Journal of Interpretation Research

Abstracts: Volume 13, Number 2 2008
RESEARCH
The Interpretive Power of Setting: Identifying and Protecting the Interpretive Potential of the Internal and External Setting at Copan Archaeological Park, Honduras Christopher C. Mayer, Ph.D. 11 Calle 7-51, Zona 1 Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala humomono@yahoo.com 011-502-5073-0255 George N. Wallace, Ph.D. Colorado State University Dept. of Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism Room 231 Forestry Building Fort Collins, CO 80523-1480 970-491-5165 Fax: 970-491-2255 georgew@cnr.colostate.edu Abstract This study examined how differing levels of restoration and development within, and intensifying development adjacent to Copan Archeological Park would affect interpretive potential and the visitor experience at this World Heritage Site in Honduras. Surveys and interviews with visitors revealed that Latin Americans, North Americans, and Europeans all show a preference for a mixture of restored ruins and those being reclaimed by nature. Visitors described how this juxtaposition added to their experience. A majority of visitors indicated a strong preference for maintaining agricultural or forested lands between the park and the town of Copán Ruinas and described how the intensification of development would impact their experience. Implications for park management and interpretive planning are discussed and recommendations given. Protecting the interpretive potential of these settings will require interpreters to inform the protected area and local government planning decisions that will ultimately determine the content and quality of programmatic interpretation. Characteristics of Animals Used in Zoo Interpretation: A Synthesis of Research Nicholas E. Fuhrman Assistant Professor Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication University of Georgia 116 Four Towers Building Athens, Georgia 30602-4355 Email: fuhrman@uga.edu Phone: (706) 542-8828 Fax: (706) 542-0262 Howard Ladewig Professor (retired) Department of Agricultural Education and Communication University of Florida 305 Rolfs Hall Gainesville, Florida 32611-0540 Email: hladewig@verizon.net Phone: 352-392-0502 Fax: 352-392-9585 Abstract Most research on the use of animals in zoo interpretation focuses on visitor knowledge and attitude change, with little emphasis on the characteristics of the animals used as interpretive tools. A synthesis of research was conducted to: (a) identify the characteristics of animals used as teaching tools in zoo interpretation and (b) determine the usefulness of such information to zoo and other non-formal interpreters. Most research on the use of animals in zoo interpretation involved large, active, exotic animals. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of native, locally relevant species as interpretive tools. When used in zoo interpretation, native species have the potential to help educators address locally relevant conservation issues. However, more research is needed on the use of locally relevant species in interpretation. Information on the effectiveness of native, readily available species would be useful to interpreters lacking the resources of larger zoos and using injured or imprinted local wildlife in education. Measuring Passenger Satisfaction of Interpretive Programming on Two Amtrak Trains in the Midwest: Testing the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory Mark Morgan Associate Professor Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 105 Natural Resources Building University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, Missouri 65211 (573) 882-9525 markmorgan@missouri.edu Xiaodan “Dani” Dong Graduate Student Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism University of Missouri-Columbia Abstract The National Park Service (NPS) developed a partnership with Amtrak in 1994 to offer interpretive programming for train passengers on selected routes. Since its inception, over 1.5 million passengers have attended nearly 60,000 presentations delivered by park rangers or trained volunteers. On-board presentations create a unique opportunity for the NPS to interact with many individuals who are not traditional park visitors. For Amtrak, interpretation is a value-added service. The purpose of this study was to evaluate passenger satisfaction of NPS-led presentations on two trains in the Midwest during the summer of 2005. A field experiment was designed to compare the responses of passengers in treatment (n=72) and control (n=80) groups using expectancy disconfirmation theory. Passengers were satisfied with all aspects of the presentations, including interpreter characteristics, message quality, and program benefits. A Systems-Based Interpretive Planning Model that Links Culturally Constructed Place Meanings and Conservation Jon Kohl Interpretive Planner Fermata, Inc. jon@fermatainc.com Apdo. 12-2250, Tres Ríos, Cartago, Costa Rica Tel: +1-202-470-0817 Fax: +506-2278-0349 Ted Eubanks CEO & President Fermata, Inc. Houston, Texas, USA Abstract A principal function of heritage interpretation should be to link people and places in order to conserve those places. The motive to conserve does not arise only from within the interpretation field. Due to increasing urgency of biological and cultural heritage loss, the wider resource management field requires participation of all conservation-related tools, interpretation included. Any conceptual model concerned with integrating interpretation into conservation programs, then, must explain how interpretation’s central elements of place meanings and audiences directly contribute to conservation. This paper, then, presents a conceptual interpretive planning model that involves audiences in place conservation by leveraging culturally constructed place meanings (in an interpretive framework) to promote desirable actions that meet conservation objectives found in a place’s policy framework. It further describes how interpretive planning can facilitate people’s natural process of constructing meaning, that when combined with appropriate place-based cultural narratives, interpretive media, and conservation knowledge, can result in audiences’ increased likelihood to participate in conservation.
IN MY OPINION
Why We Should Communicate, Rather Than Interpret: A Reply Kim Sikoryak Chief of Interpretation & Education Intermountain Region National Park Service I read with interest the article by Levi Novey (Novey, 2008) in Volume 13, Number 1 of the Journal, in which he identifies several problems with interpretation and offers several potential solutions to address those problems. The “problems” and “solutions” cited are not new—and I believe that they proceed from faulty premises that would profit from a reply. After 30 years in the game, here are my thoughts.
IN SHORT
An Evaluation of a Headwaters Institute Watershed Seminar Marion B. Harrison Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science Appalachian State University Holmes Convocation Center ASU Box 32071 Boone, North Carolina 28608 Harrisonmb@appstate.edu (828) 262-6324 Fax: (828) 262-3138 Sarah Banks Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science Appalachian State University Abstract This research is an evaluation of a Headwaters Institute seminar. The Headwaters Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide education to professional river guides in order to encourage and empower guides to act as environmental interpreters. The ultimate goal of the institute is to inspire the clients of these river guides to care for and connect with the river environments. Using perceived specific teaching and motivation efficacy as outcome measures, pre- and post-tests indicate a significant increase in self-efficacy regardless of age, gender, or length of time in the profession. This research indicates that the seminars empower professional river guides to act as environmental interpreters.