Taking Cues from the Culture: The Case of Network Earth

Saul Carliner

doi:10.1177/105065190001400302

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2000

Taking Cues from the Culture: The Case of Network Earth

Saul Carliner Bentley University

Abstract

This article explores the design choices for Network Earth, a museum exhibit that introduced the general public to computer networks and related issues. The exhibit was one of three studied in a larger research project to develop a grounded model of design for learn-ing in museums. Network Earth was developed by a team that had neither formal train-ing nor academic credentials usually associated with museum exhibits. Although the design process and some of the general goals were similar to those at other sites studied and in the literature, certain practices differed. The team excluded historical objects, let donors influence content, and used different terminology. These differences appear to be cultural. With a limited affiliation with the occupational culture of museum exhibit design, the Network Earth team made choices that were more consistent with the culture of high technology—the subject of the museum and the industry that provided most of its financial support.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 2000-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/105065190001400302
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Open Access: Closed
Topics: digital rhetoric
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Taking Cues from the Culture: The Case of Network Earth

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

References (29)

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