Trial And Evaluation Of A Biodiversity Information System For Public Use In A Natural History Museum

Informations

Funding country

Europe

Acronym

TREBIS

URL

http://www.trebis.org

Start date

10/1/2001

End date

3/31/2003

Budget

399,262 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

In this project the Vorarlberger Naturschau, a natural history museum in Dornbirn (Austria), presents digital information about the distribution of animals and plants in Vorarlberg in a multimedia context. Via special software tools the user queries information about biodiversity, endangered species and ecological facts. A major goal is to combine processed database information with digital maps. The unique aspect of the project is the integration of well-established technologies (database management system, geographic information system and a leading edge multimedia front end) to create an attractive environment for user interaction. During the trial software and content is tested by school classes (together with their teachers) and daily visitors under predefined conditions. Evaluation of this process leads to dissemination and adapting the tools.%L%LObjectives:%LA multimedia user front end including a geographical information system is tested and evaluated in the context of querying information stored in the museums client-server database system. A major technical as well as didactic goal is to combine real museum artefacts and specimens (which represent our cultural heritage and biodiversity over time) and virtual collection objects with pre-filtered database information and digital maps in a way relevant to users interests, adding up to more than just the sum of the data already collected and services provided. This combination of tools enables problem-oriented, user-friendly access to topical data base information, which is replenished periodically and kept up-to-date. The users are to expect dynamically generated multimedia information such as maps, text, tables, pictures, sound.%L%LWork description:%LThe workplan consists of three distinctive parts:%L%L1. Development (WP1):%L1.1 Development of the didactical concept;%L1.2 Development of evaluation tools;%L1.3 Development of the software prototype%L%L2. Evaluation (WP2):%L2.1 Testing the software;%L2.2 Analysis and interpretation of the results%L%L3. Exploitation and dissemination (WP3):%L3.1 Informing the public about the TREBIS trial;%L3.2 Public TREBIS Web site;%L3.3 Organisation of final expert workshop; 3.4 Preparation, production and presentation of final report%L%L4. Project Management (WP4) and subtasks of WP3 (Public information) to be carried out for the full duration of the trial%L%LMilestones:%LM1/Mo05 Didactic concept for software adaptation; elaborated tools for software evaluation.%LM2/Mo07 Prepared and processed content: text, pictures, maps, sounds, videos, graphics, tables.%LM3/Mo07 Software prototype for testing phase, including technical documentation and user guidelines.%LM4/Mo12 Quantitative and qualitative results for software evaluation.%LM5/Mo15 Interpreted evaluation results for specific software revision.%LM6/Mo17 Dissemination and exploitation report.%LM7/Mo18 Final Report to EC