
Interpretive education is a method of learning which breaks down complex information or knowledge into simpler, more conceivable forms. It is done through exposing the students to objects, landscapes, and sites that enhance the quality of education.
What is inter interpretation and education?
Interpretation and education are essential park operations and are keys to meeting the needs of on-site and virtual visitors, who number in the hundreds of millions. Statistics are reported annually in the Servicewide Interpretive Report.
What is interpretive development program?
About the Program The Interpretive Development Program is about professionalism. The Interpretive Development Program is a customized, outcome-based employee development program.
What is the interpreter training program?
Conceived, reviewed, and refined by over 300 field interpreters, this program enables an employee and supervisor to tailor professional development efforts, increase efficiency, and demonstrate interpretation at a national standard.
What is the role of interpretation and education in the NPS?
Interpretation and Education play a key role in the development of essential civic awareness skills for society, along with fostering vital health, enjoyment, and well-being. The civic function of the NPS is not just in preserving park resources and stories, but in revealing their modern relevance.

What are interpretive activities?
Interpretive demonstrations must integrate activities performed by the interpreter and/or the visitor to create the opportunity for an interpretive outcome. In a demonstration, the interpreter is trying to create an interpretive opportunity for and with the visitor, not just show or perform a task.
What is the purpose of an interpretation?
Interpreting takes place in many settings and for many reasons, yet at heart the purpose of interpreting is to facilitate communication between parties who do not share a common language. Trained, qualified interpreters faithfully interpret for all parties without adding, omitting or changing the message.
What is interpretation NPS?
In National Park Service lingo, interpretation is the process of providing each visitor an opportunity to personally connect with a place. We interpret for the visitor informally when we talk to them in the visitor center or on the trail and formally when we give a program.
What does environmental interpretation mean?
Environmental interpretation is a form of education “that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource” (NAI).
What is the meaning Interpretive?
adjective. serving tointerpret; explanatory. deduced by interpretation. made because of interpretation: an interpretive distortion of language. of or relating to those arts that require an intermediary, as a performer, for realization, as in music or theater.
What is interpretation example?
The definition of an interpretation is an explanation of a view of a person, place, work, thing, etc. An example of interpretation is a feminist perspective on a work of literature. noun. 3.
What is effective interpretation?
Effective interpretation is 'an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by first-hand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information' (Tilden, 1977. (1977).
What is the foundation of interpretation?
The Foundations of Interpretation competencies provide guideposts for implementing 21st century interpretation. They describe the broad categories of knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors needed by interpreters and educators to accomplish the critical work of our craft.
What is described as interpretative planning?
Interpretive planning is an initial step in the planning and design process for informal learning-based institutions like museums, zoos, science centers, nature centers, botanical gardens, heritage sites, parks and other cultural facilities where interpretation is used to communicate messages, stories, information and ...
What does interpretation nature mean?
According to a definition by the Nordic Council of Ministers (1990), nature interpretation is the mediation of feelings and knowledge of nature and the cultural landscape.
What are the benefits of environmental interpretation?
One of the main goals of environmental interpretation is to help humans understand the natural world. This helps them to form a positive, sustainable relationship with their environment. Interpretive programs can be targeted at any audience. They can be designed to meet specific needs.
What is a nature interpreter?
Interpreters connect visitors to important natural, cultural, and historical resources at parks, nature centers, historical sites, aquariums, zoos, and anywhere that people come to learn about places.
What is the purpose of interpretation in research?
Data interpretation refers to the process of using diverse analytical methods to review data and arrive at relevant conclusions. The interpretation of data helps researchers to categorize, manipulate, and summarize the information in order to answer critical questions.
What is the importance of interpreting the result?
People often simply summarize their results because they do not know how to interpret their findings. Summary, however, is not interpretation. Interpreting your findings is about seeing whether what you found confirms or does not confirm the findings of previous studies in your literature review.
What is interpretation in research?
Interpretation refers to the task of drawing inferences from the collected facts after an analytical and or experimental study. In fact, it is a search for broader meaning of research findings.
What is an interpretation in literature?
To interpret literature is to try and find the meaning or theme of the story. Discover how to use the text to guide your interpretation with key elements such as plot, characters, setting, symbols, and point of view.
What is interpretative communication?
Interpretation is a special form of communication that helps people understand, appreciate, and emotionally connect with the rich natural and cultural heritage preserved in parks.
What is state park experience?
State Parks experiences, both in the park units and in the classrooms, are powerful forms of education that are meaningful, involve the student and visitors, promote critical thinking, and appeal to different learning styles. Park experiences for students assist teachers with meeting curriculum needs and offering activities ...
What is an interpreter in education?
An educational interpreter is the person who will help children adapt to the school process and who will assist their family when dealing with teachers or other school authorities. However, this role can be challenging since at this age, a child’s cognitive development, critical thinking and emotional control is still evolving. Because of this, these educational interpreters have to understand how to work with a child’s emotional content and know when to intervene if the student needs clarification and information that will ensure the child understands the interpreting encounter. The most important job for an educational interpreter is to ensure the child understands and comprehends the information being given to them by the instructor team. If they do this, the child will have the best educational experience regardless of the language barrier they have.
Why is it important to interpret in education?
The Importance of Interpreting in the Education Sector. Education and communication are an essential part of everyone’s life. Regardless of what language you speak, people need to be able to express their thoughts, needs, gratitude and demand. If a child faces poor communication in school on a daily basis, the changes of ...
What is an interpreter for a LEP?
When dealing with an LEP student or parents, educational interpreters are included in parent/teacher conferences, school board meetings, disciplinary health meetings, meetings with social workers and counselors, or to just review educational plans for the child. During any of these instances, the interpreter facilitates communication between both parties to ensure that both sides fully understand the information being provided. This also helps the parents stay involved with their child’s educational needs. By having an interpreter, they will make make sure information is being accurately interpreted as well as any strategies and development plans that may need to be put in place when teaching an LEP child.
What is the job of a deaf interpreter?
From there, the child, their family and the school’s faculty heavily depend on this interpreter to teach the child. Their job is to enable the child to access the general curriculum that is being taught in the classroom through sign language interpretation. However, their job is not only to help teach a child. The interpreter can also help with facilitating communication between Deaf and hearing children, which helps with social interaction and development. By having a consistent present in the classroom, the interpreter can provide a Deaf child with the tools they need to receive an education in a language they can understand.
Why do we need an interpreter?
The interpreter can also help with facilitating communication between Deaf and hearing children, which helps with social interaction and development. By having a consistent present in the classroom, the interpreter can provide a Deaf child with the tools they need to receive an education in a language they can understand.
Why is education important for children?
A child’s education is extremely important, which means all members of a child’s educational team need to work together to provide the best learning opportunities, regardless if the child lacks of English proficiency or if the child is Deaf.

Introduction
Interpretation and Education
- An interpreter (also called an interpretive ranger) is a professional communicator who facilitates audience understanding and appreciation of park resources and our nation’s stories and treasures. Interpreters engage visitors in ways that attempt to bring meaning to each person, en…
I&E and The National Park Service Mission
- Interpretation and Education provide dynamic, vibrant, and essential support in fulfilling the NPS mission. The stewardship of park resources is highly dependent upon an engaged and supportive public. By facilitating meaningful and enriching park experiences, I&E services provide a mission-critical role — helping visitors discover why they care about park resources so that they will wan…
I&E and Society
- Interpretation and Education play a key role in the development of essential civic awareness skills for society, along with fostering vital health, enjoyment, and well-being. The civic function of the NPS is not just in preserving park resources and stories, but in revealing their modern relevance. Interpretation and Education services provide access to these aspects of relevance by: 1. Increa…
I&E and The History of The NPS
- Naturalist John Muir first coined the term “interpretation” in nature from his 1871 notebook in Yosemite: “I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and the wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.” Since then, interpretation has been a long-standing tool to reach visitors of our national par…
I&E Today
- Interpretation and education are essential park operations and are keys to meeting the needs of on-site and virtual visitors, who number in the hundreds of millions. Statistics are reported annually in the Servicewide Interpretive Report. I&E are responsible for virtually everything that pertains to information, orientation, and education in the NPS. Both Personal Services and Medi…
Personal Services
- Face-to-face encounters with the public take many forms and include: 1. Visitor center desk (orientation, information, park film, permits, radio/phones, book sales, etc. 2. Illustrated programs (outdoor, indoor programs with audio/visual (A/V) equip.) 3. Guided walks and talks (ranger and volunteer-led programs) 4. Living history (presented in 1st/3rd person) 5. Demonstrations (skills …
Media Services
- Many types of media help on-site and virtual visitors engage with national parks, including: 1. Free publications (park newspapers, foreign language translations, site bulletins, checklists, guidebooks, etc.) 2. Waysides (exterior interpretive information/orientation panels) 3. Signage (temporary or permanent signs for buildings, trails, roads, etc.) 4. Visitor center/museum exhibit…
Service Learning and Youth Engagement
- “Of the Student, By the Student, For the Student” When local middle school students visited Manassas, interpreters helped them work with videographers to develop stories that mattered to their everyday lives. The interpreters shared stories of immigrant soldiers from Ireland, stories that resonated with the students, many of whom were born in other countries, and have found a …