Final Prep Flashcards
When doing animal presentations we must be responsible for
animal well being and safety
people safety
accountability for messages received by the audience
The use of animals in up close and personal settings is positive and powerful as long as
use and setting is appropriate
animal is used in a safe, respectful manner
conservation message is an integral component
suitable species/ individual animals are used
Benefits of audience engagement with a live animal
visitors view animals three to four times longer and retain more information
How do ambassador animals enhance environmental attitudes?
they increase emotional connections
they influence attitudes about conservation and stewardship
they develop positive feelings about the care and well being of zoo animals
People safety in order of priority
Public
Classmates and staff
Personal
The animal
Animal handling guidelines
to be handled by students and staff only
must have a backup at all times
animal’s behavior determines if they are used
ill animals will not be used
touchable moments are limited and only offered during structured volunteer segments
it is okay to pause the program if dealing with an uncontrolled moment
Guidelines for being on stage with an animal
the animal is the center of attention
follow the animal’s lead
show the animal to everyone
be aware of unaware people
be in control of the animal at all times
Rules for reptiles
keep snake head away from anyone on stage and the audience
2 finger touch in the direction of scales
No touching for lizards
big snakes do not cross the stream
do not place snake around neck or waist
after public interaction, instruct them to wash hands or offer hand sanitizer
Piaget’s theory
schema
assimilation
accommodation
equilibrium
cognitive development
Aspects of the theory of cognitive development
age ranges are guidelines
abilities progress in a predictable way
you can’t push a child to move through stages
does not work in reverse
Stage 1
0-2 year olds
sensorimotor stage
learning is based on senses (touch/hand to mouth)
learning about physical world
learning about their own bodies
Stage 2
2-7 year olds
pre-operational stage
symbolic thinking
egocentrism
theory of mind and empathy
pretend play and imagination
Stage 3
7-11 years old
concrete operational stage
learning how to think logically
children can comprehend decentration
abstract thought (can understand things like relationships)
likes to know why
How should you set up a show for children at stage 2?
use directed questions
play with words
use real, familiar images
use repetition
avoid sarcasm
silly stuff
likes to know why
How should you set up a show for children at stage 3?
ask group questions
share a little more detail
use bigger words
have them predict/guess answers
Stage 4
12 and up
formal operational stage
reasoning expands
moral reasoning
questions everything (rules/ possibilities)
ask more challenging questions
What are three examples of a captive audience?
involuntary
school groups
professionals in a seminar
What are three examples of a non-captive audience?
voluntary
visitors to museums or zoos
people that watch tv and/or read
How do you speak to a special needs audience?
don’t talk down
make eye contact
face the audience
adjust your pace
What is the emcee’s purpose?
interpret
control
entertain
help the trainer/handler
7 ways to be successful
professionalism
organization
likability
enthusiasm
confidence
delivery
voice
Non-verbal communication includes
sounds
appearance
facial expressions
How should you effectively use body language to effectively communicate our message?
stand strong
gesture effectively
engage your audience
How NOT to stand
hands in pockets or on hips
What is stage fright?
fear of public speaking or performance
Symptoms of stage fright?
shortness of breath
sweaty
dizziness
need to use restroom
blushing
Things that help with stage fright
know your stuff
change your perception
pay attention to your audience
reduce physical symptoms
get excited
breathe
stretch
smile
laugh
power pose
Define catastrophizing
vague, overblown feelings of gloom and potential disaster
Define cognitive restructuring
the acknowledging of negative thoughts and replacing them with realistic and positive ones
What is a theme?
the message or main idea that we want to communicate. It encourages the audience to think more deeply about and understand the subject
What is a good theme?
complete sentence/idea
answers the so what question
connects tangibles to intangibles
specific and interesting
What does a structured, well organized presentation look like?
intro
body
conclusion
Steps to an introduction
introduce yourself
give a time frame
grab attention
stage your theme
Steps to a body
supporting ideas that guide the audience through your presentation
4 or less subthemes
keep it simple
What is a conclusion?
the last thing you say
can excite and inspire your audience if strong and be confusing if weak
Steps to a conclusion
restate theme
summarize subthemes
call to action
opportunity to seek further information
say thank you with a smile
What are tangibles?
artifacts, people, animals, things
What are intangibles?
ideas, concepts, hidden meanings, the big picture
What are universal concepts?
intangible ideas likely to appeal to everyone
family, death, love, friendship, joy, change, care, teamwork, etc.
What is descriptive language?
vivid, specific descriptions
active verbs/words that provoke emotion and hold attention
How to use a dramatic question?
pose questions to engage
observe reactions
play off their energy
Why should you use an expressive voice?
it sets the story’s tone and mood
use a conversational, friendly, expressive, natural tone
avoid expressing negative emotions
What is wildlife education?
the act of educating others and increasing their awareness and knowledge of wildlife conservation and their role in helping to make a positive difference
What are some ways wildlife education can be achieved?
outreach
presentations
any opportunity to interact with visitors
As wildlife educators, how are we also interpreters?
we make an animal relevant, meaningful, and special to our audience through effective storytelling
What is our goal as interpreters?
to go beyond the facts and connect each animal in some way to the hearts of the audience
What are three ways knowledge can fuel passion?
the more you know, the easier it is to inspire
know the history of the organization you work for
know about the animals you care for
What effects does a fear of public speaking have on people?
fight or flight body response
reduces confidence
embarrassment
What are some benefits to power posing?
builds confidence and reduces stress
What is the purpose of interpretation?
increase knowledge and awareness
make the animals relevant and memorable to the audience
What should you control as an emcee?
the flow of the presentation
the speed and energy
audience involvment
What is the purpose of entertainment?
to create an entertaining environment because the audience is voluntary and expects to have a good experience
Ways to be a successful emcee
professionalism
organization
likeability
enthusiasm
How to be professional
neat, clean appearance and dress
Benefit of being organized
a well organized, prepared presentation builds confidence and credibility
How to be likeable?
exhibit good humor and a positive attitude
practice genuine friendliness
obvious concern for their well being and interests
What does a lack of enthusiasm cause?
repels the audience
steal their joy
instills a negative lasting attitude about the message
How to have confidence?
act the part
believe in yourself
speak conversationally
What does voice include?
pitch
volume
rate
quality
variety
How is pitch applied?
a lower pitch reaches further, and too high can be distracting
How is volume applied?
speak to the back row
can control audience with your volume
How is rate applied?
use a rate of speed that the audience is able to follow
How is quality applied?
avoid slurring
speak each word clearly
different types of accents (nasally, harsh, raspy, melodic)
How is variety applied?
Avoid being monotone
Why are presentations with ambassador animals a powerful catalyst for learning?
audience engagement
visitors retain more info
enhanced environmental attitudes
Safety considerations
think about safety
an animal’s disposition can change in an instant
What are two examples of sending a mixed message?
cuddle
encouraging animals as pets
Who are the handler animals?
rabbits
chinchilla
opossum
hedgehogs
reptiles
amphibians
tarantulas
emu
cockroaches
Who can cross the stream?
rabbits and lizards (if not squirmy)
opossum
roaches
small snake
hedgehogs
tortoise- TILLY ONLY
animals in carriers
Who can’t cross the stream?
chinchilla
large snakes
emu
What body part of an animal are the public not to touch?
head
Animals that are okay to touch
rabbits, large and small snakes (tail only), tortoise, cockroaches (back only)
What should you be prepared for when handling animals?
bites
running off stage
animal is not performing as planned
fire alarm
missed entrances
audience not following directions
Define interpretation strategy
purposeful design and delivery of communication that stands a better chance of making a difference on purpose with the kinds of audience most encounter
Who wrote the first, formal, published definition of interpretation?
Freeman Tilden
Define interpretation
An educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, and by illustrative material, rather than to simply communicate factual information
Define the NAI
National Association for Interpretation
A mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interest of the audience and the meaning inherent with your audience
Facts about John Muir (1838-1914)
made first known notes on interpretation in 1871
spokesman for 1800s conservation movement
helped start the sierra club and founded yosemite
Facts about Enos Mills (1870-1922)
mentored by John Muir
Colorado guide
wrote Adventures of a Nature Guide 1920
Suggested a guide’s goal is to illuminate and reveal
Facts about Freeman Tilden (1883-1980)
wrote the first published definition of interpretation
captured practices of professionals he observed in the field and incorporated them into 6 guiding principles
Tilden’s 6 Principles
- Any interpretation that does not relate what is being displayed/described to the personality/experience of the visitor is sterile
- Information is not interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based upon information
- Interpretation is art
- The chief aim of interpretation is not instruction but provocation
- Interpretation should aim to present a complete theme and address a whole rather than a part and address itself to he whole person rather than a phase
- Interpretation addressed to children should not be a dilution of that for adults but should follow a fundamentally different approach
5.
Three purposes of interpretation
- enhance audience experience
- impact attitudes
- influence how the audience behaves
What is the purpose of interpretive provocation?
Make people think and find personal meaning
What is the purpose of interpretive teaching?
Make people learn and understand established facts
What is the purpose of interpretation as entertainment?
entertain people and provide a good time
Which type of interpretation provides the best outcome?
a purposeful, intentional combination of all three
How do we organize a presentation?
thematic interpretation uses a central theme as a guide to develop the presentation. Develop the theme in such a way that it will be highly relevant to an audience
What does TORE stand for?
Theme
Organization
Relevant
Enjoyable
What is the two step process to help define a theme?
Select your topic, “generally my presentation is about…”
Express your theme “after hearing my presentation, I want my audience to understand that…”
What makes information relevant?
information has quality when it connects to something we already care about
As a storyteller, what is your most important communicative tool?
expressive voice
How to display animated body language?
let your audience see your story on your face as well as hear it in your voice and words
practice
commit to your gestures
talk with your body and hands
