Module
270: Present
an Effective Curriculum-based Program
Competency
description:
Requires the interpeter to be able to effectively present
a curriculum-based program to an organized group that
has a structured plan for learning. By connecting the
group's learning objectives to the meanings/significance
of park resources, the program helps the group meet
its learning objectives and the park meet its primary
mission of resource preservation. The program facilitates
opportunities for the audience to make their own intellectual
and emotional connections to the meanings/significance
of the resource, through the cohesive development of
a relevant idea or ideas.
What
you will submit: A
videotape recording or DVD** (see important warning below), with completed Supplemental
Questionnaire, of a curriculum-based program presented
by the submitter to an organized group whose learning
objectives are based on a structured plan for learning.
Before
preparing your submission, it is to your advantage to
review the Module 270 curriculum and certification standard.
Key
submission points:
Your
curriculum-based program may involve a children's
group, an organized youth group, an organized adult
education group, or ANY group that has specific,
pre-planned educational objectives, based on a structured
plan for learning, and clear learning outcomes
in mind when coming to your site.
A
completed Supplemental
Questionnaire must accompany your videotapes.
In the questionnaire, clearly identify how your program
was curriculum-based. When listing the group's educational
objectives, list only those that you attempted to
address in the video program (not those that are addressed
in other parts of the larger education program). When
applicable, indicate how the program is curriculum-based
by citing the links to state, district or local curriculum
objectives or standards.
In
order to be truly curriculum-based, the objectives
you list should involve specific, measurable learning
outcomes, rather than broad topic/subject areas or
park program goals. It is your responsibility to identify,
clarify and address the group's learning objectives,
even when presenting existing park education programs
that were developed by others.
Any program, no matter how well presented, that
does not clearly connect the meanings of
park resources to the group's specific learning objectives
identified in the Supplemental Questionnaire, will
not meet the certification standards.
The
obligation for accuracy, topic choice and appropriateness,
delivery mechanics, etc., remain the responsibility
of you and your supervisor, and are not measured in
this review.
Preparing
your submission:
1)
For this competency, you will submit a curriculum-based
program recorded on or copied to VHS video tapes or
DVDs, with completed Supplemental
Questionnaire. It is not necessary to include
warm-up orientation or question/answer portions of
a program unless their content is somehow pertinent
to the interpretive focus of your presentation. If
at all possible, choose a program to submit that is
between twenty and sixty minutes in length.
Please indicate the exact length of your program on
the tape labels. See a suggested outline
for an approach to preparing your 270 submission.
(View a Sample Questionnaire)
2)
The program should be presented in a park setting
with a "real" learner/student audience. Off-site programs
that interpret park resources are also appropriate.
Please submit a program that was intentionally prepared
as a curriculum-based program.
3)
Since each competency has unique characteristics that
are important to demonstrate, it is not
to your advantage to submit the same program for more
than one competency. Therefore, please do not submit
the same program for more than one competency without
prior approval by the Certification Program Manager
or Training Manager.
4)
Submit three copies* of the program on VHS
tapes or DVDs, along with one copy of the completed
Supplemental Questionnaire. The tapes or discs
you submit must have clear, discernable audio,
and primarily focus on the interpreter. Record and
duplicate your tapes at normal speed. If possible,
the audience should be shown in context at least once
during the program -- group size does not matter.
Any view of the resources being interpreted that helps
a certifier understand the message is welcomed, but
not necessary.
Note: Some states and/or organized groups have
restrictions for videotaping minors. Be aware of local
restrictions or check with the group leader in advance
to obtain any necessary permission(s).
**Important guidelines for DVD submissions: We have experienced many problems with submissions on DVD -- the only media playback software that is standard on all government computers is Windows Media Player. Therefore, all DVD submissions must be able to play in Windows Media Player in order to ensure that the certifiers can view the DVD. Please convert your program to play in Windows Media Player as the default. Please check all three copies of your DVD submission to make sure the audio and video play all the way through in Windows Media Player. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in your submission being returned to you without being reviewed.
5)
If at all possible, use a lapel microphone
and mount the camera on a tripod when making your
tape. For additional tips on preparing a video, see
the attached "TIPS,"
prepared by Tom Davies, NERO.
6)
Complete and submit one copy of the attached "Product
Submission Registration Form" with your submission.
(Download in a Word format
(43KB) or a PDF format
(36KB).
7)
It is not necessary to send/attach program materials,
such as teacher guides, student activity handouts,
etc, as these will not be considered in the review.
Your description of the sequence of learning activities
on the Supplemental Questionnaire is sufficient to
provide program context for the reviewers.
When
reviewing the video, certifiers will assume good faith
effort, and that accuracy and authenticity of the
program have been verified at the park level.
*It
expedites the process if you can submit three copies
of your tape or disc. If not possible to submit three
VHS tapes, be sure to keep one copy for yourself and
submit at least one tape for review. If
you are submitting on DVDs, you must submit three copies
of the discs.
Where
to submit:
Once
you have reviewed your project with your supervisor
and agreed that it is ready to submit, send to:
Certification
Program Manager, Interpretation
Mather Training Center
P.O. Box 77
Fillmore St. and Storer College Place
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Attn:
Product submission
You can request a "delivery confirmation"
from the post office. Leave your videos in their protective
boxes or cases, and pack them carefully. All videos
will be returned. Keep the original video yourself,
in case something happens to the package in transit.
NOTE:
Certification in this competency serves the overall
development of employees in Ranger Careers positions,
and meets the NPS national standard for presenting curriculum-based
programs. Certification in this competency is a
point-in-time assessment only. Long-term performance
is measured at the park level. Eligibility for promotion
is determined by the supervisor and park. Learn more
about the peer review
process.
Suggested
outline for preparing a submission:
Identify/review
learning objectives of the organized group and how
they relate to the meanings and significance inherent
in the resource(s)
Review
the group’s preparation and follow-up learning
experiences (sequence of learning)
Prepare
the supplemental questionnaire (required)
Prepare
program; plan for variety of learning styles
Present
and tape presentation
Review
against the rubric guidelines and self-assess
Copy
and send tapes with supplemental questionnaire
Certification
Program Manager, Interpretation