The Digital Learning Network shares ideas and good practice in using digital
technology to support learning in the Cultural Heritage sector.


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#DLNETchat and ThinkDrinks
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As well as our larger events, DLNET run a Twitter-based discussion, which is usually on the first Friday of each month.
Our next #DLNETchat is on Friday 1 March 2019, Midday to 1pm. Use the hashtag #DLNETchat
There are also occasional ThinkDrinks: informal gatherings for people interested in how digital can enhance learning within the cultural sector. Our next ThinkDrink is on Tuesday 12 March 2019 from 6pm to around 10pm.
Digital Learning in Museums conference – speaker slides
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Thanks to all who joined us in Oxford earlier this month for this conference. Speaker slides below: (more to follow shortly)
Naomi Chapman & Sarah-Jane Harknett
Evaluating Digital Projects… Or why we shouldn’t use social media to evaluate museum projects!
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Our recent ‘live’ Twitter chat, #DLNETChat on 3 March looked at the topic of evaluating digital projects, and it’s clear that there was a lot to be said on the subject.
We have done our best to compile a Storify of the conversations which took place on the subject – click here for more details. However, here we are picking out some of the particular discussion points which may be of interest.
Our ice-breaker poll launched on Twitter before the chat started, and was contentious in the options which were conspicuously absent:
For today’s (3 Mar) #DLNETChat – what is the best way to evaluate digital engagement projects?
— DLNET (@DLNET) March 3, 2017
Some very good links were shared, even before the ‘live’ chat started…
For today’s #DLNETChat this report by us @flow_global includes summaries of evaluations of digital projects in 3.2 https://t.co/QpMLJPTv8R
— bridgetmck (@bridgetmck) March 3, 2017
Once things got going, John McMahon brought plenty of good advice…
.@heritagelottery‘s ‘Digital tech. in heritage projects’ guidance includes top-level evaluation tips: https://t.co/4RWgRWuaZR #DLNETchat
— John McMahon (@JohnMcArtsEd) March 3, 2017
…But I think the main things are, as for any project – know the impact you want, and how to measure it, from the start; #DLNETchat
— John McMahon (@JohnMcArtsEd) March 3, 2017
Others contributed some good links too:
Hi all on #DLNETChat. We’ve evaluated a number of digital projects + programmes e.g. eval of @pplscollection prog: https://t.co/AaKtm4h67H
— ERS Ltd (@ERS_Limited) March 3, 2017
Re: research/evaluation as part of digital design process. Blue boxes are where research can/could/should? be intergrated #dlnetchat pic.twitter.com/LCMlqNgFIx
— Lindsey Green (@lindsey_green) March 3, 2017
There were also some very interesting side discussions, including one about Sentiment Analysis (click here for a Wikipedia article), which is essentially a way of digitally analysing qualitative data including social media posts and comments…
@DLNET are there other methods that people use e.g. Sentiment analysis?
— Marie Hobson (@mchobson) March 3, 2017
@stuartdberry @mchobson I tried sentiment analysis for social media with different tools but it is not always accurate
— Elena Villaespesa (@elenustika) March 3, 2017
Research on sentiment analysis for social media and cultural orgs #DLNETChat https://t.co/XS1c7P5MX2
— Lindsey Green (@lindsey_green) March 3, 2017
@marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry @mchobson I think @EpiphanyLboro was looking at this too as part of PHD. Was it published?
— Lindsey Green (@lindsey_green) March 3, 2017
@lindsey_green @marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry @mchobson Yes indeed: https://t.co/yeBmzoGGnN – but ‘not very accurate’ saves time. 🙂
— David Gerrard (@EpiphanyLboro) March 3, 2017
@EpiphanyLboro @lindsey_green @marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry @mchobson Sentiment analysis=not accurate. Did JISC funded project 1/2
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
And it very quickly transpired why this might particularly apply to museum audiences especially…
@EpiphanyLboro @lindsey_green @marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry @mchobson Social media =skewed museum sample. https://t.co/JhaszBNlY2
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
@mchobson @EpiphanyLboro @lindsey_green @marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry Sampling issue: we found 30% in museum tweets work in sector
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
@lindsey_green @mchobson @EpiphanyLboro @marthasadie @elenustika @stuartdberry Museum worker tweeters avoided negative out of career concern
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
@lindsey_green Conclusions about social media data for evaluation. 1) social inclusion. Project website: https://t.co/kJFiwUbcVG @DLNET pic.twitter.com/bAzpi1M9sh
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
@lindsey_green Further Conclusions: methods issues in using social media data for evaluation @DLNET pic.twitter.com/1kuy0f6ueF
— Dr Eric Jensen (@JensenWarwick) March 3, 2017
There were many other useful and interesting conversations, including links to case-studies, tools and methodologies in the chat, so please look at the Storify for the full run-down…
Don’t forget to look out for our next #DLNETChat on the first Friday of the month, and watch our Twitter account for further details!
#DLNETChat – our live monthly Twitter get together…
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Our regular followers and subscribers might already be familiar with our regular live #DLNETChat Twitter events, but for those of you who are new to us, new to Twitter, or who just wanted a quick recap, here is your definitive guide to #DLNETChat…
What is #DLNETChat?
#DLNETChat is a monthly live discussion on the subject of digital learning or digital engagement in a cultural setting. Many who take part are from a museums or heritage background, but we are keen to involve anybody from the wider arts or cultural sector.
Each month’s Chat has a specific topic, such as formal learning, using mobiles, etc. and there are a range of questions and discussion points raised to prompt further discussion and enable as many people as possible to join in.
The Chats usually take place on the first Friday of the month, at 12.00pm, and last for an hour. Keep an eye on the @DLNET Twitter account, the #DLNETChat hashtag or the Digital Learning Network email group for details of when the next chat will be, and what the subject is.
That sounds great, what else do I need to know?
Anybody can join a Chat, just make sure you use the #DLNETChat hashtag when you tweet, in order for everybody else involved to pick it up. Try and keep to the subject matter, although invariably the conversations do stray from time to time.
If you have a specific request for a Chat subject, or a particular question you would like answering, why not tweet direct to @DLNET, or send an email to the Digital Learning Network email group.
I’m new to Twitter, what do I do?
If you are new to Twitter, joining a Chat could be daunting, so follow the steps below to get involved.