How Digital Labels in Zoos can Educate Kid Visitors

Learning methods have changed during the last decade to accommodate and adapt to the way the new generations process and absorb information. 

In a 2020 study conducted by Salve Regina University of Newport, Rhode Island, results showed that Generation Z and Generation Alpha (and even the Millenials) preferred digital methods of learning, particularly through watching YouTube tutorial videos.

Moreover, the younger generations are considered “digital natives”, which means that they prefer receiving information fast—where everything they need to know is readily available at the tap of a button or at the click of a link.

With these findings, traditional signages in zoos and wildlife parks may not be as attractive to the new generations the way they used to be appealing to the previous generations. Fortunately, zoos can upgrade the way they educate kid visitors by using SOLUM’s Newton digital label that can come in sizes as wide as 11.6”.

Here are the different ways the 11.6-inch Newton digital labels can help educate the new generation of zoo visitors.

Texts are still important for the generation that prefers motion graphics and videos. With the Newton digital label’s e-paper and an e-ink display, information in text form is easier to read and will not fade as quickly as the ones on traditional signages. 

Moreover, Newton labels come with a system where you can layout the text placement and customized the pages, so the informative texts can have accompanying images and are not displayed in unappealing blocks of words.

Although traditional animal pen signages can display pictures, Newton digital labels can do more. Each label is built with a 7-page display feature that zoo visitors can flip through by clicking the label’s programmable buttons. 

With this automated multi-page display solution, zoos have more spaces to place images and other visual aids like animal anatomies, and short infographics about the animals in the pen.

Since Generations Z and Alpha are known for their attachment to their mobile devices and smartphones, another good way to keep their interest in learning while at the zoo is by displaying QR codes on the digital labels. 

They can individually scan these QR codes with their phones and tablets, which will then lead them to a link to an educational article or video regarding the animal in the pen. QR Codes linking to videos is very ideal, especially for child visitors that cannot read yet, such as pre-schoolers on a zoo field trip or family trip.

If you’d like to discuss how SOLUM can integrate Newton digital labels into your zoo or wildlife park system, contact us today.