Module
103:
Preparing & Presenting an Effective Interpretive
Talk
Competency
assessment:
Requires
the interpreter to be able to plan, prepare and
effectively present a professional interpretive talk
that facilitates opportunities for the audience to make
their own intellectual and emotional connections to
the meanings/significance of the resource, through the
cohesive development of a relevant idea or ideas.
What
you will submit:
A
videotape recording or DVD**(see important warning below) of a stand-alone interpretive talk that you have planned, prepared and presented to
an on- or off-sight audience.
Note to submitters:
Submissions from seasonals, volunteers, partners, interns -- As of July 15, 2010, seasonals may again submit for this competency but only after completion of an advanced certificate in the on-line course for this competency. Submit a copy of your advanced certificate with your submission packet as described below.
Key
submission points:
Before preparing your submission, it is to your advantage to
review the Interpretive Talke curriculum and certification standard. The
IDP on-line course for this competency is a recommended pre-requisite to
submission for permanent employees -- and an advanced certificate in this course is a required prerequisite for non-permanent employees. Go to www.interptraining.org for on-line course information.
The talk you submit should have a primarily interpretive
purpose and objectives. A talk
that is primarily informational, no matter how well
delivered, and though its subject may be important
to park operations, will not meet this certification
standard. The
interpretive elements and interpretive delivery methods/techniques
of the talk are the focus of this assessment.
Interpreters
must be able to understand the structure and requirements
for preparing, and the dynamics of delivering a stand-alone
talk. The talk may utilize some props or other visual/auditory
elements, as long as the narrative of the talk is
not dependent on them to provide opportunities for
connections to resource meanings. (Programs that rely
heavily on media elements, props, activities or demonstrations
are not recommended for Module 103; however, they
may be appropriate as submissions for Module 210 or
220. Contact the Training Manager if you are unsure.)
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 complete
interpretive talk recorded on or copied to VHS videotapes
or DVDs. 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 talk. If at all possible, choose a talk to
submit that is between five and thirty minutes
in length. Please
indicate the exact length of your talk on the tape
or disc labels.
2) The talk 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 prepared
as a stand-alone talk. (A portion of some other activity
will likely not certify unless it clearly functions
as a stand-alone talk.)
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 the interpretive talk on VHS tapes
or DVDs. The tapes or discs you submit must have
clear, discernable audio, and primarily focus
on the interpreter. Record and duplicate your tapes
or discs at normal speed. If possible, the audience
should be shown in context at least once during the
program -- group size does not matter. Any view of
the resources being interpreted that helps a certifier
understand the message is welcomed, but not necessary.
**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) If at all possible, use a lapel microphone
and mount the camera on a tripod when making your
recording. For additional tips on preparing a video,
see the attached "TIPS,"
prepared by Tom Davies, NERO.
6)
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.
7)
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).
8) Seasonals, volunteers, and other non-permanent employees-- must also include a copy of your advanced certificate from the online course for this competency.
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
talks. 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