Science-Backed Examples of How Audio Tours Can Benefit Museums
Museums are a treasure trove of knowledge and history, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information available. This is where audio tours come in handy. By providing visitors with a guided audio tour, museums can enhance their visitor’s experience and provide them with a deeper understanding of the exhibits. But is there any scientific evidence to back up the benefits of audio tours? In this blog, we will explore several science-backed examples of how audio tours benefit museums. From improved learning outcomes to increased visitor engagement, we will delve into the research to demonstrate how audio tours can be a valuable tool for museums to enhance their visitors’ experience.
- Increase visitor engagement: In a study conducted at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, researchers found that visitors who used audio tours were more engaged with the exhibits and stayed longer than those who did not use the audio tour. The researchers also found that visitors who used the audio tour were more likely to remember the information they learned during their visit.
- Improve visitor learning: Another study conducted at the Smithsonian American Art Museum found that visitors who used an audio tour learned more about the exhibits and retained more information than those who did not use the audio tour. The study also found that visitors who used the audio tour had a more positive overall experience and were more likely to recommend the museum to others.
- Increase accessibility: In a study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage, researchers found that audio tours can be especially helpful for visitors with visual impairments, as they allow these visitors to access information about the exhibits that may not be available through text labels or exhibit signage.
- Provide a personalized experience: A study published in the Journal of Museum Education found that audio tours can provide visitors with a more personalized experience, as they allow visitors to choose which exhibits or artifacts they want to learn more about. The study also found that visitors who used audio tours reported feeling more engaged with the exhibits and had a more positive overall experience.
- Expand reach: In a study published in the Journal of Heritage Tourism, researchers found that audio tours distributed online can help museums reach a wider audience, including those who may not be able to physically visit the museum. The study also found that online audio tours can increase visitor engagement with the museum and may even encourage visitors to visit the museum in person.
In Conclusion
Audio tours offer a range of benefits to museum visitors, from enhancing learning outcomes to improving overall visitor satisfaction. By providing a more immersive and interactive experience, audio tours can help visitors engage more deeply with the exhibits and foster a greater appreciation for the museum. Moreover, audio tours can also make museums more accessible to visitors with disabilities, be an effective marketing tool, and attract a wider range of visitors. If you haven’t tried an audio tour yet, it’s definitely worth considering the next time you visit a museum.
Interested in getting an audio tour app for your museum? Fill out this form to get information about the app delivery process, pricing and features!
