Preparing
and Presenting an Effective Conducted Activity (Module
210) (revised 9-2011)
What
you will submit:
A
videotape recording or DVD** (see important warning below) of a complete conducted activity
(walk, tour, hike, or other program in which the audience
moves between several stops and/or activities), performed
in a park setting with a real visitor audience.
Before
preparing your submission, it is to your advantage to
review the Module 210 curriculum and certification standard.
Key
submission points:
An effective conducted activity will facilitate experiences in and with the resource (resource immersion), rather than just using the resource as a “backdrop” for an interpretive talk. A key to success is when you are able to make the physical resources at each stop the center of focus for audience attention, rather than yourself.
An effective conducted activity will involve physical movement and/or activity that facilitates resource immersion and access to resource meanings.
An effective conducted activity will provide a purposeful sequence of directed experiences and meaningful transitions to provide continuity of thought and build cohesive development toward an overarching relevant idea or ideas.
The obligation for accuracy, topic choice and appropriateness, delivery mechanics, etc., remain the responsibility of you and your supervisor, and are not measured in his review.
A self-assessment worksheet is available for this module -- it is recommended that you review this worksheet before you submit.
Preparing
your submission:
1)
For this competency, you will submit a conducted activity
recorded on or copied to VHS videotapes or DVD discs,
preferably between fifteen and sixty minutes in
length. Please omit long periods of movement
between stops on the conducted activity. 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 program.
Please indicate the exact length of your program on
the tape or disc labels.
2)
The program should be performed in a park setting
with a "real" visitor audience. Please submit a program
that was intentionally designed/prepared as a conducted
activity. (A portion of some other presentation, such
as an education program, will likely not certify unless
it clearly functions as a conducted activity.)
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 conducted activity
on VHS tapes or DVDs. The tapes or discs you submit
must have clear, discernable audio. Record and
duplicate your tapes or discs at normal speed. Although
the video should focus primarily on the interpreter,
it is helpful if it can also show members of the group
interacting among themselves, with the resource, and
with the interpreter. Any view of the resources being
interpreted that helps a certifier understand the
message is welcomed, but not necessary.
**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
recording. For additional tips on preparing a video,
see the attached "TIPS,"
prepared by Tom Davies, NERO.
6)
Be aware that some states prohibit the taping of minors.
If this is the case where you work, do not include
video of the group, simply submit a one paragraph
description of the audience, and note the legal restriction
on the tape.
7)
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).
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. If not possible, 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 conducted activities.
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.