Category Archives: Critiques

This is where I talk about programs, products, digital tools and more produced by museums.

Revisiting Digital Media at the Museum of Mathematics, One Year Later

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Barry

A year ago I visited and posted a critique of the new NYC-based Museum of Mathematics (re: Digital Media at the new Museum of Mathematics). Educator Dora Kravitz replied at the time, “I completely agree with your take on nearly … Continue reading →

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Raising the Bar: The Launch of Smithsonian’s X 3D

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Barry

The bar has just been raised. Someone had to step up and plant a stake in the ground, carrying the banner for the role of digital fabrication in Museums. Today, the Smithsonian has stepped into that role, with its rallying … Continue reading →

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A Critique of the Zoo App Shutterbugs, or “On Second Thought, Maybe This App Doesn’t Suck”…

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Barry

I write this post in part as an apology, in part to remind me not to repeat the error, and in part (and this is why it is public) to explore with you some fascinating lessons that can be learned … Continue reading →

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What’s Behind A Photo? An Inquisitive Critique of the Academy of Natural Sciences

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Barry

Below is a photo taken by Akiva, my seven-year old son. He took it on a  recent family trip to Philadelphia, when we visited the Academy of Natural Sciences. If his interest through the museum can be measured by the … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Future: oblong’s Mezzanine & Greenhouse

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Barry

What you picture when you hear the phrase “Minority Report” says a lot about you. For some it refers to the short story by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. For others it refers to the Steven Spielberg/Tom Cruise blockbuster … Continue reading →

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A Tour of the Space Visualization Lab at the Adler Planetarium

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Barry

When I was out last week at the Digital Media and Learning Conference, after my inspiring tour of the Field, I walked out the thin peninsula in the windy snow to meet with Robert Friedman of the Adler Planetarium. Robert … Continue reading →

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Digital Media and Learning at the Field Museum

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Barry

Eve Gaus is the Digital Learning Manager at the Field Museum in Chicago. When I was out last week at the Digital Media and Learning Conference, she was generous enough to take me around, talk about their new digital learning … Continue reading →

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(Almost) The Most Important Museum App of 2012

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Barry

I don’t care if it was first launched in November, 2011. As Version 2.0 came out October last year, I’d like to call The Field Museum’s Specimania the best app of 2012. I’d like to, but I can’t. It is … Continue reading →

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Critique: Event of a (Steampunk) Thread & The Death of a Mad Elephant

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Barry

I was not going to write about The Event of a Thread here, even though I loved it so much that I returned with my family just a few days later, back in December last year: As you might sense … Continue reading →

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Back to the Future: From Wunderkammer to Contemporary Museum

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Barry

In just 18 days, we will launch the four new programs in our first Digital Learning Week. Each is designed using a different digital tool to explore a different museum hall. Today I want to write about some of our … Continue reading →

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