The Fermata appraisal of recreation and entertainment opportunities in East Park, West Park, and the Wissahickon is final. For the past 18 months we have been exploring this most historic park system, and our recommendations are now complete. The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department (PP&R) has been an honor and joy to work with, particularly Commissioner Mike DiBerardinis and his assistant Kathleen Muller. The entire staff has been unwaveringly supportive, and we thank all of them for their invaluable assistance. We have posted a PDF of this report in the Fermata library.
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NAI Presentation in Panama
As promised, here is Ted’s presentation from NAI in Gamboa. There will be more information on the NAI meeting to follow.
Ted also photographed many of the scenes and wildlife in the area. Many of these photographs were taken on the grounds of the resort or boating about Gatun Lake. Click on the photo to access the entire gallery.
For those interested in the current data from Pew Internet about cell phone use, we have included a presentation from their most recent newsletter.
Cell phone ownership and trends
View more presentations from Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project
Our Friends, the National Association for Interpretation
For the past several years Fermata has been a supporter of NAI, the National Association for Interpretation. Ted met Lisa Brochu, NAI’s Associate Director, while in Texas. Yet over the years our involvement has been limited to participating in national events and the like.
Last year, however, Ted became interested in NAI’s certification process. There are only a few certification programs in our field available internationally, and NAI’s is the only one that focuses on interpretation. Given the importance of interpretation to our work, Ted decided to participate in NAI’s program and to become certified himself. As with so much that we do, unless we have actually done the work ourselves it is hard to recommend a program to our clients.
Ted learned yesterday that he has completed all of the requirements for certification in interpretive planning and in heritage interpretation. Both of these are professional certifications, where the work completed is reviewed by peers in the profession. Ted is completing the final requirements to be certified in interpretive training, and should have that certification in hand by fall.
The more we are involved in NAI the more we are impressed with the program and the people. Fermata has been involved in a number of organizations that relate to our work, and with NAI we truly feel at home. If you are interested in learning more about NAI, or about the types of work and projects for which Fermata is certified, please contact us directly.
Laurel Highlands Summit
The Laurel Highlands, in southwest Pennsylvania, is the second of the Conservation Landscape Initiatives (CLIs) for which Fermata developed a strategic plan. We worked under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and were partnered with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) in this initiative. On Monday, April 4, Ted spoke at the second Laurel Highlands Summit in Latrobe at St. Vincent’s College. Over 200 people attended, a testament to just how far this CLI has progressed.
Ted spoke about interpretation in the digital world; specifically, he talked about the new Great American SmartTrail app as well as Space for Place. His PowerPoint from the talk follows.
Quick Response (QR) Codes in Interpretation
It is the framework which changes with each new technology and not just the picture within the frame…Marshall McLuhan
Have you noticed those ubiquitous maze-like squares that are being plastered on everything from dog biscuits to airline tickets? For example, instead of a printed boarding pass you can now check in by having a QR code on your smart phone scanned as an electronic ticket. Quick Response (QR) codes have been the rage in Japan (a Toyota subsidiary developed the technology), but Americans have been slow to adopt the system. Not us. We are into new gizmos, and QR codes are no exception.
What are QR codes? According to Wikipedia,
A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.
QR codes are like square barcodes, and can be easily generated, printed, embedded, or otherwise affixed. For example, we are beginning to add QR codes to our interpretive signs that link viewers to updated information about the particular site or thing being interpreted. We are also using QR codes in SmartTrail development, adding QR codes to trail signs and wayfinding markers.
For example, QR codes can be added to park signs to give visitors access to interactive maps, weather, the park’s website, contact information, or alerts. The following is a simple example of a QR code.
This particular QR code contains Fermata’s web address. Scan the code with a QR reader on your SmartPhone, and you will proceed directly to the Fermata website.
Here is another example:
Scan this with your iPhone, and Ted’s vCard will be placed into your contacts.
QR is not the only tagging scheme available. Other schemes include MS Tag, Data Matrix, Aztec Code, and Micro QR Code. QR coding is the most widespread, however, and therefore we are focused on how to incorporate this technology into our work. Tagging schemes are also becoming location aware, adding an interesting dimension to this techology.
The Great American SmartTrails program includes a number of these approaches, including a SmartTrail app for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. The app offers a broad range of options not available with QR codes, such as navigation. However, we feel that QR codes are an important enhancement for our interpretation, and you will see them more frequently in our work in the months ahead.
One advantage to QR codes is the cost. Readers and code generators are available on the internet for free (we like Qrafter as a reader, and have linked it above). There is a cost for printing the codes, but this is possible on your home computer.
One word of caution, however. Channeling McLuhan, the medium threatens to become the message. Bar codes, QR codes, GIS coordinates, and the like simply provide convenient triggers for interpretation. In themselves these schemes have no interpretive value. However, in the hands of skilled interpreters these are valuable tools for enhancing interpretive programs and products. Technologies such as QR codes are wonderful advancements, but nothing replaces the interpretative content at the heart of it all.