Module
220: Prepare
and Present an Interpretive Demonstration or Other Illustrated
Program
Competency
description:
Requires the interpeter to be able to plan, prepare
and effectively present a specialized program that uses
illustrations/objects/media and/or demonstration to
provide opportunities for the audience to make their
own intellectual and emotional connections to the meanings/significance
of the resource; and integrates the media, activity
or demonstration with the interpretive narration in
a way that cohesively develops a relevant idea or ideas.
What
you will submit: A
videotape recording or DVD**(see important warning below) of a complete illustrated
program or interpretive demonstration, developed and
presented by the interpreter before an on- or off-site
audience.
Before
preparing your submission, it is to your advantage to
review the Module 220 curriculum and certification standard.
Key
submission points:
When selecting the illustrations, objects or other
media to use for an illustrated program, it might
be helpful to identify the intangible meanings and
universal concepts that each potential illustration/object
may represent or portray, and then select those images/objects
that best complement/enhance the meanings and concepts
in the narrative. It may be difficult to locate illustrations/objects
that accomplish this -- time spent researching, acquiring
and carefully integrating meaningful images/objects
is important to this competency.
There are MANY ways in which a program becomes "illustrated,"
with many "things" (either two-dimensional
or three- dimensional).
Demonstrations need to go beyond providing a technical
and factual description of what is being demonstrated.
Consider the intangible meanings that are associated
with the demonstration. Provide context and connection
to larger meanings by skillfully using your introduction
and conclusion and a meaningful thematic development.
The
obligation for accuracy, topic choice and appropriateness,
delivery mechanics, etc., remain the responsibility
of you and your supervisor, and are not measured in
this review.
A
self-assessment worksheet
is available for this module -- it is recommended
that you review this worksheet before you submit.
Preparing
your submission:
1)
For this competency, you will submit a either an illustrated
program or a demonstration recorded on or copied to
VHS videotapes or DVDs, preferably between fifteen
and sixty minutes in length. It is not necessary
to include warm-up orientation or question/answer
portions of a program unless their content is somehow
pertinent to the interpretive focus of your program.
Please indicate the exact length of your program on
the tape labels.
2)
The program should be performed in a park setting
with a "real" visitor audience. Off-site programs
that interpret park resources are also appropriate.
Please submit a program that was intentionally designed/prepared
as an illustrated program or demonstration. (A portion
of some other presentation, such as an education program,
will likely not certify unless it clearly functions
as an illustrated program or demonstration.)
3)
Since each competency has unique characteristics that
are important to demonstrate, it is not
to your advantage to submit the same program for more
than one competency. Therefore, please do not submit
the same program for more than one competency without
prior approval by the Certification Program Manager
or Training Manager.
4)
Submit three copies* of your program on VHS
tapes or DVDs. Record and duplicate your tapes or
discs at normal speed. All copies of the tapes
or discs you submit must have clear, discernable audio
and clear views of the illustrations
or demonstrations. If this is not the case,
the certifiers will not be able to assess the integration
of illustrations/demonstration with the narration,
and the submission will be returned without a determination.
**Important guidelines for DVD submissions: We have experienced many problems with submissions on DVD -- the only media playback software that is standard on all government computers is Windows Media Player. Therefore, all DVD submissions must be able to play in Windows Media Player in order to ensure that the certifiers can view the DVD. Please convert your program to play in Windows Media Player as the default. Please check all three copies of your DVD submission to make sure the audio and video play all the way through in Windows Media Player. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in your submission being returned to you without being reviewed.
5)
Do not interrupt the flow of your program to make
close-ups of your objects/illustrations. You may send
along copies or facsimiles of objects and illustrations
used if they are not clear on the videotape.
6)
For a demonstration, the video camera should focus
primarily on the interpreter, although it is helpful
if it can also show the degree of any visitor participation.
For a slide show, the camera should focus on the slide
images, but the voice of the interpreter should be
clear.
7 ) If at all possible, use a lapel microphone
and mount the camera on a tripod when making your
tape. For additional tips on preparing a video, see
the attached "TIPS,"
prepared by Tom Davies, NERO.
8)
Be aware that some states prohibit the videotaping
of minors. If this is the case where you work, do
not include video of the group, simply submit a one
paragraph description of the audience, and note the
legal restriction on the tape.
9)
Complete and submit one copy of the attached "Product
Submission Registration Form" with your submission.
(Download in a Word format
(43KB) or a PDF format
(36KB).
When
reviewing the video, certifiers will assume good faith
effort, and that accuracy and authenticity of the
program have been verified at the park level.
*It expedites the process if you can submit three
copies of your tape. If not possible, be sure to
keep one copy for yourself and submit at least one tape
for review. If you are submitting on DVDs, you
must submit three copies of the discs.
Where
to submit:
Once
you have reviewed your project with your supervisor
and agreed that it is ready to submit, send to:
Certification
Program Manager, Interpretation
Mather Training Center
P.O. Box 77
Fillmore St. and Storer College Place
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Attn:
Product submission
You can request a "delivery confirmation"
from the post office. Leave your videos in their protective
boxes or cases, and pack them carefully. All videos
will be returned. Keep the original video yourself,
in case something happens to the package in transit.
NOTE:
Certification in this competency serves the overall
development of employees in Ranger Careers positions,
and meets the NPS national standard for interpretive
demonstrations and illustrated programs. Certification
in this competency is a point-in-time assessment only.
Long-term performance is measured at the park level.
Eligibility for promotion is determined by the supervisor
and park. Learn more about the peer
review process.
Certification
Program Manager, Interpretation