Updated course available soon

Over the past several months, the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands and the National Park Service have been working to revise the Informal Visitor Contacts and Interpretive Talk e-courses. These foundational courses, which are used by both NPS and non-NPS interpreters, were originally released in 2007. It became evident that revisions and updates were necessary to maintain their freshness and relevancy to the field, and to respond to advancements in online educational technology. The revised Informal Visitor Contacts was released in June 2012, and the revised Interpretive Talk is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2012.

The release of the revised Interpretive Talk course will impact both new students and students currently enrolled. Here's what you need to know.

If you are currently enrolled in Interpretive Talk:
You will still have access to the current Interpretive Talk course. You will not be automatically enrolled in the revised course. If you would like to be un-enrolled from the current course and enrolled in the revised course, please contact Nona Capps at nfcapps@indiana.edu. However, if you are enrolled in the current Interpretive Talk course with a coach, you must remain enrolled in the current course. Coached students will not be able to access the revised course until after they complete their advanced certificate.

If you are a new student enrolling in Interpretive Talk on or after October 1, 2012:
You will automatically be enrolled in the revised course. Currently, students have the opportunity to earn a basic or an advanced credit in Interpretive Talk, and they will still have that option in the revised course. The revised course has streamlined the coaching process, such that the advanced credit activities are more straightforward for both students and coaches. The basic credit offers a certificate of completion upon successfully passing the course assessment, while the advanced credit offers a course credential. Earning an advanced credit is optional and requires students to work with a coach on additional assignments.

If you work for the National Park Service and would like to work with a coach, please visit the NPS Interpretive Development Program website at http://idp.eppley.org/ to learn more. If you do not work for the NPS but still want to work with a coach, please visit the National Association for Interpretation website at http://www.interpnet.com/certification/coaches.shtml to learn more about their coaching services.

It is our hope that interpreters will continue to learn and benefit from the revised Interpretive Talk e-course. To register for any of our interpretation courses, please visit the catalog on our website, www.eppley.org.

Established in 1993 by Indiana University's Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, the Eppley Institute partners with recreation, park, and public land organizations to enhance access, choice, and quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences.

For more information on the National Park Service Interpretive Talk e-course or any of the Eppley Institute's interpretive courses, contact Nona Capps at:
Telephone: (812) 855-0864
Email:        nfcapps@indiana.edu

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