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Experiencing the World of Franklin: The Making of an Immersive and Interactive Historical Exhibit

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Date Issued:
2012
Abstract/Description:
This thesis involves the creation of a historically-themed museum element. The element, titled (")Improving Community,(") is a virtual interactive game that allows players to explore certain realities of colonial American life. Within the game, players are presented with a number of civic-related issues that existed throughout the eighteenth century, and they are then given options to improve the situation. Interactivity and immersion are key features of the game, and they have been incorporated so that players may engage with the past and assume a more active role in the process of historical reconstruction. Research for the games draws mostly upon historical primary sources, including first-hand accounts, letters, diaries, periodicals, pamphlets, meeting minutes, and legal documents. In addition, the process of developing the games was informed by a number of secondary source works, and therefore this study inspects the ways in which (")Improving Community(") fits within the ongoing scholarly debates. Ultimately this project contributes to the field of public history by demonstrating the usefulness of games as a tool for historical exhibition. (")Improving Community(") is both entertaining and educational, and as a result, the game provides individuals with a unique outlet for exploring and experiencing the past.
Title: Experiencing the World of Franklin: The Making of an Immersive and Interactive Historical Exhibit.
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Name(s): Webster, Daniel, Author
Beiler, Rosalind, Committee Chair
Larson, Peter, Committee Member
Lester, Connie, Committee Member
, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2012
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This thesis involves the creation of a historically-themed museum element. The element, titled (")Improving Community,(") is a virtual interactive game that allows players to explore certain realities of colonial American life. Within the game, players are presented with a number of civic-related issues that existed throughout the eighteenth century, and they are then given options to improve the situation. Interactivity and immersion are key features of the game, and they have been incorporated so that players may engage with the past and assume a more active role in the process of historical reconstruction. Research for the games draws mostly upon historical primary sources, including first-hand accounts, letters, diaries, periodicals, pamphlets, meeting minutes, and legal documents. In addition, the process of developing the games was informed by a number of secondary source works, and therefore this study inspects the ways in which (")Improving Community(") fits within the ongoing scholarly debates. Ultimately this project contributes to the field of public history by demonstrating the usefulness of games as a tool for historical exhibition. (")Improving Community(") is both entertaining and educational, and as a result, the game provides individuals with a unique outlet for exploring and experiencing the past.
Identifier: CFE0004196 (IID), ucf:49005 (fedora)
Note(s): 2012-05-01
M.A.
Arts and Humanities, History
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): public history -- historical exhibition -- immersion -- virtual interaction -- Benjamin Franklin -- early American history -- historial museums -- historical experience -- immersive and interactive experience -- gaming
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004196
Restrictions on Access: public 2012-05-15
Host Institution: UCF

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