27773 Guiding and Interpretation Management

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

Students undertake a program that develops their skills as interpretative guides and their understanding of the management of this area of a company/agency. The program focuses on the roles of leadership and small group communication to develop an understanding of the skills that are required of a guide.

Interpretation and the forms it takes in settings such as historic sites, museums and protected areas are explored to enable students to meet the needs and expectations of potential clients when operating or managing guiding.

Environmental, outdoor and experiential education methods and techniques are presented to develop skills and understanding of matters such as ecological concepts, risk management and legal liability. The subject uses an experiential learning approach based in a variety of settings but particularly focuses on the outdoors.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Define the various forms of communication in relation to tourism/visitor management and to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the types of communication used in guiding and leading groups.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the preparation and delivery of various personal and non-personal interpretation methods for tour groups.
3. Understand the politics of display/presentation/interpretation as it relates to incorporating cultural difference (cultural sensitivity).
4. Understand the legal and visitor management issues that relate to guiding and leading small groups in different environments.

Contribution to graduate profile

The elective subject provides the basis for graduate students in arts or tourism management to understand the contribution that guiding and interpretation can make to visitor experiences and visitor management. Guiding and interpretation are perceived to be of increasing importance in these industries.

Teaching and learning strategies

In conjunction with the staff supervisor, students develop individualized learning objectives in relation to a set range of topics. They are assisted in pursuing these objectives by the staff member and guided by a manual that outlines 14 learning modules.

Content

This subject provides the basic skills and knowledge needed to manage or operate guiding and interpretation services. It builds on areas such as group interaction, small group leadership, interpretation, environmental and experiential education, heritage management to provide the student with a sound basis to manage guiding and interpretation in a variety of settings. It deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of various communication forms needed to operate as a visitor guide. It provides the skills to take the ideas found in interpretation and apply them to small groups.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Design and Programming Exercise

Assessment item 2: Guiding Exercise (Individual)