Introduction to Heritage Interpretation

About this course

This course teaches the foundation of heritage interpretation. Interpretation is defined as “A mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resources” (National Association of Interpretation) and usually is used as an educational method to teach about the meanings of heritage to the audiences. This course teaches the basic concepts and theories about heritage interpretation, and technical skills in how to plan, implement, and evaluate interpretive programs.

This course consists of 10 modules, including:

Reviewing the Basics

Exploring Our Roots

Interpretation Theory Part One

Interpretation Theory Part Two

Program Preparation Part One

Program Preparation Part Two

Message Delivery Techniques

Program Delivery Part One

Program Delivery Part Two, and

Self-Improvement

This course can be used to complement a Guiding course. The materials in this course will be beneficial to the governmental, private, public-private, non-governmental. Specifically, the materials in this course will be beneficial to educators (teachers and lecturers), tour guides, hobbyists, students, naturalists, and many others, or anyone who simply wants to learn basic knowledge of heritage interpretation. It is encouraged that students of this course practice the skills beyond the course to have a more thorough understanding about the foundation of interpretation.

What you will learn