Augmented Reality: Enhance the reality and the experience – BSc thesis
Title: Augmented Reality: Enhance the reality and the experience: A systematic literature review of augmented reality in museum exhibits
Title in Swedish: Augmented reality för kunskap och upplevelse: En systematisk litteraturstudie om augmented reality inom utställningsverksamheter
Authors: Inez Dys, Johan Tapper
Institution: Stocholm University (SU), Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), Sweden
Date and language: Autumn term 2020, Swedish
Type: Thesis at BSc level degree project 15 HP (sv: Självständigt arbete på grundnivå [kandidatexamen])
Key words: Augmented Reality, Exhibitions, User Experience, Museum, Cultural heritage
Advisor: Mirjam Palosaari Eladhari
Abstract
Augmented Reality (AR), systems that combine the real with the virtual in real-time, is an emerging technology that is becoming more prevalent in teaching environments to increase user engagement and learning. Previous research in AR for museums and cultural heritage sites suggests that the technology has great potential in informal learning. AR is used in various ways in exhibitions to improve learning and the visitor experience, for instance by augmenting exhibited objects to reveal lost or hidden information. The problem addressed in this thesis is that an overview of how AR is used in exhibitions is needed. The purpose of the thesis is to provide an overview of the usage of AR in exhibitions and to provide support to decision-makers in the implementation of AR in exhibitions. The research questions of the thesis are: How is augmented reality being used today in exhibitions? How can augmented reality be used in the future in exhibitions? What challenges exist with augmented reality in exhibitions? In order to answer the research questions, a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis is carried out. The data collection was carried out by means of a literature search in relevant databases, followed by an inclusion and exclusion process which resulted in 59 articles to be analysed. The approach for the thematic synthesis was both deductive and inductive, meaning that top-level descriptive themes were created first and developed during the coding process. The results of the analysis show that AR is used in various ways, for various purposes and in different contexts within exhibitions. Mobile devices for learning through visual media was the most frequently occurring combination in the reviewed articles. Mobile devices are predicted to be the most commonly used device in the future as well. The challenges that may arise during in the implementation of AR for exhibitions, based on the results, are mostly due to the limitations of the AR device. Other recurring problems were tracking and lighting conditions as well as the cognitive and physical overload of users. The result of the thesis is meant to support decision-makers in the implementation of AR for exhibitions by presenting recommendations grounded in the results. Finally, suggestions for future research are discussed.