Meaningful interpretation: how to connect hearts and minds to places, objects, and other resources

by David L. Larsen

Meaningful How to Connect Hearts and Minds to Places, Objects, and Other Resources is a training and learning tool for interpreters. Using a personal journaling format, this volume includes questions, text, exercises, and the insights of colleagues. It prompts the reader to explore the relationship of tangible resources to their intangible meanings, the role and purpose of interpretation, and the responsibilities of professionalism. This book is pertinent to all interpreters-brand new, experienced, volunteer, or paid professional. It includes natural, cultural, and historical examples and is useful for parks, refuges, zoos, museums, nature centers, and other places. Meaningful Interpretation captures the essential philosophy and best practices of the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program (IDP). The IDP was created by hundreds of field interpreters through a series of workshops and training courses, and defines professional standards for National Park Service interpretation through a national benchmark curriculum.

199 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Francesca Calarco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Created by National Park Service staff and edited by David L. Larsen, Meaningful interpretation: how to connect hearts and minds to places, objects, and other resources is a solid reference for rangers, interpreters, and anyone who works with heritage resources or place-based education.

“Interpretation provokes the discovery of personal meaning, connection, and care about the resource. Interpretation also facilitates democracy. It allows for and stimulates a conversation of multiple meanings and points of view. Interpretation encourages audiences to find themselves in the resource as well as engage, comprehend, and appreciate the perspectives of others.” (59)

Interpretation, while working in tandem with education to inspire a love of learning, is not quite the same thing. Education seeks to teach facts and critical thinking, whereas the interpretive approach seeks to foster a learning environment where visitors can form their own empathy and connections to the tangible and intangible elements of a given place. This volume provides examples and interpretive tools that can be utilized when working with historical, cultural, and natural resources.

“Your job is not leading people to the meanings you think they should know and feel. Your job is to help people discover their own meanings. When you do your job well, people might come to conclusions you don’t agree with. So be it. If people come to care about your park, you’ve done your job!” (176-77)

As this book functions as a learning tool for the interpreter with sections for reflection, there are moments of repetition, though this does allow for easier retention of key takeaways in different contexts. If you are interested in studying this topic, I would recommend working through this book with someone else—many of the concepts presented are more so conversation starters than finalized theory.

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Amber Hawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for my research, but I wasn't a fan of how the workbook elements were structured.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to develop thoughts and skills in this area for my job and as a group read with the National Association for Interpretation. Since I didn't train in this field but find myself doing more and more of this as part of my job I really gained some new perspectives and inspiration. Really enjoyed talking with others in similar work at other settings about what they thought and how they interpreted what they read. The author walks you through the philosophy of interpreting natural, historical, and cultural themes. It is a book I will keep and return to as I develop new programming.

[Bequi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't gotten far in this book, it's more of a journal/workbook with thought provoking, long answer questions at the end of each short section. I am enjoying it and I feel that it will help me to become a better Interpreter/Field Naturalist.