"Interpretation training in a box! It's all here: the principles, the ideas, the strategies - and a wealth of practical and proven training materials to reproduce and use."
Until now there has been no manual available which addresses the key issues involved in teaching interpretation to others.
The Interpretive Training Handbook: Strategies, Tips, Handouts and Practical Learning Experiences for Teaching Interpretation to Others at last fills this gap. It distils the experience of one of the world's leading interpretive trainers, John Veverka, and is based on his training techniques and exercises developed over three decades, and currently used in his university-level interpretation training courses.
Designed for use with a wide range of specialist staff - including interpretors, educators, designers, curators, gallery explainers, guides and volunteers - in museums, galleries, science centres, historic houses and sites, parks, zoos and commercial tours, the book includes sample pre-and post-test "exams" that let you check if your training is actually working.
Importantly, the techniques presented in the book are proven to work in illustrating interpretive concepts and principles. They are supplemented by a wealth of forms, checklists, exercises, worksheets, lesson plans and teaching aids designed to be freely copied and used.
Author John Veverka comments: "The goal of this handbook is to act as an aid for both new interpretive trainers and long-time experienced trainers, providing new ideas, strategies, teaching aids and handouts that may contribute to professional and successful training events. All the materials in the handbook are based on materials and strategies I have used, and continue to use, in university level courses in interpretation, and training courses for agencies, organizations, and facilities worldwide. These are materials that work, and that have been used in hundreds of interpretive training exercises and programs."