There are exhibit commentary media (docent, mobile device) for assisting family visitors in the museum,
and the communication within family members could be affected by which media they use. When using a
docent, family visitors lowered their voice or restrained talks for paying attention to a docent’ explanation.
When using a mobile device, family visitors mainly relied on a mobile device, so they did not pay
attention to the objects. The results of the survey showed that parents reported no difference between the docent and the mobile device on some measurement items and preferred the docent to the mobile device
on other measurement items. On the other hand, children showed strong preference toward the mobile deice
over the docent because of their enjoyment for operating the mobile device. Regardless of which media
they used, the communication among family members could be enhanced by being together. Therefore, the
museum should design and operate a docent program for family visitors to enhance the communication
among family members. In addition, the museum should consider how family visitors using a mobile device
would pay attention to objects and enhance the communication.