Using New Media for Interpretation
Recently added: IAN's huge libraries of symbols and photos. Look under Finding Media > Photos.
At one time, interpretation happened mostly on-site in our natural and cultural areas, and often via face-to-face encounters with our visitors. Today, we can reach our audience on-site or off-site, anywhere in the world through the use of new media such as:
Podcasts
Vodcasts
Slideshows
Video
Multimedia presentations
Timelines
Map-based stories
Broadcasts
What does this mean to us as interpreters? Do we need thousands of dollars for software and tools? Do we need to hire technical specialists? Do we need technical training? The answer to these questions is: sometimes. BUT there are also ways to get started on a low budget with little technical expertise. Today there are hundreds of new, free or inexpensive technology tools available for telling interpretive stories on-site, online, and on mobile devices.
This website is meant to support your efforts as you venture into the world of new media. On the pages of this site, you will find links to a variety of free tools that can be used to tell interpretive stories and resources to help you use those tools.
Remember that your focus should be on the interpretive stories you need to tell, or the tasks you need to accomplish. If you focus on the tool, you will be limited by its capabilities. Instead, decide what you need to do and find the tool that will allow you to do it. There are free tools for nearly anything you need to do . . . and more are appearing daily.
As you work with these tools, plan to store your source materials together in a folder on your computer. Free tools come and go. If your materials are stored in an organized fashion it will be easy to recreate your interpretive stories as new tools become available.
As an illustration of the many free tools available, I decided to create this site using the free website builder, Weebly (http://www.weebly.com). While the design choices are somewhat limited, it is quick and easy to put together a website that looks professional and serves your purposes. There are many free website editors available online. Another popular one is:
Wix (http://www.wix.com/).
At one time, interpretation happened mostly on-site in our natural and cultural areas, and often via face-to-face encounters with our visitors. Today, we can reach our audience on-site or off-site, anywhere in the world through the use of new media such as:
Podcasts
Vodcasts
Slideshows
Video
Multimedia presentations
Timelines
Map-based stories
Broadcasts
What does this mean to us as interpreters? Do we need thousands of dollars for software and tools? Do we need to hire technical specialists? Do we need technical training? The answer to these questions is: sometimes. BUT there are also ways to get started on a low budget with little technical expertise. Today there are hundreds of new, free or inexpensive technology tools available for telling interpretive stories on-site, online, and on mobile devices.
This website is meant to support your efforts as you venture into the world of new media. On the pages of this site, you will find links to a variety of free tools that can be used to tell interpretive stories and resources to help you use those tools.
Remember that your focus should be on the interpretive stories you need to tell, or the tasks you need to accomplish. If you focus on the tool, you will be limited by its capabilities. Instead, decide what you need to do and find the tool that will allow you to do it. There are free tools for nearly anything you need to do . . . and more are appearing daily.
As you work with these tools, plan to store your source materials together in a folder on your computer. Free tools come and go. If your materials are stored in an organized fashion it will be easy to recreate your interpretive stories as new tools become available.
As an illustration of the many free tools available, I decided to create this site using the free website builder, Weebly (http://www.weebly.com). While the design choices are somewhat limited, it is quick and easy to put together a website that looks professional and serves your purposes. There are many free website editors available online. Another popular one is:
Wix (http://www.wix.com/).