GPS-Triggered Location-Based Technologies at Parks Canada: The Explora Project

GPS-Triggered Location-Based Technologies at Parks Canada: The Explora Project Tamara Tarasoff & Morag Hutcheson (Parks Canada) Christophe Rhin (Camineo) 18 April 2009

Parks Canada Agency Who We Are and What We Do

We are a federal agency mandated to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage

We manage 42 national parks, 158 national historic sites, 3 national marine conservation areas from coast to coast to coast

Why GPS-triggered Location-based Technology? Many perceived benefits

No physical infrastructure required, works in remote outdoor settings

Could appeal to existing and reach new audiences (Banff New Media Institute Research, 2007)

Could contribute to learning and meaningful visitor experience (WebPark, Dias 2007)

Should Parks Canada Invest in this Technology? Two supporting questions

Can Parks Canada staff develop this type of technology project using their own resources and expertise?

How do GPS-triggered, location-based devices affect visitor learning and experience in outdoor settings?

Content Developed by Staff? Yes!

150 days of site staff time to develop the first project; half this time needed to develop subsequent trails

Staff needed: part-time project manager and interpreter; GIS specialist, subject matter experts, visitor services, IT, others

User Evaluation: Research Questions

How do visitors use the device?

How does this technology affect the experience of visitors on the trail?

What do visitors learn from it?

Would visitors rent a device like this if it were available, here or in other parks or sites?

Which segments of the audience are most positive towards this technology?

Methodology Data collected between July 8 th (at SH) and July 14 th (at KJ) to Sept. 15 th , 2008 Tally Sheets Questionnaires Observation Diaries Data Logs n (SH) n (KJ) 384 278 10 12 192 102 395 253

1. How Was It Used? Data logs show actual use

Red = Pushed POIs

Green = User actions (low speed)

Many users explore content at start and at each pushed point of interest.

Visitors typically DO

Read content out loud to other group members

Interact with each other and the surroundings

Access 2 nd level content (select ‘More’, Quiz, Audio or Video button)

1. How Was It Used? Typical use of the device

Visitors typically DO NOT

Access content that is not attached to a POI

Argue over the device

Get distracted by the technology itself

2. How Was the Experience?

2. How Did It Change the Experience? (Before) (Before) (Before) (Before) (After) (After) (After) (After)

3. What Was Learned?

4. How Much Would They Pay? • Majority would pay ($4 - $6) for a 1/2-day rental • Little appetite for prices exceeding $6

5. Which Users Reacted Most Positively? They all did. • There is no category that reacted negatively to the technology. • The technology clearly has a broad appeal.

Recommendations and Lessons Learned