Distance Education and Active Learning One Approach to
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Transcript Distance Education and Active Learning One Approach to
Distance Education and
Active Learning
-One Approach to Support
Succession Planning
Aram Attarian, Ph.D
North Carolina State University
Department of Parks, Recreation and
Tourism Management
Raleigh, NC
Introduction
One of the many challenges facing today’s state park
systems is its aging work force.
How will the knowledge, experience, and institutional
memory be retained?
What skills and knowledge will new state park managers
need to meet the demands of their new jobs?
Innovation in Training
Succession Planning
A “systematic process of developing individuals to fill an
organization’s key roles” (Harrison, McKinnon & Terry,
2006)
Training Component to
Succession Planning
National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD)
developed a set of nine competencies for new state park
managers to:
gain an in-depth understanding of the primary
competencies required to manage a state park,
develop an awareness of the traditions, trends, and
future challenges associated with managing a state
park, and
develop a network for the ongoing exchange of
knowledge, ideas, information, and experiences.
SPLS Goals
Understand the core competencies needed to manage a
state park.
Facilitate the development of professional park
leadership.
Provide a medium for the exchange of knowledge, ideas,
information, and experiences.
Strengthen participants’ awareness of emerging issues
while respecting the traditions of the profession.
Develop a leadership pool qualified for leadership
succession at the park manager and system
administration level.
Sponsors
National Association of State Park Directors
North Carolina State University Department of Parks,
Recreation & Tourism Management, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University Office of Professional
Development
Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling, WV
The Process
NASPD focus group creates a set of competencies.
RFP - Creates an approach and partnership with NCSU.
NCSU designs a 2-year, two-part training program
Distance Education (DE)
On-site (active learning)
NASPD Leadership creates a BOR for a State Park
Leadership School
Competencies
Establishing identity/traditions
Conservation/preservation
Customer service
Planning
Trends and future challenges
Ethics
Resource planning models
Inventory process systems
GIS as a management tool
Stewardship
Environmental impact statements
Ecosystem management
Trails
Monitoring Visitor Needs and Marketing
Law Enforcement
Programming / Visitor Services Practices / Special
User practices
Trails
Monitoring Visitor Needs and Marketing
Law Enforcement
Programming / Visitor Services Practices / Special
User practices
Values and Management of Interpretation and
Education Programs
Friends Groups / Volunteers / Partnerships /
Networking
Media
User Groups / User Conflicts
Government Relationships
Budget/fiscal
Values and Management of Interpretation and
Education Programs
Procurement
Revenue and Business Planning and
Entrepreneurial trends
Marketing
Contract management
Project management practices
Time Management / Delegation
Laws and regulations
Site safety and risk management
Maintenance planning/budget
Employee relations
Recruitment/retention and succession management
Multi-cultural management
Conflict resolution/Problem Solving/decision making
Team building
The Program
BOR members develop courses following a template
created by the School Director.
DE program developed using authorGEN software and
made available to students on compact disk.
The 3-day On-Site program utilized a variety of active
learning techniques (i.e., case studies, roundtable, small
group exercises, panel discussions)
The DE Program
Advantages
Accessibility
No waste of time or other
resources commuting
Flexibility to study in any
location
Self-paced learning
Quickly browse materials
already mastered
Flexibility for those with
irregular work schedules
Accessibility for those with
restricted mobility
Disadvantages
Technology issues
Advance planning required
May be hidden costs
involved
Does not offer immediate
feedback
Distance learning may not
be acknowledged by all
employers
Does not give students the
opportunity to work on oral
communication skills
Benefits of On-Site Program
(Active-Learning)
Provides opportunities for
higher order thinking.
Opportunities for
networking
Increases student
retention and limits
anxiety
Permits opportunities to
connect content to “real
life”
Builds self-esteem in
students
Improvement of social
interaction skills,
Creates a sense of
community
Encourages alternative
forms of assessment.
Encourages innovation in
both teaching and student
involvement
Disadvantages of Active Learning
Cost
Not enough time for AL
exercises
Can’t cover as much
material
Requires advanced
planning.
Presenter may be
unfamiliar with delivery
techniques or approaches
Lack of resources
Conclusions
Successful First Year
Beginning second year
New cohort
What we learned
On-going research
? Questions ?