Training
workshop on the use of new technologies for Museums
- Caribbean Islands
22-25 August 2001
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
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For
museums geographically isolated as in the Caribbean
islands, new technologies, such as the Internet, represent
an opportunity to fill the communication gap. Access
to the Internet facilitates contacts and communication
amongst museum professionals through use of e-mails
and participation in discussion lists. Computerised
libraries, databases and museum collections inventories
-especially when available on the Internet- facilitate
and increase research opportunities. The Internet
also helps museums to commercialise their products
- reproductions, cards, CD-ROMs, publications ...
To face the needs identified, ICOM and the Museums
Association of the Caribbean (MAC)
organised a Training Workshop on the use of new technologies
for museums in Curaçao, hosted by the Jacob Gelt Dekker
Institute and the Museum Kura Hulanda.
This Workshop was the first activity in the Caribbean
region organised by ICOM, in co-ordination with MAC.
The implementation of this Workshop was possible thanks
to the financial support of UNESCO.
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Objectives:
The aim of the workshop was to assist museums to make better
use of the Internet.
Participants
profile:
Museum professionals from the Dutch, French, Spanish
and English-speaking Carribean.
Content:
Session 1: Generalities
concerning the Internet
Connection, providers access, Internet Services (browsers,
URLS and domain names, search engines and directories, e-mail,
newsletters, discussion forums...) were presented.
Session 2:
Designing a web site
This session developed an understanding of the principles
of designing a Web site. The trainer presented specific
methods and processes for designing a site, taking examples
from existing Web sites. At the end of the session, participants
could obtain the template for a complete design document.
The goals and the audience were also identified. Within
this session great importance was given to the information
architecture including site content, function and structure.
Session 3: Visual design
This session increased the understanding of participants
as to how well visual design supports the goals of a Web
site and the intended user experience.
Session 4: Creating a Web site
This session was almost a practical exercise. The trainer
presented the basics of the HTML language and participants
developed a Web site from their project. Various software
for the creation of a Web site was discussed as well as
the promotion of the Web site on the Internet.
The .museum
domain was presented to the participants.
Results:
At the end of the Workshop the Web sites created
by the participants were presented and follow-up activities
were identified and discussed by the participants.
Follow-up:
Other two workshops on the same subject are planned for
the Pacific Islands and Central Asia.
A discussion list for the Caribbean museums
will be developed and managed at local level.
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