A Program Planning Guidebook and CD for Organizers, Presenters, Teachers and Volunteers

Nathan J. Meyer, Dr. Robert B. Blair, Dr. Stephan P. Carlson, John P. Bilotta, Kent L. Montgomery, Karen M. Ostlie, Valerie J. Prax, Amy R. B. Rager

Note: This is a Web Sampler. More information and how to order is available here.

Guidebook Table of Contents expand all +

Introduction to Best Practices for Field Days
- Field Days as Environmental Education
- Expanding Field Days
- What the Research Says about Field Days
  - Do Students Learn Anything On Field Trips?
  - What Factors Improve Learning?
  - Measuring Program Impact
  - Recommendations for Field Days
  - Research-based Recommendations for Field Days
- How to Use the Guidelines to Plan Field Days
- Reference
Best Practice: Integrate Marketing into Your Planning Process
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Adult Volunteers
- Working Together
- Practical Tips
  - For Marketing your Event
  - For your Promotional Materials
- Direct Marketing Process
- Publication Design Considerations
  - Lead Time
  - Print/Photocopy
  - Format
  - Layout
  - Written Material
  - Photos
- References
Best Practice: Structure Your Field Day around a Single Theme
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Adult Volunteers
- Working Together
- Practical Tips
- Theme Planning Process
- Theme Guidelines
- Building Your Theme from Education Standards
- Begin with Clear Learning Objectives
- Bloom’s Taxonomy of Education Objectives
- References
Best Practice: Assess Your Audience before the Event
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Adult Volunteers
- Working Together
- Practical Tips
- Ages and Stages of Child and Youth Development
  - Ages 6 to 8 Characteristics
  - Ages 9 to 11 Characteristics
  - Ages 12 to 14 Characteristics
  - Ages 15 to 19 Characteristics
- Adult Learners
- Multiple Intelligences
  - Linguistic
  - Logical
  - Visual/Spatial
  - Musical
  - Kinesthetic
  - Interpersonal
  - Intrapersonal
  - Naturalist
- Gender Development Differences
  - Ethical Differences
  - Female Metaphor of Silence
  - Male Developmental Differences
- Cultural Characteristics
  - Black Americans
  - American Indians
  - Anglo or European Americans
  - Asian Americans
  - Hispanic Americans
- Planning for Participants with Special Needs
  - Guidelines for Some General Needs You Might Encounter
- Comparison of Different Diets
- References
Best Practice: Plan Your Setting for Effective Education
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Adult Volunteers
  - Working Together
  - Practical Tips
  - Nature Fears and Discomforts
- Risk Management
- References
Best Practice: Use Experiential Teaching Methods
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Adult Volunteers
  - Working Together
  - Practical Tips
  - Experiential Learning Model
- Effective Education Methods
- Preparing to Teach
  - Build a Lesson Plan
  - Be Flexible
  - Use Accurate Information
  - Practice Makes Perfect
- Field Day Activities
  - Case Studies
  - Costumes
  - Games and Competitions
  - Live Animal Presentations
  - Storytelling
  - Overheads, PowerPoint Presentations, Videos and Other Visuals
- Quality Teaching
- References
Best Practice: Develop and Implement Program Evaluation Methods
- Background
- What the Experts Say
- Implications for Players
  - Organizers
  - Presenters
  - Teachers
  - Volunteers
  - Working Together
- Practical Tips
- Developing Evaluation Focus Questions
- Evaluation Methods
  - Personal Interviews
  - Focus Groups
  - Observations
  - One-shot Survey
  - Pre/Post Survey
  - Written Statements
  - Authentic Assessments
- Tips for Creating Survey Questions
- References
Organizational Resources
- Possible Field Day Topics
- Possible Field Day Presenters
- Creative Budgeting
- Event Checklist
Summary

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