Fundamentals of Interpretation

There are 5 principles of interpretation. Interpretation should do 5 things; relate to the audience, reveal information about the topic, be a combination of many arts, provok interest in the topic and be a part of a greater whole.

1. Relate to your audience — interpretation should somehow relate to your audience in someway. This can consist of talking friendly, using familiar words they’ll understand, smile and make eye contact, create small talk and speaking loud and clear so everyone can hear what you are saying. It’s also important to be level with your audience and not to be talking down or up to them.

2. Reveal information about the topic — revealing information about a topic isn’t just about spilling it out all in one shot, but slowly building up to the main topic. Catching the interest of your audience can also keep them focused in while you are building up along with asking questions throughout the presentation and testing their vocabulary.

3. Be a combination of many arts — being able to present in many different ways is important as well as being a storyteller, acting it out, being an educator, creating a dance, being a visual artist, and creating a comedy to amuse your audience.

4. Provok interest in the topic — showing a picture, creating a skit, playing games, and asking questions can grab the attention of your audience and be effective for providing interest. Such as using catchy signs and titles can also grab the attention of the people you are presenting to.

5. Be a part of a greater whole — sharing ideas when in a group can help you aim to present a whole rather than a part. Tie individual messages into a bigger picture that can make it easier for people to relate and understand. Ex. A sign about a beach can be tied into the greater ecosystem by showing its relationship or role to the community.

Wetlands Presentation

Here is a link to my Importance of Wetlands presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BxZXh0Sv96zcfw6fX4s7-6nzbgsR_wY1MAes1FDhtCQ
And here is a link to my Wetlands Infographic:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAC1e8iNOUM/zsceCgHA_b7a7cub_DPHEA/view

Oak Hammock Marsh Presentation

When the ladies from Oak Hammock Marsh came to our school, they told us about the wetlands in Manitoba and about what ecology is. Ecology is the study of how different organisms interact with each other within a wetland. After they were done with their short presentation, everyone got to participate in an wetlands activity. There were 4 different activities all separated into 13 sections. The sections were; forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and aquatic ecology. Once everyone was finished at all of the different stations, the ladies went over the answers with us. Many of the people got a lot of the correct answers including me with only missing 15 out of 47. I think that it was a great experience and I would definitely do it again if they came to the school again, or we were able to do something like that at our wetlands. 

What is Interpretation

Interpretation is something that is more than just education. It is something that can help make a person more fully understand the natural cultural world. Interpretation is not something that you just point out a part, but instead present the whole thing. It's easier to hear, see, and do, rather than being a listener and everything go from one ear to the other. The role of the interpreter is to catch and bring in the attention of the viewers in an emotional feeling. Interpreters try to indoctrinate the viewers about the appreciation, respect, and love for cultural heritage.

"Through interpretation, understanding. Through understanding, appreciation. Through appreciation, protection." —Freeman Tilden

Favourite Thing About Wetlands

On my Importance of Wetlands presentation some of my favourite topics are; the wildlife in wetlands, the native plants to an area, and how wetlands improve water quality. But the most interesting topic that I have learned about is the different animals that live in an wetland and how important it is. 

My Importance of Wetlands Project

For my Importance of Wetlands presentation some of my main points are; improves water quality, provides habitats, about climate change, flood control, education programs, biodiversity, and economic benefits.