emerit Heritage Interpreter flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Tilden's Definition

Interpretation is an educational activity that aims to reveal meanings and relationships through original objects, firsthand experience, and illustrative media, rather than simply conveying factual information.

Theme Statement

A single complete sentence expressing the central meaning an audience should remember. It asserts significance rather than naming a topic, and it guides selection of all program content.

Provocation Principle

The idea that interpretation should stimulate visitors to think for themselves and want to learn more, instead of delivering finished conclusions or mere instruction.

Revelation vs Information

Information presents facts; revelation exposes the deeper meaning and relationships behind those facts. Interpretation uses information as raw material for revelation.

Whole-Person Principle

Interpretation should address the whole person, engaging intellect, emotions, and senses together, because visitors respond through feeling and experience as well as reasoning.

Audience Segmentation

Dividing potential visitors into groups sharing characteristics such as age, motivation, prior knowledge, group type, language, or ability, so programs can be tailored to each group's needs.

Front-End Evaluation

Evaluation conducted before a program is designed, used to learn about audience needs, interests, expectations, and constraints so that planning starts from evidence.

Formative Evaluation

Evaluation carried out during program development, testing drafts with small groups to identify confusing content, timing problems, and design flaws before final delivery.

Summative Evaluation

Evaluation after a program has been delivered, measuring whether intended outcomes such as learning, satisfaction, and behavior change were achieved.

Non-Captive Audience

Visitors who are free to leave at any moment, such as drop-in museum guests. Programs must earn and hold their attention continuously rather than assume attendance.

Universal Design

Designing programs and facilities to be usable by the widest possible range of people, including those with disabilities, without requiring special adaptation or separate versions.

SMART Objectives

Program objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, describing observable audience outcomes rather than the interpreter's own activities.

Program Development Cycle

The repeating sequence of needs assessment, goal setting, design, delivery, evaluation, and revision that structures professional interpretive program planning.

Pilot Testing

Delivering a draft program to a small trial group to reveal timing problems, unclear language, logistical gaps, and safety issues before full-scale implementation.

Interpretive Plan Hierarchy

The layered planning sequence from general management plan to interpretive plan to program plan to daily delivery plan, each level adding operational detail to the one above.

Contingency Planning

Preparing alternative activities, routes, or venues in advance so a program can proceed safely when weather, closures, or other disruptions occur.

Open Questioning

Asking questions that invite explanation and multiple answers rather than yes-or-no responses, then pausing several seconds so visitors feel able to reply.

Signposting

Verbal cues that tell the audience where a program is heading and how each segment connects to the theme, helping listeners follow and remember the structure.

The Hook

The opening seconds of a program designed to capture attention through a surprising fact, question, object, or story before any logistics or rules are mentioned.

Object-Based Interpretation

Using original objects or props to make abstract ideas concrete and tangible, with clear handling instructions so the resource is protected and visitors stay safe.

Voice Modulation

Deliberate variation of pace, pitch, volume, and pause during delivery to maintain interest, emphasize key points, and remain audible to the whole group.

Primary Sources

Original records, archives, oral histories, archaeological evidence, and peer-reviewed research that interpreters verify and cite before presenting claims as fact.

Cultural Heritage

Heritage encompassing built structures, movable objects, and intangible practices such as language, craft, music, and tradition, often overlapping with natural heritage at one site.

Provenance

The documented origin and history of ownership of an object, site, or story, which supports accurate interpretation and honest attribution of uncertainty.

Legal Designation

An official protective status such as national park, listed building, or protected area, which carries legal restrictions and obligations that interpreters must know and respect.

Hierarchy of Controls

A risk-reduction ranking from most to least effective: eliminate the hazard, substitute, engineer controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.

Risk Assessment

A site- and activity-specific written process identifying hazards, estimating likelihood and severity, applying controls, and reviewing the assessment before each program.

Emergency Action Plan

A documented procedure covering communication, evacuation routes, assembly points, first-aid access, assigned roles, and incident reporting for emergencies during programs.

Duty of Care

The legal and ethical obligation to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm, including warning about hazards that cannot be removed.

Incident Report

A prompt written record of an incident capturing time, location, people involved, actions taken, and witnesses, submitted to the responsible manager for follow-up.

Break-Even Point

The visitor number at which total revenue equals total cost, calculated as fixed costs divided by the contribution per visitor, which is price minus variable cost.

Fixed vs Variable Costs

Fixed costs stay constant regardless of attendance, such as salaries and insurance; variable costs change with each program delivered, such as materials and casual staff.