Training

Life-long learning is at the heart of interpretation. By becoming better professionals, we enhance our ability to help park audiences care about park resources.

In this section of the website, you will find learning resources and opportunities available for specific competencies. Explore each developmental level (tabs above) to find a variety of on-line and downloadable resources by competency.

On this main page (below) we will maintain a list of upcoming servicewide and regional training courses and courses of study as they are announced. If you know of upcoming training that is not listed here, please contact your regional interpretive training representative to get it added to this page.

Instructor-led IDP Training and Forums:

• Interpreting Climate Change -- Virtual Class -- May 7-10, 2013 -- multi-day webex -- registration in DOI Learn (search by title) closes April 14. Each day will involve a schedule of webinars, activities, and discussions. See the full announcement [pdf]

• Interpretive Development Creative Collaborations Series-- Hosting Collaborative Conversations with Coworkers. This session is May 24, 2013, 12:30-2:00 PM EDT. This web chat provides an open platform to discuss how to leverage existing interpretation resources to the best effect. A provocative reading assignment will be provided in advance and the session opens with an example of innovation. After the example, participants engage in a facilitated conversation to share their questions, concerns, solutions and suggestions. Register here.

• DigInterp Indepth Webinar Series -- Join John Rudy and John Tobiason for a discussion of digital interpretation topics. Next session is April 23, 2013-- 1:00-2:30 PM EDT -- Just Pretty Pictures: Interpreting Through the Pixels. Register here.

• We Got You Covered webinar series -- an effort to build a more collaborative community for park educators that inspire and fosters open communication and exchange of ideas. Good Interpreters are Good Educators & Good Educators are Good Interpreters! Join on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 from 2:00PM - 3:30PM EDT. Register Here.

• Registered Local Coaches Courses -- offered by the Regional Lead Coaching teams to train park-level interpretive coaches – contact the office of your regional Chief of Interpretation for upcoming dates and registration information.

Coming soon:

• Digital Media for Interpreters-- A new class is being planned for late summer, tentative dates July 9-12 -- watch this space for details! This continues to be a popular and exciting virtual classroom course (no travel!). Course participants experiment with new technologies and new interpretive techniques via a distance learning "virtual" classroom -- each day involves a schedule of webinars, activities, and discussions.

• Interpreting Critical Issues Using Civic Engagement & Facilitated Dialogue Techniques-- Another class may be offered later this year -- watch this space for details! This classroom course focuses on the front-line interpreter’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and discussion, and a range of ways to incorporate these techniques into new and existing park programming.

Additional NPS Interpretive Training Opportunities

How To Play the Game webinar series
(Northeast Regional Office of Interpretation, Education, and Partnerships)

• May 14 & 16
  • Interpreting Media: Competing with the Best Equipment
• July 9 & 11
  • Communicating Success: Making Your Winning Play Go Viral
• September 10 & 12
  • Evaluation Strategies: Taking Stock and Tallying Up the Score

IDP On-line Self-study Courses

A series of training courses has been developed by NPS interpreters in partnership with Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands-- continuously available to all interpreters from any computer: