The Tech Virtual:
Open Source Methodology and Design for
Museum Content
SRIC-BI Virtual Worlds@Work
Oct. 9, 2009

2 Aspects:

Virtual exhbits:
Yes, but not main focus
Virtual content is an artifact
of the development.

Student - facing activities
currently run in
Kidscom.com

“Design Challenge Learning ” -
TM T
interactive real-time exercises.

Current Design Competitions:
Microchip Gallery
Digital Arts
Basic Laws of Physics
Program for the Future
(20-60 Active projects at any given time)

Entire gallery space

Developers can start with “blank”

Participation through web only -
Use familiar tools and screenshots.

Collaborative development with
reviews, comments, teams.

Removed VW
barrier to entry.
Add team
members with
other skills.

Modular
content fields.

Curate content across multiple
museums.

Ease of Licensing:
Work contributed to http://www.thetechvirtual.org is
licensed under theCreative Commons “Attribution 3.0
Unported” License.
Details regarding the license can be found at:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Creative Commons 559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Use platform
to develop
new tools?
Program for
the Future
Challenge

Best use of combined tools:
“A true, mixed reality workplace”

The Future:
More modular exhibits
Self-evaluating exhibits
A bazaar for exhibit ideas
An open source exhibit economy

Partner with us!
Evaluation
Extend engagement after visit.
Extend Tech Tag
Develop new connections between
on-site and online content.
Add open-source resources
Find new applications for museum
use. Engage creatives in OS methods.

Contacts:
Rob Stephenson, Curator, The Tech Virtual
rstephenson@thetech.org
Bob Ketner, Virtual Community Manager
rketner@thetech.org
www.TheTechVirtual.org