lit review: Interpretive Master Planning

Ok, I have gone a bit off the garden path—I know. Seems I can find relevance in most anything.

Interpretive Master Planning by John Veverka (1998) was brought to my attention during some student presentations last week. I took a peek, thinking there might be something of use here. I was right.

Although this book gives guidance on building displays, there is some helpful cross-over advice for teaching classes. After all, displays are a form of teaching. Veverka writes that a display is to “provoke visitor interest and to relate the interpretive message to their every-day lives” (2). I believe that my classes should do exactly the same thing.

The author gives examples of activities and their learning concepts/principles. He also explains the theory and planning behind display design to make the display’s message most effective. He ends the book with a section about making presentations, including checklists for planning and implementation. As a budding Toastmaster, I always find this sort of advice helpful and thought-provoking.

If you agree that teaching and displays are related, take a look at this short book and bibliography. It is an easy read with lots of visuals and point-form text.

Full title: Interpretive Master Planning: The essential planning guide for interpretive centres, parks, self-guided trails, historic sites, zoos, exhibits and programs.