The Cultural Heritage Industry’s New Standard for Educational Information Access

Rankadi Mosako

doi:10.25159/2663-659X/12119

Authors

Rankadi Mosako University of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/12119

Keywords:

museum collections, archives collections, connectedness, online education, new normal, cultural heritage

Abstract

This article provides an overview of best-practices for the cultural heritage sector to share educational information with patrons and those seeking information from the commemoration of historical events. Worldwide, cultural heritage institutions seek to promote their collections and services using various formats. However, several issues have impeded the optimal results of such best practices commemoration endeavours. These include global lockdowns and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper is based on an exploratory study utilising quantitative data on the popularity of online connectivity for information sharing and data mining from cultural heritage institutions and services. A self-administered survey was used to investigate whether such online practices may be used to fulfil knowledge and information gaps caused by global disasters that lead to national lockdowns. Subsequently, the public has been encouraged to interact through non-contact means for improving the public’s knowledge of current and future cultural heritage information. Using a systematic sampling method, dichotomous questions were sent to respondents randomly chosen from chronological museum mailing lists. Through a systematic sample of 100 museum visitors, the results analysed were generalised to encompass archive visitors. The results were analysed using corelated statistical data analysis to assess if using online connectivity to seek information was a feasible process and exceeded the expectations of information seekers’ needs. This study found that online services and internet connectedness are the best viable approaches to acquire information and knowledge from archives and museum collections. Therefore, cultural heritage institutions’ curators must refine their online services to serve a worldwide clientele that constantly seeks information about educational archives, museum collections and significant historical events.

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