Project Title:  Black-Footed Ferrets

Media Category: Interactive Surfaces

Museum/ Institution: National Zoo, DC

Media Category: Interactive Kiosk

Program Created:  unknown

Program URL (if available):   http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/Facts/fact-ferret.cfm

Project Image(s) and/or Video

MVI_1646.AVI

Media Source(s)/Credit(s): MK du Laney, 2011

Program Description: (150-250 words)

This kiosk is located in the small mammal house at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC.  The kiosk is a simple touch-screen, with no sound, which is mounted on the wall directly next to the ferret habitat.  The three options on the “Saving Black-Footed Ferrets” home screen are: Ferret Facts, Extinction Interrupted and Back to the Wild!  The text selections appear on the right-hand side of the screen, with corresponding images on the left.  The bottom of the screen depicts a ferret with the word “Back” underneath to return to the main menu.  The “Ferret Facts” option has seven choices of touch-screen points with basic text info that pops up about the ferret.  The images on the left-hand side of the screen change with each selection from the menu.  The other two sections are set up in a similar fashion.  The descriptions are brief and written at about a middle school ability level.  The white text is on a static blue background, and the images include ferrets at the zoo and Smithsonian staff members working with them.

Firsthand or secondary review/critique: (150-250 words) 

Overall, I thought the touch-screen was a good addition to the habitat.  In fairness, it was easy to access the day I went because the ferrets were not currently in the habitat.  Normally, I think the placement may be difficult for use as every other habitat where animals were present was jam-packed full of children and adults, all with their cameras and camera-phones out and snapping away.  I think the kiosk may be better placed before the exhibit, or one on each side to alleviate crowding.  I found the simplicity to be appropriate based on the young age of many visitors.  Also, the hall was far too noisy for audio to have been effective, so I think it was wise to leave it out.  As you can see in the video, however, the screen was not very responsive , showing lots of lag and the need to be spot-on with touches  - difficult to do with small hotspots and people pushing to get a look.

Technologies incorporated:

 touch-screen, no audio

Internally or externally produced: internally

Entry Contributor and Date: Mary Kate du Laney, 22 March 2011

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