Page 213 - AC/E's Digital Culture Annual Report 2015

1. IntroductionWhereas only a couple of years ago the study Los museos en la era digital1 (Museums in the digital age) indicated a low usage of third-generation technology during the phase of visiting the physical premises of institutions, barely two years on the adoption of such technology isnow a very widespread reality in all kinds of museum institutions. Throughout the processof compiling this section of the AC/E Annual Report, we have detected that a broad spectrum of museums use all kinds of mobile applications, QR codes, touchscreens, sensorial technology, geolocation and augmented reality, among other technology, to develop new services that allow them to enrich the discovery process in their exhibitions and activities, as well as interconnec- tions between visitors.This broadening of the scope for action is driven chiefly by a change of mentality in the team of professionals in charge of managing museums. It is necessary to realise that innovation can be anadvantage as it is enriching, makes the museum a more social and dynamic place, and organises tasks in a cross-cutting way and with the helpof professionals who, while not belonging to the field of study and content of the museum, can offer very useful know-how when it comes to introducing technology to the institution.So-called “new technology” is fully integrated into our society. We relate to it as part of our daily life. It is a fact that smartphones, comput- ers – even devices known as wearables – broaden the ways in which we communicate, select information and socialise. We have therefore now entered a next phase that marks a break away from what we have been observing, analys- ing and experiencing in recent years. We might call this technology “third generation”, although some types are familiar to us due to their exper- imental use in other sectors or because they are the evolution or instrumentalisation of earlier ones.