Online storytelling: taking digital back to basics
Over half of the world’s population now has an internet connection. In this digital era, how do we create compelling yet accessible learning experiences for the global public? In a time where 'fake news' is rife, museums have a big part to play in becoming reliable resources of information online. We need to get back to basics: listening to the needs of the users and innovative storytelling.
In this sharing and discovery session, digital experts will share and discuss their experiences of building online learning products that work and the power of the written word in the fast-paced online world. We'll discuss the formation of new audiences, how to take inspiration from other industries and how to create a truly loyal audience and community with those you'll never meet in person.
Facilitator
Project Director, Digital Experiences
New York City
United States
Session speakers
Katie will discuss how the Natural History Museum in London is putting storytelling at the heart of their digital offer. Over the last two years, the NHM has moved from being a “Museum with a website” to becoming a publisher of an online natural history magazine. Now, it reaches an audience of millions from all over the world. Katie's team took inspiration from successful online publishers and news organisations to create a new global online audience for nature, science and the work of Museum scientists, equal in size to the number of physical visitors to the Museum.
Danny will discuss how the Wellcome Collection's Stories evolved from the 'digital dustbin' of a gallery project, and how we have learned to use feature journalism as a way to connect to audiences, visiting and non-visiting, around the world. He will talk about how storytelling has become a core digital activity for the museum and library, and how we use our platform to present the voices of everyone who has a story to tell about health, from historians to activists, Danny is the Digital Content Manager at Wellcome Collection: over the past decade he has worked across a range of digital media, including commissioning games, digital art, interactive and narrative projects.
Tom will share the journey of the Exploratorium's website from its early days to current insights from audience research. Over the years, the site has variously focused on: microsites with stories about places and phenomena of science for a broad online audience; creating stories about the physical visit to the museum; developing stories to serve the needs of millions of teachers and students who rely on the website for information, activities, and professional development.
