Over the past year or so there has been a lot of buzz about QR codes. Those square, raggedy things have captured a lot of attention and spawned a lot of questions: Are they just a fad? Will technology out grow them? Should we invest in them now? Will adding QR codes to exhibits or … Continue reading The QR Buzz, (or, Gesundheit! You got a code?)
You know by now that my mind works in brevity. My staff often hear me repeat two things: Interpret the park, and Put your programs where the people are. Those short statements seem silly because they are simple and obvious. A typical response might be…”well DUH!” Then I wonder when I read reports that tell me … Continue reading Go to the people!
A successful exhibit should attract visitors with striking design, hold attention by employing color, action and learning styles, convey a message built around a ‘big idea’ significant to the park, and entice action. Exhibit evaluation is often conducted at two points in the design process: before and after. However, in my experience there’s another point … Continue reading QUESTION: How do you determine if an exhibit is good, better or best before it’s completely designed?
Like brainstorming, maybe we need to “planstorm” before we begin to plan by asking a defining question: What the heck are we doing? Preparing to team teach interpretation planning with Dr. Teresa Coble as part of the Stephen F. Austin State University’s on-line graduate program, is causing me to think back on what I know … Continue reading Planstorm before you plan
It’s late spring and everyone’s attention naturally turns to…WORMS! All across Arkansas the big, beautiful blossoms of catalpa trees catch our attention. Last week I was wade-fishing a cool, clear creek and big clumps of whitish blossoms cascaded from catalpa treetop to the water’s edge along both banks. Beautiful! A while back I visited Williamsburg, … Continue reading Fishing for people with worms
Top 10 ways to turn information into interpretation. Continue reading Top 10 ways to turn information into interpretation
We adjust our interview questions for full-time park interpreters fairly regularly. A few years ago I added: Name three ways you turn information into interpretation. I like the question and believe it tells us a lot about what an applicant understands about the art of interpretation. I feel it’s a very easy question with a … Continue reading Top 10 ways to turn information into interpretation
Place-based behavior can change visitors and parks.. Continue reading Place-based behavior can change visitors and parks.
People are adapters. We adapt slowly, and we adapt quickly, depending upon the situation. Social adaptation is one of the fastest of all our adaptation skills. That is – behavior around other people. People have an innate desire to conform, to be within the bell curve of normative behavior, to camouflage our behavior so we … Continue reading Place-based behavior can change visitors and parks.
The Work of Parks. Continue reading The Work of Parks
Interpretive Communications 