"Interpretation training in a box! It's all here: the principles, the ideas, the strategies - and a wealth of practical and proven training materials to reproduce and use." Until now there has been no manual available which addresses the key issues involved in teaching interpretation to others.
The Interpretive Training Handbook: Strategies, Tips, Handouts and Practical Learning Experiences for Teaching Interpretation to Others at last fills this gap. It distils the experience of one of the world's leading interpretive trainers, John Veverka, and is based on his training techniques and exercises developed over three decades, and currently used in his university level interpretation training courses.
Designed for use with a wide range of specialist staff - including interpretors, educators, designers, curators, gallery "explainers", guides and volunteers - in museums, galleries, science centres, historic houses and sites, parks, zoos and commercial tours, the book includes sample pre-and post-test "exams" that let you check if your training is actually working.
Importantly, the techniques presented in the book are proven to work in illustrating interpretive concepts and principles. They are supplemented by a wealth of forms, checklists, exercises, worksheets, lesson plans and teaching aids designed to be freely copied and used.
Author John Veverka comments: "The goal of this handbook is to act as an aid for both new interpretive trainers and long-time experienced trainers, providing new ideas, strategies, teaching aids and handouts that may contribute to professional and successful training events. All the materials in the handbook are based on materials and strategies I have used, and continue to use, in university level courses in interpretation, and training courses for agencies, organizations, and facilities worldwide. These are materials that work, and that have been used in hundreds of interpretive training exercises and programs."
PRAISE FOR THE INTERPRETIVE TRAINING HANDBOOK
"John Veverka in just two days presented a comprehensive program on interpretation to the staff of the Lakeshore Museum Center. Far beyond educating them on the basic principles of interpretation, it invigorated and charged them up to get out and work with the public again.” John McGarry, Executive Director, Lakeshore Museum Center, Michigan, USA.
"Having John Veverka over to Europe was a great experience. Participants, filling out our evaluation forms after the training programme, were thrilled: "Useful? Absolutely!" "John Veverka's presentations are pure pleasure." "Best part of the seminar? All parts were the best!". John Veverka's workshops were a trigger - he has provided change and inspiration. Breda Ogorelec, Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Slovenia.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John A Veverka is one of the world's leading consultants in interpretive planning, training and heritage tourism, with experience spanning over 30 years and taking him all over the world. He has worked on projects in Canada, Greece, Malta, Korea, Mexico, Spain, UK and throughout the USA. He lectures widely on Heritage Interpretation and Interpretation Planning, and serves as a consultant to many leading agencies and organisations worldwide. Clients have included: Eden Project, National Forest Service (Korea), National Museum Wales, National Park Service, Natural England, Norfolk Tourism, Nova Scotia Museums, Santa Fe de Antioquia (Columbia), Texas Historical Commission and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
PUBLICATION CONTENTS
What Interpretive Trainers Need To Know
Subject matter proficiency
Where to receive updated training yourself
Attending conferences and workshops
Professional memberships
Professional journals and books
Online training opportunities
Developing Your Training Plan
Who is your audience?
What are your objectives for the course?
What knowledge and skills do you want particpants to become proficient in?
How many participants will you have?
Review participants’ current knowledge
Determine the length of the training event
Developing a training manual
Developing training aides
Developing hands-on learning sessions
Developing a lesson plan
Developing pre- and post-test evaluation
Developing a schedule of instruction
Planning for the training environment
Starting the Training Course: How Participants Learn in a Recreational Learning Environment
Interpretive learning concepts with activities
Remember visitors: what do they remember?
Some ideas about visitor psychology
Teaching about visitors’ motivational needs
Let the Training Begin: The Body of the Interpretive Workshop
Teaching the definition, theories and objectives of interpretation
An overview of the Interpretation Model
Tilden’s Interpretive Principles
Teaching theme development
Introducing tangibles and intangibles
Developing your program objectives
Optional program presentation
Evaluation and feedback from participants
The Practical Application of Interpretive Principles: Panel Design Practicum
Introduction and instruction
Developing the activity framework
Teaching aides and materials required
Small group activity dynamics
Time frame for activity completion
Display of panel designs and explanations
Samples of draft designs
The Practical Application of Interpretive Principles: Exhibit Planning Practicum
Teaching exhibit load matrix concepts
Planning for exhibit flow
What makes an exhibit interpretive?
Examples of good interpretive exhibits
Interpretive exhibit design practicum
Practicum materials
Interpretive exhibit planning worksheet
Evaluating Your Interpretive Training Workshop
Developing your course pre- and post-test exam
Interpretive Training Resources
Appendixes
Sample Lesson Plans
Let’s Test Your Brain
Interpretive TIPS Planning Form
Program Planning Practicum Worksheet
Interpretive Program Planning Worksheet
Tour and Walk Planning and Delivery Checklist
Tour and Walk Program Observation Critique Form
Interpretive Exhibit Training Handout
Interpretive Exhibit Design Critique Form
Want copies of the book to share with, inform and inspire your team? Choose our 6-Pack or 20-Pack editions, for great discounts and free shipping!
PUBLICATION DETAILS
Title: The Interpretive Training Handbook
Author: John A Veverka
ISBN: 978-1-907697-36-4 [hardback]
Pages: 200
Price: £24.95
Publisher: MuseumsEtc
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