National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AH4 Plan and deliver interpretative activities and materials

AH4.2 Deliver and evaluate an interpretative activity

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Ensuring the interpretative activity is an honest interpretation of the subject matter
2. Delivering the interpretative activity in a manner that meets the needs of the audience
3. Encouraging members of the audience to ask questions and seek clarification at appropriate stages
4. Choosing sites and locations for the interpretative activity that are appropriate environments and allow maximum visibility
5. Handling information and items carefully and ensuring that the latter are undamaged
6. Conducting the interpretative activity within the resource and time constraints
7. Clearly establishing appropriate success criteria
8. Evaluating the activity using only the established success criteria
9. Basing all conclusions and subsequent recommendations on the results of the evaluation

Occupational Context

1. Honest interpretation
   • that which is in line with proposal specifications
   • that which is not simulated but which is grounded in evidence
   • that which is without bias
   • that which is not skewed and steered
   • ensuring material evidence retains its integrity
2. Interpretative activities
   • include demonstrations; on/off -site programmes; presentations
   • meet the needs of: individuals/groups; the disadvantaged
3. Appropriate success criteria
   • in terms of proposed objectives
   • in terms of realistic outcomes
   • in terms of quantifiable evidence
   • in terms of contributing to the profession/ discipline/ society in a constructive and commendable way
4. Recommendations
   • for future archaeological practice
   • for policy
   • for individual / social / cultural behaviour and development

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Ensure evidence presented retains its integrity
• Pace and sequence activities for different audiences
• Encourage audience participation
• Ensure maximum visibility
• Draw accurate conclusions

You need to know about:

• The subject matter at the heart of the interpretative activity
• What constitutes an honest interpretation of the subject matter
• Why evaluation is important
• What size the audience should be for different interpretative activities
• What constitutes an appropriate environment for the interpretative activity
• The resource and time constraints relating to the interpretative activity
• The health and safety regulations that should be met

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Risk assessment skills
• Best Practice assessment

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can deliver and evaluate an interpretative activity

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the documentation provided, to explore how they:

• deliver interpretative activities to meet the educational, leisure and study needs of users.

Evidence Rules

The candidate should have been involved in planning and delivering interpretative activities in at least 2 substantive contexts.

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Today's date: 31/7/2010
This page last updated: 27/7/2007 16:17