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‘An educational activity which aims to bring meaning and relationships through use of original objects, by firsthand experience and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information.’ Tilden (3rd Edition, 1977)
Freeman Tilden’s book "Interpreting Our Heritage" first published in 1957 has become the authorative text for interpretation. In this book Tilden states the six principles of interpretation, which when applied provide the basis for success. The back cover states: ‘By means of guided tours, exhibits, and signs,visitors receive a very special kind of education through their interpretation of informative materials.’
What this implies is that interpretation is simply not signs or a brochure or limited to one group within our organisations such as the educators. In fact interpretation is everything we all say, everything we all do, everything we all create for our visitors onsite, offsite and online. Interpretation involves everyone in our organisation.
Interpretation is the process of stimulating and encouraging an appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage and of communicating nature conservation ideals and practices. Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1993.
Interpretation is a means of communicating ideas and feelings which stimulate and help people to understand more about themselves and their environment. Interpretation Australia Association, 1995
The first step is to develop an interpretive plan. This can start by asking the following questions: What do I want this plan to accomplish? How will I use the interpretive plan when it is completed? Answering these questions will dictate in part, the look, outline, and direct content of the plan. (Verveka,1994).
Interpretive Plan General Outline
- Why? What is the mission, objective of the organisation? What is the role of interpretation?
- What? What is the main interpretive theme and supporting sub-themes that best describes the essence or main story.
- Who? Identify your visitors, determine their demographic characteristics. Identify your target audience.
- How? Recommend appropriate interpretive media, techniques to deliver the main theme and sub-themes to the identified target audience.
- Implementation and operation - How much will it cost - budget. What are the resources available such as staff to deliver talks, etc. What training is required? What ongoing maintenance is required? Any other resource implications?
- Evaluation? Develop evaluation strategies that can be used to identify the effectiveness of the interpretive planning process. This can be done to occur at different stages of the planning and development process: front-end, formative or summative evaluation.
- Celebrate your successes.
In undertaking this process consider the following about what visitors remember:
- 10% of what they hear
- 30% of what they read
- 50% of what they see
- 90% of what they do
Animal information signs, keeper talks, visitor programs such as holiday programs, adult lectures, multi-media interactives, holiday programs, guided tours, self guided tours, behind the scenes tours.
Presentations, such as talks, multi-media presentations.
Website development and content should reflect the interpretive themes of the organisation in presenting information about new exhibit developments, animal information, other visitor information including webcams, live crosses to speak to keepers.
Websites
http://www.interpretationaustralia.asn.au
http://www.interpretivesigns.qut.edu.au
http://www.heritage-interpretation.org.uk/default.htm
http://www.interpnet.com/home.htm
http://www.pa.ash.org.au/afssse/members/aaee/43.htm
Interpreting Our Heritage, Freeman Tilden, 3rd Edition, 1977, University of Carolina Press
Environmental Interpretation - A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budget, Sam Ham, 1992, North American Pres
Heritage Management in New Zealand and Australia - Visitor Management, Interpretation and Marketing, Michael Hall, Simon McArthur(Editors), 1993, Oxford University Press.
Signs, Trails and Wayside Exhibits - Connecting People and Places, Suzanne Trapp, Michael Gross, Ron Zimmerman, Interpreters Handbook Series, 3rd Edition, 1994, UW-SP Foundation Press, Inc.
Creating Environmental Publications - A Guide to Writing and Designing for Interpreters and Environmental Educators. Jeffery Zehr, Michael Gross, Ron Zimmerman Interpreters Handbook Series, 3rd Edition, 1994, UW-SP Foundation Press, Inc.
The Interpreter’s Guidebook - Techniques for Programs and Presentations, Kathleen Regnier, Michael Gross, Ron Zimmerman Interpreters Handbook Series, 3rd Edition, 1994, UW-SP Foundation Press, Inc.
- Interpretation Australia - The newsletter of the Interpretation Australia Association
- Legacy - The magazine of the National Association for Interpretation(USA)
- Journal of the International Association of Zoo Educators (IZE)
- Australian Journal of Environmental Education - publication produced by the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
 Online Education Experiences
Onsite Education Experiences
Offsite Education Experiences
ARAZPA Education Policy
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