Evaluating the Effectiveness of Live Interactive Virtual Explorations Involving a Hard-to-Reach Native American Earth Lodge and a Pacific Island Volcanoes Site

Live Interactive Virtual Explorations (LIVE) effectively bridge geographical and accessibility barriers, enabling inner-city youth to engage with remote UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study demonstrates that LIVE activities significantly enhance educational experiences by linking participants with experts at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Utilizing high-performance wireless networks, the research highlights how real-time interactions—facilitated by computers with headsets and microphones—capture audience interest, deepen learning, and foster connections to cultural and natural heritage. The findings underscore the potential of LIVE as a transformative tool for education and public engagement in protected areas.

Bruch, K. M., Braun, H.-W., & Teel, S. (2011). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Live Interactive Virtual Explorations Involving a Hard-to-Reach Native American Earth Lodge and a Pacific Island Volcanoes Site. Journal of Interpretation Research, 16(1), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/109258721101600105