Tag Archives: RCompass

Oct18

Virtually Inspiring

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Image by TheEverlastingFallout. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.

Image by TheEverlastingFallout. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Would you be interested in traveling to the Louvre in Paris, France? RCompass’ recommended app Sphere 360 can take you there.

After downloading this free iOS based app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod; you will be able to search locations around the world. Select a site and by holding your device, you can view that specific spot in 360 degrees-simply rotate!

Click here to download this app and begin traveling to some of the worlds most breathtaking locations-virtually.

App demonstrated at the 2013 Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Conference by LeAnn Suchy.

Aug7

Interpretive Writing Workshop Opportunity

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The Art of Interpretive Writing

Image provided by Alan Leftridge. Some rights reserved.

Image provided by Alan Leftridge. Some rights reserved.


Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd East
Bloomington, Minnesota
Saturday, September 14, 2013
9 am to 4:30 pm
Write compelling interpretive messages! This workshop offers you the basics of interpretive writing that apply to signage, exhibit labels, brochures, websites, public service announcements, books, and magazines. You will understand how to create clear, dynamic, and concise interpretive texts, reveal meanings, and ways to excite visitors about your site, whether it is a museum, park, zoo, nature center, or aquarium.

Topics include: The Interpretive Writing Process · Concept Mapping · Universal Concepts · The Five Elements of Interpretive Writing · Meeting Your Audience’s Needs ·  Concise Wording · Keeping Your Reader’s Attention · The Importance of Fluency ·  Redundant Wording · Understanding Readability Indexes · Using a Human Interest Scale ·Capturing Your Reader’s Attention · What to Avoid · Connecting with a Narrative · The Editing Process · Evaluation

The fee is $295 and includes instruction, refreshments, handouts, and a copy of the  Interpretive Writing textbook.
Contact Alan Leftridge, leftridge@blackfoot.net, 406.754.2940 to register.
Alan Leftridge, Ph.D., is the author of Interpretive Writing, and specializes in interpretive
training seminars across North America. Access leftridge.com for additional information.

Aug6

World Conference!

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Nature. Image by Moyan Brenn. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Nature. Image by Moyan Brenn. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Ecotourism is considered an alternative form of tourism for travelers. These destinations provide an educational component, capture a larger portion of  revenue locally, and strive to minimize the impact generated by the tourists/tourism. Often the main focus is on the natural environment and indigenous peoples and/or cultures.

To learn more about ecotourism you can visit  the International Ecotourism Society.

If you are interested in attended the 2013 World Conference this September, click here for details.

Jul30

Road Trip Tip!

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Image by Road Trippers.com. Some rights reserved.

Image by Road Trippers.com. Some rights reserved.

 

Looking for a travel tool to help you plan your next trip?

Road Trippers is a free online travel planning site. It links you to published travel guides, popular destinations across the United States and related blogs.

You can cruise through this site by using the navigation panel on the left. To help narrow your search, click on the types of places/attractions (sports, entertainment, nature, etc.) you would prefer to visit.  The map of the U.S. will tag possible locations using color coded dots for each category you select.

Click here to begin  your search with RoadTrippers.com

Jul29

School Tour!

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Sauk Centre, MN. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Sauk Centre, MN. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

This past weekend I stumble upon an open house tour of a beautifully staged one-room schoolhouse.

These historic buildings are a piece of  American history, signifying early settlements in rural communities across the United States. Before the construction of a more modern school building and the convenience of being driven to school in large orange buses. Children would walk or ride horse (sleigh and buggy) to a small schoolhouse that consisted of a singular room where multiple grades were taught by one teacher.

Many of these structures have been lost over the last century; burned, left to decay, torn down, salvaged for parts and even re-purposed as single family homes. However, some have been saved for special events, school field trips, history day classes and community museums-open to the public like the one my son and I visited in Sauk Centre, MN. We would like to thank the kind retired school teacher who talked about her years as a teacher and shared her story with us.

If you are interested in learning more about these iconic structures, the One-Room Schoolhouse Center website was created in 1998 and provides a host of information about early education in the United States. Tip: Click on the “Villages/Museum” link to find a site near you.

Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Jul24

Bucket List Expeditions?

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Bucket. Image by mil8. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Bucket. Image by mil8. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.

The phase “bucket list” has become a part of pop-culture. It refers to a list of life-time, desired achievements.  Over the last few years, the idea of creating a personal “bucket list” has become a growing trend. And, of course, often travel is at the epicenter.  If you are in the process of creating a list,  click here to include a Tour(s) of a Lifetime. Complied by National Geographic, it includes a list of 50 of the best guided expeditions in the world.

TIP: For additional ideas, consider perusing the BucketList.org for popular list items or recently completed tasks (upper right corner). If you choose to become a member (at no cost) you can compile, track and share your list with friends, family and other task masters.

Jul23

Wine Country U.S.A.

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Wine. Image by Berlado Leal. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Wine. Image by Berlado Leal. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Are you  a wine enthusiast, interested in some of the top wineries in the United State? Home and Garden Television (HGTV) has posted a photo tour of the top 22 wineries in the United States. From the east coast to the west coast and everything in between. Click here to begin your virtual tour!