Designing interpretive audio tours to enhance meaningful learning transfer at a historic site;

摘要

The purpose of this research was to examine transfer of meaningful learning in a free-choice learning setting. Specifically, this research looked at the effect of interpretive message design on visitors' ability to transfer leaning from a heritage tourism site. This was an important perspective to gain, since learning transfer has not been explored in a free-choice learning environment but is an important learning outcome for heritage site visitors. Interpretive messages are common tools used to enhance learning at heritage sites and can be manipulated to enhance learning transfer. This Canadian case study offers preliminary insight into interpretive techniques useful for enhancing transfer and provides insight into future research that could improve our understanding of meaningful learning at tourism destinations. The theoretical and practical implications of this research will be examined and an overview of future research stemming from this study will be provided.