Edtec 671

Project Two:
Informal Learning
Using Technology

claudia@websterdesign.net
4.20.11 : EdTec671 : Wednesday Nights

HOME : : Museum Visit : : Proposal : : Outcomes Model : : Design : : Objects : : Technology : : Treatment : : Assignments

Aztec Logo The Topic : Aztec Brewing Company

Informal Learning : Technology Use

If you have ever visited a craft brewery during tasting hours, you know about the buzz of the crowd, the long line of people wrapped around the bar waiting to be served up a beer. There is no real time to ask or have questions answered about the beer. Although usually one member of the brewery is walking around answering questions and offering tours of the equipment. Several simple pieces of technology could give a quick bite of information to the customers in need or desire to learn a bit more about our product.

So how do you find out about the beers if you aren't sure what to try?

First, read the rolling screens. One will be displayed up on the wall at each end of the bar, with a short description of each beer on tap for the night. Ingredients, style, alcohol content, plus the explanation of the flavor.

Want information about a specific beer quickly? Use the touch screen tablets, mounted at each end of the bar countertop. A front screen with all the beers on tap listed, a quick tap, and you are launched into a small amount of information specific to the beer you chose. Topics would be larger and highlighted for easy access, descriptive text would be smaller.

Still unsure? If you are new at craft brew sampling, a few pointers could help you choose a beer that most closely matches your flavor palate. Download the app that defines your flavor preference. QR's will be placed around the room - point your smart phone at them and be directed to download the free app*. Go through a series of questions, choosing your preferences. Once you make it through, the beer you should begin with, or most likely matched your flavor palate will be displayed on the final screen. Like bitter flavors, a tinge of grapefruit and spicy food? The Chili IPA might be the brew for you.

Of course, digital sampling is not always the answer. You can ask the server for advice or suggestions. Sometimes you just need to actually taste the product and let your mouth decide for you. Make a sensory decision. A tray of 2 ounces tasters, called a flight, is available. You work your way starting from the lightest beer then going down to the darkest flavor. Find one you like? Have a pint or take home a growler. Cheers!

The Pros and Cons of Technologies for Delivering Interpretive Materials

Having a screen displaying a short description of the individual beers constantly available makes it easier for customers to get information. It frees up the servers from constantly fielding the same questions over and over. When it gets busy in the brewery, they don't always have time to answer carefully. The text could help the visitor narrow down what their questions are about, and the server can point them in the right direction, or towards the right beer. Of course the viewer will have to wait while the screen rolls to the right beer, as having direct interaction would require a kiosk down on the floor. Space in the brewery is limited, so it should be used for only the most important items. Deciding on the scrolling speed would be difficult too. Too slow or too fast. All adds to frustration levels.

The downloadable app/webstite link would allow the user to have more control. They determine which information they need to look at. The beer descriptions could be on this too, but it would be more specifically designed to help determine their first beer choice. If they don't want to download an app or don't have a phone capable of doing this, they can still approach a server or staff to ask for more specific flavor advice. The servers and staff will all be trained in fielding customer questions in general areas and about the individual beers very specifically.

Appropriate Technology for the Brewery

The continually rolling screens are a good choice. They would be easy to update as the beers on tap change and easy to add to with the seasonals. We can ask customers what they find useful about the technology and revise content as needed per their suggestions. Between the screens will be the standard white board with the most basic information marked up daily as to what is on tap as a brew. It is meant to be a beer menu of sorts. The tap of the day list. Low technology combined with high technology often has the best end results. As the counter gets busy. the screens also give customers something to do while they wait in line. Read and learn a bit more about our beer.

Touch screen would be a good addition to the big rolling screens. The buttons featuring the current beers available could be on the main screen, a simple tap would lead you to more information about a specific flavor.

Using QR's pointed to the free app/website will be a reminder to customers that they visited our brewery. Giving them a starting point to figure out their taste preferences will help ensure a better first experience with our beer. Like the beer? You are more likely to come back to taste it again. We want to build a loyal local client base and expand from there to a national market.

*the QR might initially point to an informative website instead, until the correct technology could be developed.