Ringel, Gail. “In a Language They’ll Understand: Media and Museums.” (2010)

There are many forms of electronic media that can be used in museums including large screen theatres, interactive computers, ambient audio, object theatre, and video to name a few. It is important that media in history exhibitions work for kids since kids have grown up in a media saturated world, where any information they could possibly want is at their fingertips. It is important to remind children that while films, games and novels may transport them to another world and be compelling, they are not necessarily history. History museums must be designed to provide a compelling experience for children while bridging the past with the present in an attempt to make history more relevant to the world kids live in today. It is important to create historical exhibitions that entice visitors to construct new understanding and media can be used as the bridge from past to present. When designing history exhibitions, it is important to focus on three characteristics of kids: they live in a media rich world, they are capable of sustained focus in museums environments, and their lives are fundamentally different from those who are planning the exhibition. It is important to choose the right media for a history exhibition and refrain from using too much technology simply because you can. In history museums where objects are key, the author suggests using object theatre, which gives the objects a voice while allowing the visitor to hear the objects’ stories. While it may seem intuitive to use media in history exhibitions for children, it is important to understand the interpretive purposes the media serve. Media aid in creating an environment where personal meaning and social significance, individual choice and public narrative are equally important. Finding a balance between personal choice and public narrative is key for kids and history exhibitions.