Immersive Libraries & Museums

            Libraries and Museums Technology Working Group (LIB, TWG) creates the Immersive Education standards that relate to their library and museum services.  One can join this portion of the Immersive Education Initiative with experience in libraries, museums, digital versions of each, and in the development of virtual worlds, among others.  With the transition of research and communication from print to multimedia, libraries and museums are tasked with developing services to work more effectively in the modern technological age.  Librarians must constantly work with changes from print to digital resources in the learning environment in order to adapt to new methods of learning and researching.

            With museum education, audiences are sought to experience education in more modern and relevant forms.  Presentation of museum artifacts has been transforming into a more interactive medium in which to collaborate ideas and interpretations.  This realm of virtual interaction serves to expound upon the breadth of knowledge related to the museum experience.  The technology being developed for today’s learners and researchers will be geared toward a more virtual learning and collaborative environment for literacy programs, research consultation, and interlibrary document management (and countless other possibilities).

            The objective of the LAM/TWG initiative is to support and develop library and museum services in the realm of Immersive Education.  While there are many facets to this main objective of development and provision, there are a few key points worth noting.  One of the main objectives is to design a specific framework that would serve to begin development of the necessary support, products and services that align with Immersive Education.  Identifying and using collaborative funding as opportunities for project advancement is another important aspect.  And the last key objective to note is focusing on the promotion of networking and community for practitioners and users to collaborate in building these immersive library and museum environments.

            The Libraries and Museums Technology Working Group has also developed a set of criteria to ensure the success of service implementation.  These standards create a framework in which individuals and organizations can create and use the services being developed by LAM/TWG.  Research studies, designing, documentation and delivery of services are some of the key points outlining the goal for successful completion.  With this and all other components of creating library and museum services, this project (and Immersive Education) will be able to develop educational activities and digital archives for the modern technological user and researcher.

SOURCE: Immersive Education Libraries and Museums Technology Working Group (LAM/TWG)

If you would like to learn more about LAM/TWG or other Immersive Education projects, please visit the Journal of Immersive Education at http://JiED.org