A presentation made at the Chicago History Museum on 2/24/2009 to accompany a workshop on participatory exhibit design.

1. social technology
and the participatory
(history) museum
nina simon, museum 2.0

2. the outline
what is social technology
why it works
how to use it to revolutionize museums

3. what is social technology?
tools that enable people to create,
share, and connect with each other

4. the Web isn’t necessary,

5. the Web isn’t necessary,
but it makes some things easier
easier to publish easier to distribute

6. the Web isn’t necessary,
but it makes some things easier
easier to access easier to track

7. the Web isn’t necessary,
but it makes some things easier
zine blog
radio show podcast
group project wiki
word of mouth ratings-enabled site
address book social network

8. and as things get easier,
users can depend on each other
old relationship new relationships
Authority is content provider Authority is platform provider

9. what does a participatory platform look like?

10. how do the best ones work?

11. so how can you do it well?
be an authority
be a participant
(or do both)

12. participatory design can be used for...
marketing research exhibit design
blended onsite/online
programs games
experiences

22. three recommendations
1. engage all kinds of participants

23. three recommendations
1. engage all kinds of participants
2. start small with something that excites you

24. three recommendations
1. engage all kinds of participants
2. start small with something that excites you
3. be clever about ways to get away from the Web

25. questions
What kinds of visitor expression and sharing do
you most want to support?
How can participatory design positively
supplement the work you already do?
How will you tend the garden? Who will do it?
What concerns does this bring up? What is
outside your participatory comfort zone?