What Leads to Better Visitor Outcomes in Live Interpretation?

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc J. Stern ◽  
Robert B. Powell
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Visitor Experience ◽  
Visitor Satisfaction ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Program Characteristics ◽  
Intentions To Change

We conducted a study to empirically isolate the factors that are most consistently linked with positive outcomes for the attendees of live interpretive programs. We examined the relationships between interpreter and program characteristics and three visitor outcomes—visitor satisfaction, visitor experience and appreciation, and intentions to change behaviors—across 376 programs in 24 units of the U.S. National Park Service. The analyses revealed a list of 15 characteristics associated with these outcomes across a wide range of program types and contexts. Some of these characteristics constituted commonly promoted practices in the interpretation literature (e.g., thematic communication, Tilden's principles, and appropriate organization). However, certain characteristics of the interpreter, in particular their confidence, passion, sincerity, and charisma, were also strongly correlated with positive visitor outcomes. We discuss the study's implications for both interpretive practice and future research.

Are We Loving Our National Parks to Death? A Call for Research on Crime and Law Enforcement in the U.S. National Park System

2021 ◽  
pp. 073401682110157
Author(s):  
William Andrew Stadler ◽  
Cheryl Lero Jonson ◽  
Brooke Miller Gialopsos
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Current State ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Service Data ◽  
National Park System ◽  
The U.S

Despite a recent surge of visitation and frequent media accounts of lawlessness in America’s national parks, little empirical research has been dedicated to crime and law enforcement in the U.S. national park system. The absence of systematic crime and justice research within these protected spaces should raise concern, as recent park service data and intra-agency reports suggest visitor growth, funding and personnel declines, operational shortcomings, and technology constraints may endanger the capacity of the National Park Service (NPS) to adequately address anticipated crime threats in the 21st century. This call for research aims to raise awareness of the contemporary law enforcement challenges facing this federal agency and encourage the study of crime and justice issues within the U.S. national park system. We briefly examine the evolution and current state of NPS law enforcement and its associated challenges and conclude with a conceptual road map for future research occurring in these protected spaces.

A Comparison of Traditional and Facilitated Dialogue Programs in Grand Teton National Park: An Evaluation for the Future of Interpretive Programs

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-81
Author(s):  
Pat Stephens Williams ◽  
Ray Darville ◽  
Matthew McBroom
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Dialogue Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Traditional Program ◽  
Evaluation Scores ◽  
Traditional Programs ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Interpretive Programs ◽  
Program Characteristics

As part of finding their path for the next hundred years, the National Park Service is exploring diverse ways to engage the public and help create systemic changes in the way that the public interacts with each other. Facilitated dialogue in interpretive programs has been one of those ways. Traditionally, the public has embraced programming based on the expert and delivery, whereas the new direction leans toward an audience-centered, facilitated experience. To determine how this shift is affecting the experience related to interpretation in the parks, Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) conducted a study in 2015 and 2016. This multi-method study (this article presenting one slice) is based on the research model by Stern, et al (2012), which examined program and visitor characteristics among 56 live interpretive programs in Grand Teton National Park. Our goals were to compare traditional program with facilitated dialogue programs and to compare program characteristics over these two years. Findings indicate that traditional programs were significantly more attended than facilitated dialogue programs. However, when examining program characteristics, facilitated dialogue programs received significantly higher program evaluation scores than traditional programs. Adherence to the four-step Arc of Dialogue model was strongly and positively correlated with program characteristics.

Looking Closer: A Guide to Making Bird’s-eye Views of National Park Service Cultural and Historical Sites

2005 ◽  
pp. 59-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Patterson
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Historical Review ◽  
Special Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Digital Work ◽  
Historical Sites

The US National Park Service (NPS) has long used large-scale panoramas, also known as bird’s-eye views, to portray park sites where buildings and other human-made features are plentiful. This paper examines these bird’s-eye views, most of which were produced by nationally renowned contract illustrators in a wide range of artistic styles. Both their traditional and digital work receive attention. A brief historical review looks at the antecedents of current NPS products dating back to the Renaissance. The practical second half of the paper focuses on how the NPS now designs these bird’s-eye views with 3D software, with an eye toward cost savings. Topics include viewing parameters in a 3D scene, preparingDEMs, modeling buildings, designing trees, and creating environmental special effects. Two dozen full-color illustrations supplement the text.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variation in Visitor Satisfaction and Its Management Implications in Banff National Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1681
Author(s):  
Dehui Christina Geng ◽  
John L. Innes ◽  
Wanli Wu ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
Guangyu Wang
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Visitor Experience ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Visitor Satisfaction ◽  
Tourist Satisfaction ◽  
Banff National Park ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
High Season

Seasonal variations in tourist satisfaction is an important issue for the sustainable management of national parks worldwide. Visitors should have high-quality experiences in both the high season and the off-season. This research investigated visitor satisfaction patterns and determinants in Banff National Park in different seasons. The study was conducted through a face-to-face questionnaire survey that collected visitor demographic, expectation and satisfaction data in July 2019 (high season) and December 2019 (off-season) in Banff National Park. The data analyses were based on a sample of 741 respondents and were processed using principal component analysis, correlation analysis and logistic regression models for different seasons. There were significant differences in visitor satisfaction levels and their determinants in different seasons. The quality of the park’s natural characteristics and the park’s activities were the most important determinant of visitor satisfaction in the high season and off-season, respectively. The correlation between visitor satisfaction and expectations in the high season was generally negative, whereas all correlations in the off-season were positive. The results fill a knowledge gap by examining the seasonal differences in visitor experience and their determinants in the national park, and by building a bridge between visitor experience and tourism seasonality. The findings may assist both practitioners and scholars in understanding visitor expectations and satisfaction in different seasons. They may assist in the prioritization and effective management of the park to optimize the visitor experience in both seasons and achieve tourism sustainability.

Speculating on the Role of Context in the Outcomes of Interpretive Programs

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B. Powell ◽  
Marc J. Stern
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Resource Quality ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Interpretive Programs ◽  
Outdoor Programs ◽  
Program Characteristics ◽  
The U.S

Based on data from 272 live interpretive programs conducted across 24 units of the U.S. National Park Service, we investigate the influence of context upon interpretive programs and visitor outcomes. We first examined whether outcomes vary based upon the size of the audience and its age makeup; program characteristics such as duration, topic, and type; and characteristics of the setting including proximity to urban centers, program location (indoor vs. outdoor), and resource quality. We then examine whether different program or interpreter characteristics operate differently in different contexts by examining their relationships to visitor outcomes in four context pairings: programs with mostly children vs. mostly adults in the audience; culturally focused vs. environmentally focused programs; programs conducted in remote vs. urban parks; and indoor vs. outdoor programs. The findings suggest that a small number of program and interpreter characteristics may operate differently within different contexts. Based on these results, we propose hypotheses regarding which program characteristics appear to be more or less beneficial (or harmful) to generating desired visitor outcomes in different contexts.

scholarly journals Community Participation and Visitor Satisfaction for Ecotourism Development in Similipal National Park, Orissa

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Sampad Kumar Swain ◽  
Bivraj Bhusan Parida ◽  
S C Bagri
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Visitor Satisfaction

Community and tourists are two inseparable stakeholders that are complementary to each other in many respects in the development of ecotourism destinations. The assessment of perceptions of community and tourists on ecotourism development in the protected areas is a baseline on which ecotourism potential of the park is completely dependent. It is proved in many cases that there is a better understanding between community and tourists in the conservation of protected areas through the development of ecotourism. This paper explores how theecotourism project has brought about considerable changes in the perceptions of community and tourists. The data collected from the residents of buffer area of the park show a positive response towards the promotion of eco friendly tourism in Similpal National Park. Similarly, the results of the analysis of the perceptions of tourists demonstrate a huge responsibility to the conservation of flora and fauna and sustainability of the ecotourism attractions. The outcomes of the research will have immense impact on the park authority to involve the community in all decision making process of ecotourism project in the future. The findings of the paper have practical relevance for park authority and tour operators that are trying to develop low impact tourism or responsible tourism. This research will lay foundation for future research work on the ecotourism in the protected areas.

Comparative Effects of High-Tech Visual Scene Displays and Low-Tech Isolated Picture Symbols on Engagement From Students With Multiple Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Multiple Disabilities ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Difference

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.

Understanding Limited Use of Amplification in Infants and Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan W. McCreery ◽  
Elizabeth A. Walker ◽  
Meredith Spratford
Keyword(s):  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
In Infants And Children

The effectiveness of amplification for infants and children can be mediated by how much the child uses the device. Existing research suggests that establishing hearing aid use can be challenging. A wide range of factors can influence hearing aid use in children, including the child's age, degree of hearing loss, and socioeconomic status. Audiological interventions, including using validated prescriptive approaches and verification, performing on-going training and orientation, and communicating with caregivers about hearing aid use can also increase hearing aid use by infants and children. Case examples are used to highlight the factors that influence hearing aid use. Potential management strategies and future research needs are also discussed.

The Attenuation of Very Low Frequency Brain Oscillations in Transitions from a Rest State to Active Attention

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzannah K. Helps ◽  
Samantha J. Broyd ◽  
Christopher J. James ◽  
Anke Karl ◽  
Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Default Mode ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Interference Hypothesis ◽  
Mode Interference

Background: The default mode interference hypothesis ( Sonuga-Barke & Castellanos, 2007 ) predicts (1) the attenuation of very low frequency oscillations (VLFO; e.g., .05 Hz) in brain activity within the default mode network during the transition from rest to task, and (2) that failures to attenuate in this way will lead to an increased likelihood of periodic attention lapses that are synchronized to the VLFO pattern. Here, we tested these predictions using DC-EEG recordings within and outside of a previously identified network of electrode locations hypothesized to reflect DMN activity (i.e., S3 network; Helps et al., 2008 ). Method: 24 young adults (mean age 22.3 years; 8 male), sampled to include a wide range of ADHD symptoms, took part in a study of rest to task transitions. Two conditions were compared: 5 min of rest (eyes open) and a 10-min simple 2-choice RT task with a relatively high sampling rate (ISI 1 s). DC-EEG was recorded during both conditions, and the low-frequency spectrum was decomposed and measures of the power within specific bands extracted. Results: Shift from rest to task led to an attenuation of VLFO activity within the S3 network which was inversely associated with ADHD symptoms. RT during task also showed a VLFO signature. During task there was a small but significant degree of synchronization between EEG and RT in the VLFO band. Attenuators showed a lower degree of synchrony than nonattenuators. Discussion: The results provide some initial EEG-based support for the default mode interference hypothesis and suggest that failure to attenuate VLFO in the S3 network is associated with higher synchrony between low-frequency brain activity and RT fluctuations during a simple RT task. Although significant, the effects were small and future research should employ tasks with a higher sampling rate to increase the possibility of extracting robust and stable signals.

Philanthropy and the National Park Service

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Vaughn ◽  
Hanna J. Cortner
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Park Service
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