access to the general public
Once
the computer program testing procedures have been completed, the Conservation
Hall of Fame touch screen computers will be made available to all visitors of
the Schmeeckle Reserve. Two kiosk stations will be constructed by work
study students at Schmeeckle Reserve. The locked wooden kiosks will
protect the computer units from vandalism, while providing access to the
touch-sensitive screens. In case repairs are needed, the kiosks can be
unlocked to provide access to the computer units. The kiosks will be
constructed to meet the standards of universal accessibility, so all visitors to
the Schmeeckle Reserve can enjoy the interactive exhibits.
Completion date: April 1, 2001
Step Nine: Evaluate the effectiveness and success of the computer touch screen kiosks
Depending on the time remaining in my program and how efficiently the previous eight steps are completed, this step may be completed by another graduate student at a later date. The exhibit should be monitored after being installed, and its effectiveness should be evaluated. If the exhibit is not effective, the program should be modified to increase its success.
Completion date: Three months to one year after the installation
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