Interpretation aims to reveal meanings and relationships through experiences rather than just communicating facts. It provides explanations for conserving natural, cultural or historic places by provoking insights. Effective interpretation is meaningful, curious, and engaging by relating to participants' experiences. It uses various art forms like science, history or demonstrations to stimulate thought while appealing to all senses and learning styles. The message must relate to the audience and setting, using techniques to potentially provoke change, and can take many forms like guided tours, presentations, interactive activities, or non-personal methods like signs.

1. Tour Guiding Interpretation

2. Interpretation – what is it? “ An educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information.” Freeman Tilden – Interpreting Our Heritage

3. Interpretation – what is it? interpretation is… an explanation of the natural, cultural or historic values attached to places. It enables visitors to gain insights and understanding about the reasons for conservation and ongoing protection of heritage According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation

4. Principles of Interpretation Interpretation should be meaningful for the audience , it should provoke curiosity, attention and interest and educate To do this the interpretation must relate in some way to the participants personality and/or experience

5. The Audience Interpretive audiences are special – why? They are participating of their own free will In their own time They want to see something in a new way They are seeking inspiration and recreation

6. Principles of Interpretation Information is only a part of the interpretation. It should enlighten the audience and involve all the senses and styles of learning For example Information (facts) The Southern Alps have formed along a tectonic plate boundary and are eroded by weather. The erosion rate and the uplift rate are very similar…

7. Principles of Interpetation Interpretation (revelation ) Colliding plates on the earth’s surface created the Southern Alps. Just as when you push two pieces of paper together they buckle, fold and rise, so does the earth. Weather is working to slow the rise of the mountains, by tearing away at them with wind, rain and snow. As much as the Southern Alps get pushed up each year, the weather wears them back down again so they stay a fairly constant height.

8. Principles of Interpretation Interpretation contains many forms of art. The materials may be scientific, historical or architectural (all of which can be taught) However interpretation should stimulate, provoke and inspire How?

9. How? By Being relevant and interactive Satisfying visitor curiosity Creating meaning Providing entertainment Provoking thought

10. Principles of Interpretation Interpretation should aim to present and appeal to the whole It should encompass everything about the receiver not just a phase or part

11. Essentials of Interpretation The Message(s) These relate to the theme or general topic Natural care for the environment Cultural preservation of the language The Message Must relate to the specific audience and their characteristics

12. Essentials of Interpretation The Message Must be appropriate to the setting and context in which the interpretation is taking place Setting site or place where interpretation is being held Context reason or background to interpretation

13. Essentials of Interpretation Techniques The methods used to communicate the ideas and feelings They should encompass all learning styles They should help the message to provoke change if necessary

14. Different types of interpretation Guided tour Guide takes group on a tour and offers interpretation Point duty Interpretation at a specific point. Effective way of managing large group of visitors in a limited time frame Roving Interpretation Moving about to where events are happening and visitors are found

15. Different types of interpretation Presentations Talk, static or moving Visual presentation or audio recording Demonstrations Showing how something is done, usually involves the audience Living history Living portrayal or characters or events includes dress, dialect, objects or artefacts and acting

16. Different types of interpretation Interactive Engaging an audience with the interpreter or some device or resource Lecture or talk Oral presentation usually with visual aids Drama Using theatre to provide the interpretation – role plays, theatre sports, puppets

17. Different types of Interpretation Non personal Print Brochures, books, posters Self guiding Programmes, signs, interpretive panels, use of audio tapes Exhibits Displays, collections, museums and galleries

18. Different types of Interpretation Non Personal Visitor Centres Combination of media, displays, guides etc Museum Paintings, sculptures, buildings – through the use of objects

19. Different types of interpretation Audio Visual Devices Media repeater A recording at a specific site providing information Portable media player MP3, CD player, audio tour Closed Circuit TV Audio visual presentation

20. Different types of interpretation Audio Visual Devices Computer Audience can interact with software Laser Disc Visual media with audio input (DVD) Video Film support or demonstration Slideshow Power point or photographic slides

21. Different types of interpretation Interactive Media Observation Hides Camouflaged places used to observe activities Information Poles Visual and audio material activated by those wanting to see and listen

22. Interpretation - Personal Nature Walk Strengths Person to person communication Can ask questions and get answer Can be easily adapted, updated and changed

23. Interpretation - Personal Nature walk Weakness Tour must move at the pace of the speaker Difficult for hearing impaired Language barrier

24. Interpretation – Non Personal Audio Tour Strengths Expert commentary Detailed descriptions Self-paced

25. Interpretation – Non Personal Audio Tour Weaknesses Cannot ask questions Requires some technical expertise to set up Difficult for hearing impaired Isolating

26. Interpretation – Non Personal Signs Strengths Can be translated into all languages Can be indoors or outside Can be utalised at own pace

27. Interpretation Signs Weaknesses Can be damaged Can be expensive Questions cannot be answered