Environmental Interpretation
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
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| Description | We consider environmental interpretation as a specific approach to OEEP, since it has its own method of program development, and these programs are often carried out outdoors with a clear environmental focus. Environmental interpretation is designed as an educational method for participants in informal settings who are taking part in a program voluntarily, most often in their free time; thus, some authors label them ‘pleasure seekers’. The method places emphasis on engaging the attention of the participants and facilitating experiences that connect the participants with the world around them. Although developed for educational programs at heritage sites, the method has a wider application in outdoor environmental education, in particular in non-formal and informal educational settings. The chapter introduces the basic methodological principles of environmental interpretation, thematic interpretation in particular, and confronts it with voices critical to the mechanical approach of themes to program development that take the participant out of the sight. Since using authentic objects and involving personal emotional dimensions are at the core of the educational method, the chapter also discusses wider questions of authenticity and emotional involvement of a program participant using the concept of universal deeper meanings. In the last part, the chapter discusses the new trends, like participative approaches, or application of the digital media in environmental interpretation. |
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