Program Development & Evaluation Flashcards

Which audience segmentation factor is MOST critical when developing interpretive programs for national parks?

Answer: Visitor prior knowledge and connection to the resource

Understanding prior knowledge and existing connections to the resource helps interpreters bridge gaps and increase relevance.

A program developer conducts exit interviews with visitors immediately after an interpretive walk. This is an example of:

Answer: Summative evaluation

Exit interviews conducted after the program measure outcomes and represent summative evaluation.

What is the recommended maximum number of main themes for a single interpretive program or product?

Answer: One

Best practice in interpretive planning calls for a single, focused theme per program to maximize audience retention and impact.

A ranger develops a campfire program that ends with a call to action encouraging visitors to report invasive species sightings. This addresses which type of outcome?

Answer: Behavioral outcome

Calls to action that prompt specific visitor behaviors target behavioral outcomes in interpretive evaluation.

Which evaluation tool uses a scale (e.g., 1–5) to measure visitor attitudes before and after a program?

Answer: Likert scale survey

Likert scale surveys measure the strength of agreement or attitude, making them ideal for pre/post attitude assessments.

In interpreting for children, developmental appropriateness means:

Answer: Tailoring activities, language, and concepts to the child's cognitive stage

Developmentally appropriate interpretation aligns content, language, and activities with the cognitive and emotional stages of the child audience.

Which principle guides the selection of interpretive media (e.g., signs, apps, guided tours) for a new visitor center?

Answer: Media should match audience needs, site conditions, and interpretive objectives

Media selection must align with who the audience is, what the site offers, and what outcomes the interpretation aims to achieve.