Curriculum
Components
The
following curriculum components outline the developmental
learning elements for this module. From these outlines,
1) employees and their supervisors can determine learning
needs and strategies, 2) instructors can develop sessions
and lesson plans. Each component also contains a list
of useful references and developmental activities.
Objectives
At the end of this module, learners will be able to:
Explain
how and why visitor perspectives vary and have changed
through time, and why interpretation must respond
to these changing dynamics;
Use
basic understanding of audience perspective to create
inclusive interpretive efforts to reach a wider
range of audiences;
Recognize
the importance of quality visitor experiences, in
any appropriate use, in establishing stewardship
principles.
Topics
Value of constituency building in the NPS (such as:
Mather/Albright efforts); value of multiple perspectives
(and multiple truths and meanings) in furthering the
protection and enjoyment of NPS resources; other topics,
such as:
Understanding diverse values, beliefs, and cultures;
Reading your audience;
Diverse mental and physical abilities of visitors;
Understanding park communities (local, NPS, visitor,
national, international);
Demographic trends (age groups, accessibility issues,
ethnic groups);
Sources of information about audiences;
Basic social science theory;
Characteristics of a quality visitor experience.
Audience
All Entry Level Park Rangers. Also directed to other
NPS staff with public interpretation responsibilities
in National Park areas. Included are cooperating association
employees and managers, volunteers performing interpretation
and information services, and park concession and other
partner employees performing interpretation and information
services.
Delivery
Self-study; video materials; servicewide class for all
new employees; cluster level course; directed readings.
