Beyond the Cage: A PACT Analysis of Digital Zoo Experiences

---

Doğan D., Atal D.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION, vol.1, no.1, pp.1-18, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

• Publication Type: Article / Article
• Volume: 1 Issue: 1
• Publication Date: 2025
• Doi Number: 10.1080/10447318.2025.2581256
• Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
• Journal Indexes: Applied Science & Technology Source, Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Academic Search Premier, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC, Library and Information Science Abstracts, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Psycinfo
• Page Numbers: pp.1-18
• Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
• Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study analyzes a holographic digital zoo experience through the PACT model(People, Activities, Context, Technologies). A descriptive research design was used,and qualitative data were collected. Nineteen young adults familiar with technology,visited a digital zoo and evaluated their experiences. The results reveal that althoughdigital representations of nature hold potential for raising environmental awarenessand supporting education as an alternative to traditional zoos, technological innov-ation alone is not sufficient. The digital zoo displayed major shortcomings in visualresolution, multisensory integration, interaction, and spatial design. Furthermore, mis-matches with user expectations, lack of age-appropriate content delivery, and physicalaccessibility issues negatively affected the overall experience. These factors weakenedlearning outcomes, emotional connection, and user engagement. In conclusion, a suc-cessful digital nature experience requires technological infrastructure to be combinedwith a human-centered and holistic design that responds to user needs and environ-mental contexts