Technology and the art of visitor engagement

Technology used by US attractions to entertain, engage and educate visitors in a fun and interactive way is now available in Australia.
Dallas Zooâs mission is to be âan outstanding center of education, entertainment and wildlife conservation�?. As part of their education strategy they aim to address three key areas;
⢠Engaging schools, families & the younger visitor population
⢠Addressing feedback that visitors enjoy close up or behind the scenes interaction with animals & their keepers
⢠Providing tools & measurement to promote free-choice learning.
Dallas Zooâs commitment to becoming a modern zoo in the digital age led them to adopt a solution using some very smart new technology to deliver these outcomes via interactive video presentations. Keen not to disrupt the natural surroundings of the park with TV monitors they implemented a set of small hand held video devises called the GPS Ranger ®. Suitable for small school groups, families or equally for individuals they go way beyond the traditional audio tour by providing high definition video, animation, map tools, interactive questions & learning exercises.
Cynthia Bennett, Ph.D., Curator of Conservation, Education and Science at the Zoo explains that ânothing can replace the personal nature of the zookeeper talks but this is the next best thing.�?
Using this technology effectively, the Zoo can automatically deliver relevant messages in the same way an in-car navigation system does using global position system (GPS) technology.
Using GPS located trigger zones the video content is automatically played as the visitor moves around the Zoo. Each video message & appropriate trigger zone is customized to the Zooâs key experiences or opportunities. Information is then presented based on their location, but can also be manually recalled to watch a favourite segment again, or to see something they may not have passed.
This âbehind-the-scenesâ element is a science lesson in itself that teachers have enjoyed sharing with students. The Zooâs 650,000 annual visitors all have the chance to get an extra special view into the life of their animals, the keepers, as well as a wealth of knowledge & information about the animals.
According to Dallas Zoo Executive Director Gregg Hudson, âitâs like having a team of zookeepers taking you on a tour.�?
The Zoo says that the solution compliments the range of keeper talks and tours but gives many more people the chance to really learn & experience what they have to offer. Visitors rent the devises for US$6.95 for a tour and can be combined with in-house promotion and advertising revenue to turn this 21st century learning tool into an eco-friendly sustainable source of revenue.
The International Spy Museum in Washington DC is another attraction that has introduced this technology.
Interactivity was the key mission for the Spy Museum to give visitors a real taste of espionage activity as well as the thrill of the chase. Using the same GPS Ranger ® technology they developed a very engaging game that takes visitors out onto the streets of Washington DC to decipher messages, gain clues & seek code words hidden at key locations. Visitors can become an âundercover ops agentâ for the Special Security Division for just US $14.95 as part of a great day out at the museum.
The sophisticated game play technology allows for a âchoose-you-own-adventure�? style experience that depends on skill level, preferences & decisions that visitors take along the way. The adventures last about 90 minutes and whether visitors go as a group, or as their own undercover agent, itâs a sightseeing adventure never seen before.
There are over 30 other venues across the USA using the GPS Ranger® solutions. These include numerous Zoos and National Parks as well as entire cities - such as Austin, Texas which includes the solution as part of its Visitor Centreâs Historical Walki
info@gpsadventureguides.com.au
http://www.gpsadventures.com.au