Effect sizes and research directions of technology application in museum learning: Evidence obtained by integrating meta‐analysis with co‐citation network analysis.

Background: Many researchers have explored the impact of various technologies in museums on learning effects. Whether the application of technology in informal museum learning is effective, is the current issue that scholars pay more attention to. Objectives: This study will find the evidence to determine the effects of technology use on museum learning outcomes, and identify the future research trends in the field of technology application in museum learning. Methods: This study used a meta‐analysis method to statistically analyse the experimental and quasi‐experimental research in this field, and explored the effect sizes of technology application on the learning effect of museums. And the co‐citation network analysis method was used to analyse the distribution of academic groups and research institutions in this field and the changes in research hotspots. Results and Conclusions: The results show that technologies significantly enhance noncognitive learning. Significant differences exist in the effects of the moderating variables on the influence of technology on the learning outcomes of museum learning. The scholars engaged in this research field come from various countries or regions and institutions. The research hotspots of and extended research on technically supported museum learning have changed continually in the past decade. Major Takeaways: This study answers the question of "whether, how, and to what extent does the application of technology affect the learning effect of museums". According to the research conclusions, certain suggestions are proposed in this paper from the perspectives of researchers and museum institutions for the effective application of museum technology. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The formal learning in the classroom has been unable to meet the learners' thirst for knowledge, and the museums have become the main educational battlegrounds for inheriting history and culture and popularizing scientific knowledge.Some studies have proved that the use of some technologies in the museum can affect the learning effect of learners.The application of technology is an important part of the physical situation among the three major situations of museum influencing factors. What this paper adds: This paper integrated meta‐analysis with co‐citation network analysis method is used to analyse and evaluate the 34 experimental or quasi‐experimental studies and 572 citations.The contextual model of learning was used as a theoretical framework to construct the meta‐analysis framework.The moderating effects of technology category, museum category, learner category and visiting mode on museum learning effect were significantly different. Implications for practice and/or policy: Researchers in museum learning must strengthen academic exchange and cooperation and explore a new path for museum technology integration.The administrative organizations of museum institutions must accelerate the construction of museum resources and implement the "new normal" of the integration of exhibition and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]