Comments on: Exploring Wi-Fi-Ready Interpretation http://www.onlinelegacy.org/2009/05/exploring-wi-fi-ready-interpretation/ The magazine of the National Association for Interpretation Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: GThompson http://www.onlinelegacy.org/2009/05/exploring-wi-fi-ready-interpretation/comment-page-1/#comment-40 GThompson Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:58:41 +0000 http://onlinelegacy.org/?p=52#comment-40 Multimedia interpretation provides several opportunities that go beyond traditional interpretive outlets, such as brochures, signage, and tours. I think that one opportunity for wi-fi/multimedia interpretation is the ability to deliver high quality content where traditional signage is undesirable. This is the same role a docent or park guide plays, sans personnel. Often it is a concern to not visually clutter a site with signage that is subject to wear, vandalism, and replacement. Here multimedia programming can excel as there is no actual impact on the site and nothing to wear out. For small parks or other sites where staffing is not an option due to budget constraints, programming can be developed and made available 24/7. It also opens the door to making content available around the world to audiences far beyond a typical pool of visitors. Anyone with computer access can see and hear what your park has to offer. Multimedia interpretation provides several opportunities that go beyond traditional interpretive outlets, such as brochures, signage, and tours.

I think that one opportunity for wi-fi/multimedia interpretation is the ability to deliver high quality content where traditional signage is undesirable. This is the same role a docent or park guide plays, sans personnel. Often it is a concern to not visually clutter a site with signage that is subject to wear, vandalism, and replacement. Here multimedia programming can excel as there is no actual impact on the site and nothing to wear out.

For small parks or other sites where staffing is not an option due to budget constraints, programming can be developed and made available 24/7. It also opens the door to making content available around the world to audiences far beyond a typical pool of visitors. Anyone with computer access can see and hear what your park has to offer.

]]> By: bob flasher http://www.onlinelegacy.org/2009/05/exploring-wi-fi-ready-interpretation/comment-page-1/#comment-39 bob flasher Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:57:38 +0000 http://onlinelegacy.org/?p=52#comment-39 I think should debate all the pluses and minuses of in-park electronic communications long and hard before jumping on the Generation X bandwagon. Like, what is the point of watching a a video of half dome on your iPod in Yosemite and then stepping outside to see the real mountain? Why not just skip the electronics all together and just get out in nature? It comes down to whether we want to provide simulated or real-life experiences, doesn't it? I think should debate all the pluses and minuses of in-park electronic communications long and hard before jumping on the Generation X bandwagon. Like, what is the point of watching a a video of half dome on your iPod in Yosemite and then stepping outside to see the real mountain? Why not just skip the electronics all together and just get out in nature? It comes down to whether we want to provide simulated or real-life experiences, doesn’t it?

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