On-Gallery Evaluation

Audio Visual Elements

Aims

• To analyse if the audio-visual elements within the museum both engage and educate the visitors

• Own analysis of audio-visual elements• Observe and interview visitors • Create a report on findings• Suggest changes to audio-visual elements to

enhance quality or effectiveness

• After exploring the museum and gaining an understanding of mining we were able to determine whether or not the audio-visual elements were successful

• The elements we analysed were: The Lode model, The Big Bang to Lode animation, The Stope Model and The Geevor Film

• We determined the content, context and quality of each exhibit and then agreed on changes, if any, could be made

Geevor Film Big Bang to Lode Lode Model Stope Model

Content

Actual footage from minesHistory and downfall of

Geevor Processes of mining

Brief/ simple run through of the formation of rocks/tin.

Text for both minerals and broader display to back up information on film.

Shows veins of mines and major mine shafts.

Lights up and raises up to display cross-section of shafts and tunnels.

Brief description of methodology.

Explains terminology and describes processes.

Artefacts and images maintain interest in exhibit.

Context

Paints the story of mining in Geevor

Backs up the information given on the tour well

Shows how tin is made as a base metal.

Concise text on minerals about origin and type.

Other text on Cornwall as broad topic.

Shows what comes from the earth.

Base knowledge of mining.Shows how mineral rich the

area is and the exploitation of the landscape. Shows the extent of mines in the earth.

Gives scale of mining operation.

Shows tins uses in society.

Shows how aspects of mining operate.

Gives human aspect through images and background detail.

Text concise and informative.

Quality

People can see mining in action.

You can see the machinery from the tour working, even the pieces that are missing.

Good length though young children might lose interest.

The text and theory is given substance and reality by the footage

Modern animation and appeals to youth and people who do not want to spend a lot of time reading.

Content is clear and understandable

Simplifies the process of tin formation

Modern. Simple to use.Good instructions.Large images of people help

visitors to empathise.Well presented and easy to

follow.

Purposeful images that directly relate to model.

Easy to read and absorb.Puts theory and words into

action

Changes

• Although the exhibits could be very engaging and interesting, their main aim is to convey knowledge to the visitor, and if they did not communicate the processes, then they are not serving their purpose.

• Changes that could be suggested would be hard to implement since the audio-visual elements are costly to make and difficult to alter if the problem is in the actual content or presentation of the content.

Lode Model Big Bang to Lode Stope Model Geevor Film

General

Labelling on the cross section to show scale.

Manual start – prevents walking in half way through.Clearer narrator.Louder.

Lighting on the tin Lode to show what miners are drilling for.Stick of dynamite in hole to show purpose of Stoping.Change angle of man to show all equipment etc.

Not targeted at children, a bit longwinded to keep a child interested.

Information

Brief textual description inside to ensure people attach theory to images .

Overview

The Model displayed the range and characteristics of Lodes in an interesting way.Information provided was sufficient in detail and quality.

Detailed yet simple. Not overwhelming in the background knowledge of tin.

The Model is engaging, but a bit isolated, we found if text or an audio description was accompanying it, the model would convey information much more easily.

No real issues with the film. A concise 25 minute film providing information on all aspects of Geevor.

LODE MODELMain suggestions for improvements are:

Show the scale of the cross-section.

Have more labelling on the model itself.

BIG BANG ANIMATIONAgain 100% of people agreed that the Big Bang animation was engaging and interesting and the film was supported sufficiently by the surrounding exhibit.Main suggestions for improvement are:Change the voice over.Increase the volume of the animation. Have some way of enabling the visitors to start the film when they get to it rather than having it playing constantly.

STOPE MODEL90% of people said that the model added extra value to the exhibition. Main suggestions for improvement are:

Put information about the stoping process inside the model so you cannot miss it.

Change angle of the man in the model so visitors can see the equipment. The way it is makes it difficult to see what is behind the man.

Put better lighting in the model.

GEEVOR FILM• 100% responses agreed that the Geevor Film was of an

appropriate length and that there was sufficient detail given in the film.

• Main suggestions for improvement are:• There needed to be more focus on the aspects of

mining like grizzlies and stoping.• Maybe some animations for young children.• People wanted more interviews with miners.

Conclusion

• Overall, when regarding all aspects, not solely the audio-visual elements, we judged the museum to be a great success.

• Well presented and ordered, the exhibits guide you round in a logical manner.

• The museum contains the right combination of information and entertainment to achieve the optimum environment for learning, and the audio-visual elements are crucial in this aspect.

• Apart from a few minor changes, we found the audio-visual elements to be engaging and informative at the same time

• After viewing the a-v elements, we now have a basic, broad understanding of mining processes and of Geevor’s History

The signs situated around the site are often vital to the experience of the visitors, for if they cannot find the museum, they cannot learn from or enjoy the exhibits

Small signs, such as this portable signpost,

are useful for directing visitors

around the site since they can relocated,

easily altered, and do not require any damage to the ground. Large

permanent signposts would be

unsympathetic to the whole ambience of the

site, whereas small unobtrusive signs are

perfect for the job.

Clear signs, like this one on the side of the museum, are easily followed, enabling the visitors to quickly find their way to the exhibits.

The map shown previously is ideal, since, for a site of this size, you can easily guide yourself around the site without confusion.

The appeal of this site is its authenticity, and it upholds this in the freedom that visitors are given in their ability to roam the site.

There are no strict paths to adhere to, and people can wander where they want (within reason) and experience the mine without stringent restrictions.