IMPROVING HABITAT DIORAMAS THROUGH THE USE OF AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY AT THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN ____________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, Chico ____________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Master of Arts in Anthropology Museum Studies Option ____________ by © Jacquelynn Coon 2017 Fall 2017 IMPROVING HABITAT DIORAMAS THROUGH THE USE OF AUGMENTED REALITY TECHNOLOGY AT THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN A Thesis by Jacquelynn Coon Fall 2017 APPROVED BY THE INTERIM DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES: _________________________________ Sharon Barrios, Ph.D. APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: ______________________________ _________________________________ Guy Q. King, Ph.D. Georgia Fox, Ph.D., Chair Graduate Coordinator _________________________________ William Nitzky, Ph.D. PUBLICATION RIGHTS No portion of this thesis may be reprinted or reproduced in any manner unacceptable to the usual copyright restrictions without the written permission of the author. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Georgia Fox for her continuous guidance, advice, and support throughout my graduate career and while serving as an (excellent) Committee Chair for this thesis. Her extensive knowledge provided me with the skills necessary to complete a thesis of this magnitude and has inspired me to continue into a museum-related career. Without Dr. Fox’s encouragement, expertise, and upbeat personality, this thesis would not have been possible. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Will Nitzky, who acted as a Committee Member for this thesis, and encouraged me to transform a seminar paper into a thesis. His “big ideas” way of thinking was immensely helpful while establishing the framework for this thesis. Many thanks are due to Adrienne Scott and Heather McCafferty, for always providing insight and words of encouragement. A big thank you to the staff of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, particularly Stephanie Orgen, for welcoming me into the museum and assisting me in research logistics. I would also like to thank Rosemary White for excellent support during the Human Subjects approval process, the Office of Graduate Studies for partially funding my research, and to Dr. David Eaton, who I feel transformed me into a stronger academic writer. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to my very talented cohort, who made Chico feel like home, to my friends and family, particularly Jenny and Lauren, for providing constant encouragement throughout the program, to Geoff, for always putting things into perspective, and to Vernon, for distracting me when I needed it. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Publication Rights....................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments....................................................................................................... iv List of Tables .............................................................................................................. vii List of Figures............................................................................................................. viii Abstract....................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I. Introduction to the Study .......................................................................... 1 Background................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem and Purpose of the Study..................... 5 Theoretical Bases and Organization ............................................. 6 Application of Theories ................................................................ 15 Limitations of the Study................................................................ 16 II. Review of the Literature ........................................................................... 19 Introduction................................................................................... 19 Positive Functions of Habitat Dioramas within the Contemporary Museum ....................................................... 24 Negative Functions of Habitat Dioramas within Contemporary Museums...................................................... 26 Habitat Diorama Function and Proposed Technical Solutions..... 29 An Exploration of Mobile Technology in Museums .................... 37 An Exploration of Augmented Reality Technology in Museums.............................................................................. 41 III. Methodology............................................................................................. 47 Design of the Investigation ........................................................... 47 Research Location and Sample Population................................... 51 Treatment of Study ....................................................................... 65 Phase I: Visitor Observations........................................................ 65 v CHAPTER PAGE Phase II: the Diorama Augmentation Process .............................. 68 Augmenting the Michigan Marsh Diorama .................................. 79 Launching the Augmented Diorama............................................. 85 Post-Augmentation Observations ................................................. 87 Phase III: AR Platform Product Comparison................................ 92 Data Analysis Procedures ............................................................. 102 IV. Findings and Results................................................................................. 107 Introduction................................................................................... 107 Presentation of the Findings from the February Visitor Studies.................................................................................. 107 Presentation of the Findings.......................................................... 119 Discussion of Findings.................................................................. 140 AR, Environmentalism, and the New Museum ............................ 145 V. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations....................................... 164 Summary....................................................................................... 164 Research Questions and Solutions................................................ 165 Conclusion .................................................................................... 167 Limitations and Future Research .................................................. 167 References Cited ......................................................................................................... 169 Appendices A. Human Subjects Clearance ....................................................................... 179 B. IRB Informed Consent.............................................................................. 183 C. IRB Investigative Tools ............................................................................ 185 D. Augmented Storyline................................................................................ 187 vi LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Thesis Timeline......................................................................................... 47 2. Marsh Diorama Elements of Interest and Disinterest............................... 70 3. AR Product Comparison........................................................................... 93 4. Post Augmentation Behavioral Ethogram ................................................ 111 5. Pre- and Post-Augmentation Changes in Element Popularity.................. 124 vii LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 1. The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)............................................ 52 2. GRPM Michigan Diorama........................................................................ 59 3. GRPM Marsh Diorama Plexiglas Interactive ........................................... 61 4. GRPM Species Identification Labels........................................................ 61 5. “Animals of the Marsh” Flip Book........................................................... 62 6. Marsh Sounds Push Button Interactive..................................................... 63 7. Beavers and Muskrats Interactive............................................................. 63 8. Purple Loosestrife and Great Blue Heron Diorama Elements.................. 71 9. Wood Ducks in the GRPM Marsh Diorama............................................. 73 10. The Snapping Turtle Interactive ............................................................... 75 11. Osprey and Mallard Duck Diorama Elements.......................................... 77 12. Watermilfoil Diorama Element................................................................. 78 13. The Water Cycle Label ............................................................................. 79 14. Marsh Functions Label ............................................................................. 80 15. Zapcodes................................................................................................... 84 16. Participants Using Zappar at the GRPM................................................... 89 17. Zappar Unlocking Content (Left) and Content (Right) ............................ 89 18. Total Zaps and Interaction Time at the Michigan Marsh Diorama .......... 124 viii ABSTRACT IMPROVING HABITAT DIORAMAS THROUGH THE USE