This component represents the product at the end of
the decision path that leads from quality services,
through information services, and concludes by recognizing
and facilitating the interpretive opportunity.
Objectives
At the completion of this component, the learner will
be able to:
Move
along a decision path with visitors from information
to interpretation as appropriate;
Provide
effective informal interpretation while ensuring
resource protection and visitor safety;
Interact
successfully with a range of group sizes and types
in a variety of settings.
Approach
Informal interpretation interacts with audiences, provides
information, creates interpretive opportunities, protects
resources, and promotes safety.
This component reinforces the interpretive equation
presented in Module 101--Fulfilling
the NPS Mission: The Process of Interpretation.
Armed with a solid understanding of communication principles
and the resource, the interpreter learns to recognize
and take advantage of opportunities for interpretation.
This encourages the audience to move from knowledge
to a deeper connection with the resource and toward
the ultimate goal of interpretation--revelation!
Therefore, this component begins to illustrate the full
interpretive equation. Informal interpretation requires
knowledge of the resource (information), knowledge of
the audience (customer service), and appropriate interpretive
technique (recognition of the moment to tell a story,
demonstrate an activity, or move from the tangible resource
to an intangible story or message).
Learning should take place through an introduction to
theory, followed by lots of practice and feedback.
Environmental Interpretation, Sam H. Ham, North American
Press, 1992, (pp 169-178 "Roving Interpretation").
Interpretation for the 21st Century: Fifteen
Guiding Principles for Interpreting Nature and Culture,
Larry Beck and Ted Cable, Sagamore Publishing, 1998.
Interpreting for Park Visitors; William J. Lewis, Acorn
Press, 1980, (Chapter 4).
Interpreting our Heritage, Freeman Tilden, University
of North Carolina Press, 1957, (Chapter 5).
Interpretive
Skills Lesson Plans: "Roving Interpretation" by Neysa
Dickey, 1989.
The Fifth Essence, Freeman Tilden, The National Park
Trust Fund Board, no date.
The Interpreter's Guidebook, Techniques for Programs
and Presentations; Kathleen Regnier, Michael Gross and
Ron Zimmerman. University of Wisconsin, 1992, (Chapter
7 and Chapter 9).
The Interpreter's Handbook, Russell K. Grater, Southwest
Parks and Monuments Association, 1976, (Chapter 9).
1. Evaluate the effectiveness of informal interpretation
against the methods learned in Module 101--Fulfilling
the NPS Mission: The Process of Interpretation and Module
102--Demonstrating Informal Interpretation, once this
module is complete.
Observe rangers from different divisions, sites, or
parks and study their effectiveness in informal interpretation.
Accompany
an experienced interpreter (at another site if necessary)
to practice audience interactions with assistance.
Conduct
your own informal interpretation with a range of settings,
audience types and sizes followed by self evaluation.
2.
Review videotaped and role-play scenarios (if available)
and practice alternate responses with mentor or supervisor.
3. Prepare for demanding situations by rehearsing them
in your mind ("What if's").
4. Review a videotape sample of one of your own audience
interactions.