Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School
Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School
International Exchange
During your trip to France, you will develop an understanding and appreciation for another culture. You will research a tourist attraction in Paris, act as an interpretive guide while in Paris for your attraction, and then reflect on your experiences in a personal journal. Throughout your battlefield studies, you will develop an understanding of historical events that have shaped our world, and in turn, will reflect on these in your journal. The projects outlined below will help you develop a greater appreciation of the sites you’ll visit on your trip as well as earn you some high school credit! You’ll also learn about tourism interpretation which has the following three goals:
· increase visitor awareness, appreciation and understanding
· accomplish management goals of thoughtful use and minimal visitor impact
· promote visitor understanding of the host tourist area
Tourism Interpretation - Module TOU2090
Requirements:
Module Description: Students evaluate the different types of interpretative
media and demonstrate the basic skills of an information attendant,
by conducting an interpretation program for a tourism activity
Learner Expectations
The student will:
· define the term ‘interpretation’ and describe opportunities for interpretation activities within the region.
· list different interpretative media and identify the factors that influence media selection/ use
· develop and interpretation program for a tourism activity
· describe the duties of an information attendant, and practise the basic skills of information duty
Students will be required to complete two projects (one group and one individual) which involves four assignments for this module as indicated follows:
A. Group Project – Expo-Paris 2009 - 80%
- Interpretation Program Research (60%)
- Presentation (20%)
B. Individual Project – Information attendant (on site in Paris) - 20%
- Practice the skills of information duty
A. Group Project – Expo- Paris 2009 - MARCH 11, 2009 - 80%
Similar to a Science Fair and the Expo-Alberta, our Expo-Paris 2007, held on March 7, will allow students and parents to learn about some of the sites that Paris has to offer. Be sure to research and collect good information to make your presentation visual, exciting and interesting. You are the expert on your tourist site so be prepared to answer questions and sell it as ‘the best site to see in Paris!
This Group Project has two parts:
1. Interpretation Program Research (60%) (See Assessment Tool TOU2090-2)
2. Presentation on March 11 (20%) (See Assessment Tool TOU2090-1)
Research project and presentation guidelines
You will need to research your topic and consider the following for your Expo-Paris presentation on the evening of March 11th. (Your topic and group members have already been assigned). The information below should be included as part of a written, oral and/or visual presentation of your site for Expo-Paris.
· Research the history of your tourist attraction.
· Create a timeline of dates and major historic events.
· Determine the location of your landmark in Paris and indicate this on a map of the city. Then, research at least 2 subway routes by which you can travel to the location.
· Identify and describe conducted and ‘nonconducted’ tour activities
· Determine the visitor hours and cost of entry for your site.
· How much time would be required to travel to the site, visit the site, and return “home”?
· Make sure to consider how you will display and promote / market your attraction as “the best” at the Expo-Paris evening
Note: This section of your project will be evaluated by people attending the Expo-Paris (eg. teachers, parents, members of the public).
B. Individual Project – Information attendant - On-site Paris - 20%
(See On-site Paris Presentation Evaluation)
As the expert on your tourist attraction, you will be responsible for taking your group to the site (on the subway), acting as a tour guide for the site, and answering any questions your group members might have, then taking your group back to the hostel.
Points for consideration:
· You will need to bring information relating to the attraction with you. Example: historical significance, city map, subway map, etc.
· As the expert tour guide for your attraction, decide how you will best showcase its appeal.
· You will be evaluated on site by your teacher leader according to your level of preparation, your performance as a tour guide and your ability to navigate the city of Paris.
C. Reflective Journal
As you travel through France, you will make daily entries in your journal. This journal will be handed in to your teacher-leader at the end of the trip. You may be asked for it at various points during the trip as well.
Points for consideration:
Section A:
· Personal thoughts and feelings regarding your travel experience with your friends and colleagues as it unfolds
· Self-evaluation of your experience as a tour guide
· Evaluate your on-site presentation to your Paris group.
· Do you feel that your presentation was successful?
· What would you do differently if you were to do it again?
· Reflect on your interpersonal interactions (including your coping abilities and strategies with a busy travel schedule) throughout the trip. How did you get along with your group members? Are you a flexible traveler?
· Reflect on differences perceived among the 2 different cultures. For example, societal differences, differences in lifestyle, school, home life, food, entertainment, etc.
· Did you catch the “traveling bug” on this trip, or have your realized that you are more of a “homebody”? Explain.
Section B:
· Reserve about 5 pages at the back of your journal. Keep a list of all the sites and attractions that are visited from the very beginning to the end of the trip. For each site, briefly list the type of tour taken, and whether or not it was self-guided or there was an interpreter available.
· At the end of the trip, comment on the types of tours you prefer. If planning another trip, what type of interpretive activities would you seek out?
· What was your favourite tour / attraction / visit on the trip?
Bon voyage!