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
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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
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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 ?