Guidelines for utilizing technology to enhance art learning in art museums and galleries in Thailand

Ampai Tiranasar, Intira Phrompan and Patumma Bumpentan
Chulalongkorn University
Bangkok, Thailand

The specific objectives of this research are: (1) to study the current state of technology-enhanced art learning in art museums and galleries in Thailand; and (2) to propose guidelines for utilizing technology to enhance art learning in this context. This study involves focus group discussion with six experts and 78 participants. The research includes a review of online resources via content analysis of a survey of technology-enhanced art learning, such as websites, social media, and mobile applications. The outcomes of this review were used to retrieve suggestions from experts by means of a focus group discussion, together with a list of topics related to utilizing technology to enhance art learning. The opinions and suggestions of the experts and the participants were recorded during the group discussion. The results of this research revealed that art museums and galleries in Thailand use websites and social media to present the contents of exhibitions, but they provide very little learning and research content, and online activities. Moreover, the museums/galleries have not utilize mobile applications. The experts suggested that today’s technology should play an important role in presenting contents, as well as publicizing the galleries and museums — technology should allow the audience to download exhibition and education contents; and the art educators should participate in the art museums/galleries knowledge management. The findings on guidelines for utilizing technology to enhance art learning in art museums and galleries in Thailand are discussed in this paper.