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A Course about the Application of
Ecological Principles in Conservation & Restoration |
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General Description |
Science
gives us a way of learning generalizations about management.
Management involves specific efforts to create a desired outcome,
such as regenerating a grassland community that has become a desert
with little vegetation. Experience and adjusting the ecosystem processes
appropriately
guide management. All "management" is about unique situations
(no replication) and
monitoring present conditions. The dynamics of observed conditions
suggests how we react to guide the system modifications. Think of automobile
design as "science" and driving the automobile as "management." You
do not need to be an engineer to drive, but you must understand
certain characteristics that fit the potential capabilities of the car.
Are they appropriate for the present situation
and car's function at a given time and place? Will your actions
likely achieve the desired change? Success requires keen relevant
observations, interpretations of options for guiding the process of
travel, and a knowledge of what is required to arrive at the
destination.
While you learn about management, you also learn to "manage
yourself" and what you need to know. Each person begins with
different knowledge and experience. During the class, you
will increase this base in different ways. Instead of "standard"
exams, you will be graded by a record of your learning and
"self-management" of your time and effort. You will keep
a learning record of your experiences and prepare a summary of what
you have learned with the description of your learning process. You
are required to keep a detailed and accurate description of your
learning that will form the basis of your grade. There are no formal
exams, only performance and results produce your grade by your
documentation of the "trip" during the course. This self
awareness and self management is a feature of life-long learning and
effectiveness. Typically, students continue this process long after
they "finish" this class and have careers involving management of
natural resources. |
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Class Expectations |
You are expected to conduct yourself as a
professional manager. You are expected to
attend each class and field trip planned for the course, whether it
is for your team project, or for a general class function. An effort
will be made to accommodate other commitments to other classes
but work with the instructor, your TA and your team to "juggle"
schedules as needed. Adjust work and personal activities so that the class has
first priority. If this is not possible for an exceptional
situation, you must discuss the situation with the instructor or
TA.
Punctuality and attention to
learning are top priorities in professional behavior. You will
record how you learn and improve your performance in the class as part
of your Learning Record. You also are expected to have your class
activities and records up-to-date and ready for review on a
weekly basis. You will be
called on from time to time in class to report on your learning
progress You will turn it in for a quick review with a 24 hour
notice. This requires that your records are updated quickly and
thereby a few minutes should be allocated for updating your LR.
Photos are
helpful documentation for many of your activities and learning
activities. You are encouraged to use a digital camera, and you can
share images with your team mates. Take time each day to think about
what you have learned that relates to
the Course Strands (content categories) and record them as outlined
in the instructions. Summarize your learning, document it
and at least weekly check to insure that the record is
current. Remember that "learning"
does not mean you "get it right the first time." You are encouraged to record the
results of repeated effort to improve your
skill and understanding. |
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Evaluations |
Weekly
summaries of your learning
simplifies the evaluation of your progress.
Detail and timeliness is essential
for your grade and credit. This record forms a rich basis for any
accomplishments derived from this class. Your Learning Record is a highly credible and detailed
foundation for recommendations. Specific features
and procedures will be explained in class. |
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