Opening Doors to Great Guest Experiences is a new training tool to help museum staff and volunteers deliver outstanding experiences through live interpretation. Copies of this resource can be purchased at www.openingdoors.connerprairie.org for $39. This resource is a DVD/CDROM set that features interpretation expert and host of PBS.
The Woodwright's Shop Roy Underhill and learning theorist and author Lynn Dierking.
"Conner Prairie museum, a leader in the museum world as a result of its stellar programming and award-winning Opening Doors approach to guest service, has created a training tool that includes over thirty interpretive communication exercises, practical tips and techniques for engaging and inspiring guests and video clips of live interpretation for comparison and discussion.
Museum professionals around the United States and the world (orders have come in from New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Japan) have purchased these materials. Below are some comments from museum professionals about this resource."
Mary Kay Cunningham, author of The Interpreters Training Manual for Museums.
"There is a tremendous need for interpreter-training tools that explore and model conversational interpretation. The techniques offered in this DVD/CD-Rom are based on innovative research and offer new insight into how training interpreters in these techniques can positively impact the visitor experience. I have no doubt this will be an invaluable resource for interpreters, and the individuals who train them, for years to come."
Rick Finch, Site Manager, Fort Meigs State Memorial, Ohio Historical Society.
"This is a wonderful project that will help any museum big or small with their interpretive training. The DVD gives sites with limited training time and money some excellent, easy-to-use resources for helping improve the way we, as interpreters, engage our guests. It creates flexibility in training, allowing volunteers or staff to train from home if needed."
Rip Stalvey, Museum Director, Cracker Country, Florida State Fair Authority
"This is exactly what we needed. It will move us light years ahead in terms of better engaging our visitors. You could not have hit the nail more squarely on the head. The DVD and CD-ROM have a logical, common sense approach that make it easy to apply in a range of situations."
