The New Media Consortium (NMC) has released the NMC Horizon Report 2015 Museum Edition, identifying key trends and challenges impacting museums.
The NMC Horizon Reports present a community-driven approach to assessing the key trends, challenges, and technology developments that various communities are facing. For each of the areas identified, the 2015 Museum Edition provides an overview, implications, and suggestions for further readings. Here are the trends and challenges discussed in the report.
Key Trends Accelerating Technology Adoption in Museums
Long-Term Impact: Driving technology adoption in museums for five or more years
- Expanding the Boundaries of Creativity
- Rise of Private Companies in Museum Education
Mid-Term Impact: Driving technology adoption in museums for three to five years
- Increasing Cross-Institution Collaboration
- Increasing Focus on Data Analytics for Museum Operations
Short-Term Impact: Driving technology adoption in museums for the next one to two years
- Expanding the Concept of Visitors
- Increasing Focus on Participatory Experiences
Significant Challenges Impeding Technology Adoption in Museums
Solvable Challenges: Those that we understand and know how to solve
- Developing Digital Strategies
- Improving Digital Literacy of Museum Professionals
Difficult Challenges: Those that we understand but for which solutions are elusive
- Balancing Our Connected and Unconnected Lives
- Measuring the Impact of New Technologies
Wicked Challenges: Those that are complex to even define, much less address
- Maintaining Progress in Technology, Workflows, and Infrastructure
- Privacy Concerns
Important Developments in Technology for Museum Education and Interpretation
Time-to-Adoption Horizon: One Year or Less
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Games and Gamification
Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Two to Three Years
- Location-Based Services
- Makerspaces
Time-to-Adoption Horizon: Four to Five Years
- Natural User Interfaces
- The Internet of Things
The New Media Consortium publishes Horizon Reports for other communities as well. Two that are particularly relevant to UC Berkeley are the 2015 Higher Education Edition and the 2015 Library Edition.