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Evaluating ‘Thetford Tomb Raiders’: Sharing research findings via an App Nicola Beddall-Hill @CityMobileAngel Research Associate, University of Leicester, UK The Representing Re-Formation project @RepReformation www.representingreformation.net

Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013

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Presentation at AltC2013: The Representing Re-Formation project is an interdisciplinary Science and Heritage project exploring the multifaceted lives of the prominent noble family, the Howard Dukes of Norfolk, during the era of Reformation. This three-year project has been studying the Howard Tombs and possibly associated fragments using 3D laser scanning techniques and expertise from multiple research disciplines. Partners include the University of Leicester, University of Oxford, The Yale Center for British Art, Yale University and English Heritage. This project ends in September 2013 and we are hopeful that the findings of this big research can be successfully shared with the public. Strategies include a project website, public exhibition and free educational iPad application and educational resources which contextualise the research findings in situ. These activities are seen as integral to increasing the project’s impact by attempting to make academic research more accessible. The presentation will cover the app design, development and evaluation. The aim is to communicate the projects findings and the work academic researchers cover. The app encourages the investigation and discovery of artifacts found at the Thetford Priory site using AR. The focus is upon the evaluation framework used and data collected, concluding with discussions around using such media for communicating research findings to the public as an educational resource.

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Page 1: Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013

Evaluating ‘Thetford Tomb Raiders’: Sharing research findings via an App

Nicola Beddall-Hill @CityMobileAngelResearch Associate, University of Leicester, UKThe Representing Re-Formation [email protected]

Page 2: Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013
Page 3: Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013

Exploring the TombsExploring the lives & deaths of the Howards during the Reformation period

Focus upon their ornate Tomb monuments which originally stood at Thetford priory till the dissolution & were moved to Framlingham

Art History with scanning technology from Space Science (both UoL) exploring what the tombs might have looked like if they had stood at Thetford

History (Oxford) focus upon Howards & their funerals as public events

Associated work via Yale Center for British Art, Yale University, English Heritage & Norfolk Museums

Archaeology (UoL) exploring 1930 finds

Computer science & Museums Studies (UoL)-public engagement

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Representing Re-Formation: Reconstructing Renaissance Monuments

PI: Phillip Lindley CoIs: George Fraser, Steven Gunn, Effie Law, Ross Parry

3D scanned image for manipulation

As the Tombs stand today at Framlingham

Page 5: Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013

Representing Re-Formation: Design groupVarious outputs:

• Website• Exhibition with digital aspects• Digital Interactive Interpretation• Educational resources

iOS iPad App…Bringing priory ruins & findings to life - affordances of Location aware Tech & AR – linking to resources

Page 6: Evaluating 'Thetford tomb raiders' Sharing research findings via an App AltC2013

Challenge 1: Our diverse App audience

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Challenge 2: What will it tell us & how?

How to translate the findings of different disciplines

What have you found & When is it ready?

Understanding these findings (Explain that again please…)

Translating these to our audience (why is it interesting?) using which media/language?

Mitigated by the divergent audience needs/interests – using focus groups & survey feedback & reference to GLOSs & Lit review on inquiry based Apps & AR technology

Oh No…not another tour guide please! Interactive activities to be supported by ‘downloadable’ educational & family friendly resources

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Using the map, locating the finds & information, seeing the missing 2nd Duke’s Tomb & situating the 3rd Duke’s Tomb

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Some key lessons• Technological knowledge caused some design misunderstandings • Learning app – is it possible when translating findings? • Lots of regular working meetings are essential• Staggered times alongside the main project• Accepting limitations of money & time• Discipline specific misunderstandings• Consider design across iOS devices• Less cooks & project managers• Difficult not to be a ‘guide’

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The challenges of evaluating mobile learning: A 3-level framework: MyArtSpace projectGiasemi Vavoula & Mike Sharples (2009)

6 CHALLENGES1.Capturing and analysing learning in & across context2.Measuring mobile learning processes & outcomes3.Respecting privacy4.Assessing utility & usability5.The wider organisational and socio-cultural context of learning6.Assessing in/formality.

Proposed & tested a 3-level frameworkMicro level: usabilityMeso level: learning experienceMacro level: Integration within existing contexts

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Evaluation Model applied to this App

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Results hot off the press!Thetford Festival 7th Sept – Tudor theme & exhibition public launch

1400 people came – several talks and tours run throughout the day, including 3 App tours

60 people – wide audience range – mini interviews, head camera and surveys (50%)

Initial findings – most often described as interesting & informative & funOnly 1 found it difficult or very difficult to use90% found it very enjoyable83.3% would download it & 90% would share it60.6% learnt at least one new thing from using it

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Thank you for listening!

• The final phase of evaluation will continue in Oct/Nov – App release Sept

• FREE App – ‘Thetford’s Tudor Tombs’

• If you want to take a peek come and see it on my iPad

• App store by the end of September 2013

• Please share with history buffs, departments and schools, enables onsite & offsite use

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Thank you for listening!

If you want to take a peek come and see it on my iPad

Download yourself: visit onsite or offsiteLook out for the – ‘Thetford’s Tudor Tombs’ (p.s its Free)

Please share with history buffs, departments and schools

App store by the end of September 2013