National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AH4 Plan and deliver interpretative activities and materials

AH4.3 Develop information materials to support an interpretative activity

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Identifying existing information materials and assessing their suitability for the interpretative activity
2. Identifying the different requirements of users of the information
3. Ensuring the generated information materials are suitable for the purpose and type of interpretative activity
4. Producing information materials within resource and time constraints
5. Ensuring the information materials are capable of attracting interest and enthusiasm in the interpretative activity
6. Ensuring the information materials contain valid and reliable information and honest interpretations

Occupational Context

1. Interpretative activities
   • include demonstrations; on/off-site programmes; presentations
   • meet the needs of: individuals / groups; the disadvantaged
2. Different requirements
   • in terms of social profile (age, background, education and financial resources)
   • in terms of special needs or disabilities, e.g. visual / hearing impairment, of limited mobility
   • in terms of user focus: learning, entertainment, professional development, procuring resources, etc.
3. Information materials include:
   • replicas
   • descriptions
   • labels
   • signs,
   • guidance materials
   • educational materials.

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Review and assess the suitability of information materials
• Undertake research to identify audience reaction to specific media
• Ensure objectivity and test the reliability and accuracy of information

You need to know about:

• The different users of information materials
• The purpose and type of interpretative activity
• How different information materials contribute to the interpretative activity
• The resource and time constraints on the production of information materials
• How information materials can attract interest and enthusiasm for interpretative activities
• What interpretation is and how it differs from providing information
• What constitutes honest interpretation
• The consequences of failing to check the currency, accuracy and reliability of information.

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Exhibition design skills

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can develop information materials to support an interpretative activity

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

• develop information materials to support 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