Connecting Canadians with their Natural and Cultural Heritage: Parks Canada’s Connectivity Project and Proof of Concept Pilot 
Morag Hutcheson, Parks Canada, Canada
Michael White, Parks Canada, Canada
In early September 2006, Parks Canada conducted a proof of concept pilot to explore and evaluate the use of videoconferencing as a central component of an interactive, hosted multimedia event aimed at connecting urban Canadians with educational content about national parks. The pilot, conducted at Parks Canada's Discovery Centre in Hamilton and in rented facilities at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, was part of an ongoing “connectivity” project under the supervision of the Agency's Public Information and Education Branch. Aiming to evaluate and research connectivity programming models for distance public education, Parks Canada’s connectivity concept would connect urban Canadian audiences and school classrooms in real-time with expert specialists and conservation partners in remote heritage locations across Canada. Parks Canada’s New Media Strategies and Investment team will present an overview of the connectivity project in general with specific focus on the proof of concept pilot, the qualitative evaluation of the pilot via focus testing with representatives of target audiences, including students and teachers, and a summary of the results of market research commissioned to explore the potential opportunities for museums and public education organizations to work together towards developing Canadian content for public and in-school programming connecting Canadians with their natural and cultural heritage.
Briefing: Briefings: Regional Models [Close-Up]
Keywords: videoconferencing, pilot study, evaluation, market research, public education, national parks, distance education
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