 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Abstracts:
Volume 11, Number 1 2006 |
|
| RESEARCH | |
| The
Effect of Thematic Interpretation
on a Child’s Knowledge of
an Interpretive Program Jennifer L. Tarlton 7303 Myrtle Ave Eureka, CA 95503 (707) 443-4100 jennhaig@hotmail.com Carolyn J. Ward Associate Professor Environmental and Natural Resource Department Humboldt State University (707) 826-5639 carolyn.ward@humboldt.edu Abstract In the field of interpretation, thematic interpretation is a widely accepted technique used to increase knowledge gain from interpretive programs with educational goals and objectives. Although the approach has theoretical grounding in cognitive psychology, social psychology, and persuasive communication, it has not been formally tested in a field interpretive setting. This study addressed this lack of empirical evidence by comparing children’s knowledge gained from a thematic versus a non-thematic interpretive program. It also compared type of knowledge gained by evaluating three different levels of learning: recognition, recall, and application. The results supported the use of thematic interpretation and program construction. The thematic group not only showed a significant increase in ability to recall and apply information, but was also three times more likely to identify the theme and main points of the program, when compared with the non-thematic group. No differences between groups were found for the recognition measure. This indicated that thematic interpretation is effective at encouraging higher levels of thinking and learning and highlights the importance of matching correct evaluation measures with learning objectives. Further management and research implications are discussed. The Impact of Normative Message Types on Off-Trail Hiking Patricia L. Winter Research Social Scientist United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station 4955 Canyon Crest Drive Riverside, California, 92507 phone (951)680-1557 pwinter@fs.fed.us Abstract Depreciative activities and high annual visitation levels threaten the health and sustainability of the giant Sequoia. Signage is one route to managing visitor behavior. Research suggests a two-by-two conceptualization of normative messages in signs. Messages may present the “ought” (injunctive) or the “is” (descriptive) of behavior and may be stated positively (prescriptive) or negatively (proscriptive). This paper summarizes findings from an experiment testing normative messages and presents evidence for injunctive-proscriptive messages as the most effective route in gaining desired behavior. Under this condition off-trail hiking was less likely to occur, compared to the incidence of off-trail hiking under four other conditions (including a control under which no additional sign was posted). In contrast, the incidence of off-trail hiking was greatest when the descriptive-proscriptive message was used (when compared to three other message types). The injunctive-proscriptive message is most appropriate when a behavior is desired shortly after exposure to a message and may not be most effective when longer-term maintenance of actions is desired. |
|
| IN SHORT | |
The
Concept of Authenticity: Implications for Interpretation |