Component for Module 102

Informal Interpretation

Content Outline | Resources | Suggested Developmental Activities

Purpose

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.

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Content Outline:

I. Defining informal interpretation

A. What is it?

B. Where does it occur?

A. Process

1. Quality service level (refer to Quality Service Component in this module)

-audience
-setting
-assess audience needs

2. Information level (refer to Information Services and Sources Component in this module)

-meet audience needs

-evaluate information sources

3. Decision path

-allow audience to progress along the "information continuum" to higher levels of interest and understanding

-recognize the interpretive opportunity

4. Interpretive level

-use interpretive equation

-tie the tangible to the intangible
-climb the ladder of audience interest

B. Methods/techniques

-initiating contacts

-questioning technique

-tangible to intangible

-building on audience interest

-conversational skills

-recognizing and seizing the interpretive moment

-sharing viewpoints

-breaking off contact

-other

C. Tools

-puppets

-exhibits

-objects

-props

-publications

-maps

-photographs

-natural or cultural features

-other

D. Potential pitfalls

-inflicting interpretation

-not listening

-unequal attention

-multiple contacts

-disruptions

-not properly assessing audience needs or interest levels

-other

III. Informal interpretation outcomes

1. Audience enjoyment and safety

2. Appreciation of/connection to the resource

3. Provocation

4. Revelation

B. Resource protection

1. Partnership

2. Stewardship

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Resources

Environmental Interpretation, Sam H. Ham, North American Press, 1992, (pp 169-178 "Roving Interpretation").

Interpretation for the 21^st 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).

Resource Meanings for Informal Interpretation -- Module 102 Worksheet, NPS Interpretive Development Program, 2000.

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Suggested Developmental Activities

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.

5. Peer-review a live or recorded interaction.

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Editor: STMA Training Manager Interpretation