Field Schools in ORTM

 

Experiential learning is an important component of the ORTM Program.  Many ORTM courses have field trips, but students in both degrees are required to take the extended ORTM 333-3 (Field School) course.  The ORTM Program also offers ORTM 332-3 (Outdoor Education and Leadership) and ORTM 433-1-6 (Field School II), which are optional experiential courses open to all students.  The ORTM 333-3 course is designed to allow for skill building and development, critical thinking around how theory and practice relate, and simply getting out into the field for an extended period. Beyond these broader goals, the specific focus of academic content in ORTM 333 varies from year to year dependent on student and faculty needs and interests and the opportunities that are associated with the field trip location.

 

ORTM 333 is intended to provide a ‘guided’ link between academic and practical knowledge. The instructor guides students before, during and after the field experience to ensure the incorporation of both academic and practical skills/knowledge. In addition, the course provides  value both  to the students and ORTM Program in helping to create a sense of community and shared experience between our students (and faculty).

 

A few points about our field schools:

1. They are almost entirely run in the May-August semester, most often in spring (end of April beginning of May) or end of summer (August), which links well to the regular classroom semesters.
2. The field location will generally change from year to year.  If it’s on Haida Gwaii one year, it may be in Jasper the next, and Mexico the year after that.
   
3. There is a course fee, above and beyond tuition, which covers associated costs such as transportation, accommodation, activities, etc.  We try to keep this fee as low as possible, but the realities are that it is usually around $1500-$2000.  Fees are largely dependent on location and activities, so the field school fees also tend to change every year.    
4. ORTM 333-3 is a 3 credit field school course, but at times may be offered in combination with other ORTM courses (e.g., ORTM 332, ORTM 433, ORTM 498) or others at UNBC outside the discipline (e.g.,  GEOG, ANTH, NORS). 
   

 

We recognize that because of costs, location, or timing the ORTM 333-3 in any particular year may not suit the ability, interest, or desire of our students.  We STRONGLY encourage students to take their ORTM 333-3 in the summer semester of their 2^nd or 3^rd year, but if neither year is feasible we have some simple substitution rules:

1. You as the student need to take responsibility for getting your substitution approved, and in plenty of time.  At the very least you need to take care of this in the January semester of the year you intend to graduate (e.g., January 2012 for a May 2012 graduation).   
   
2. All discussions regarding substitution need to be initiated with the ORTM Program curriculum chair (a rotating position amongst the 4 core faculty: for 2012/2013 this is Pam Wright).  The curriculum chair will then initiate any further discussion with other ORTM faculty, or other UNBC departments. 
   
3. The substitute course must be taught in the field - almost completely, but some classroom time is acceptable in terms of preparation classes, a week in class before the extended field component, etc.  A course with simply many field trips is not an appropriate substitution;   
   
4. The substitute course must be at least 10 days in length, in the field.  This is the standard length we operate with for ORTM 333 and that equates to 3 credits at UNBC.   
   
5. The substitute course must be from an accredited academic institution - university or college - so that there is credit to be transferred to UNBC.   
   
6. The substitute course must focus on one of the areas of ORTM, including areas such as: outdoor recreation, tourism, parks and conservation, outdoor education, etc. There is leeway here, but an appropriate case must be made by the student.  
   

 

The following examples illustrate courses that could fulfill the substitution rules. These are simply examples and a student will need to make all arrangements with the desired substitution programs

 

From the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta: http://www.augustana.ualberta.ca/programs/lab/outdoor/dogsledding/   http://www.augustana.ualberta.ca/programs/lab/outdoor/arctic_course/  

 

From the Vancouver Island University Department of Recreation and Tourism http://www.trip-project.ca/reaching-out.php?id=et  

 

From Thompson Rivers University:

http://www.tru.ca/tourism/adventurestudies/adventurestudiesinthebacheloroftourismmanagementdegree/btminternationalfieldtrip.html   http://www.tru.ca/fieldstudies/belize.html

 

Personal excursions or adventures while a valuable part of your own development and enjoyment do not meet these tests.

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ORTM 440 - Internship Guidelines

 

Why do an internship?
Internships provide a great opportunity for you to build and develop practical skills; to get experience in the workplace and within the industry; to make contacts for potential future employment; to receive on-the-job training; and to make the link between academic studies and practical skills and experiences.  

 

Who is eligible?

 The ORTM program encourages all students to think about pursuing an internship in their third and fourth year.  Please note, however, that not every student will be able to pursue an internship. The student needs to have the right combination of skills, independence and reliability to serve as a good ambassador for the ORTM program. An intern placement ‘employer’ needs to have a project of a mixed practical/academic nature and be willing to work with the student. A faculty member needs to have expertise in the chosen topic and be willing to supervise the internship based upon the time required – this is done as voluntary teaching overload. Thus, supervising internships is also at the discretion of the individual ORTM faculty member.  

 

How long is an internship – and how many credits does it get?

 Internships typically run for a semester and may occur during a regular semester or during the summer. Variable credit (from 1-6 credits) is available for internships, but normally a one-semester equivalent internship would result in 3 credit hours.  

 

What do I do for my internship?

 The student will either work on a single project or a series of projects related to ORTM that the employer believes to be suitable for student involvement and which the student is able to complete in the chosen timeframe. Internships may be linked to an existing job held by the student, but will require additional assignments beyond their regular job duties. Otherwise, the internship may be a unique partnership between an employer, ORTM and the student.  

 

So is an internship the same as my summer job?

No. An internship is not identical to a summer job. An internship is a specific opportunity to award you academic credit for developing, practicing and demonstrating the link between academics and practical skills. The deliverables developed with your workplace and academic supervisor will go beyond your regular job duties.    

 

The two typical ‘models’ for internships

 Building from the notes above, there are typically 2 models of internship that students pursue:  

 

Independent Internship

• not usually linked to paid employment
• usually within one academic term
• deliverables associated with specific tasks at workplace
  

Internship-Job Combination

• linked to employment
• typically paid
• often during the summer
• deliverables go beyond employment tasks and employment hours
  

Note that in both situations a 3 credit hour internship is equivalent to a minimum of 39 hours of work on deliverables. Please remember for internship-job combinations this is 39 hours of deliverable work beyond your regular job tasks.

 

Relationship to other types of classes?

 In addition to internships (ORTM 440) there are also opportunities for independent study (ORTM 499) and special topics (ORTM 498). Independent studies are also student-led customized learning opportunities but are more focused on academic content (e.g., allowing you to pursue a topic we have not covered in classes – or perhaps just briefly touched on). Special topics classes are essentially independent studies classes where there is a group of students (usually a minimum of 3) who want to study the same thing. Do note, however, that most of the guidelines outlined in this document (particularly with respect to the process) are equally applicable to independent study and special topics classes.  

 

How can I use credit for my internship?

The credit you get for your internship can be used either as a straight elective class or to fulfill your upper level ORTM class requirements in the category of ‘x credits from the following list of ORTM classes’. 

Who initiates the internship?

 An internship can be initiated by the student (you may bring an idea to an ORTM faculty member), by an employer/partner (e.g., an approach by Tourism Prince George), or by a faculty member.  

 

Are internships paid?
Internships in most organizations are typically not paid, or are paid at a nominal rate; however, if you are building an internship on top of an existing job, you may earn a salary. Please note that some employers will advertise for interns with specific expectations of it being an unpaid position (but there can be other benefits included such as expenses, housing, certifications, etc.). Internships may also be held with not-for-profit organizations: please consider the opportunities that environmental, conservation, youth sport, recreation, and other organizations might provide you to build your skills.

 

What needs to be done to start an internship?

 At the start of the internship, an organizational/workplace supervisor and an academic advisor will work with the student to develop a course syllabus and/or contract that will define the terms of the project and grading. The finished report(s) or project(s) are graded by the academic supervisor and possibly the work supervisor. As an internship is an independent study opportunity, it’s up to you as the student to initiate and follow thru on most of these requirements. Please see the attached sample syllabi and internship contract. The student should prepare a draft of similar documents for your workplace supervisor and for your ORTM supervisor. Once these are agreed upon you will need to register for ORTM 440 with an add/drop form to which your supervisor will attach a copy of the syllabus.    

Sample Internship Syllabi

 

University of Northern British Columbia

 ORTM 440- 3 Recreation and Trail Planning

 July 3, 2007-September 28, 2007  

 

Instructor: Dr. Pamela Wright

 Office: New Lab Building Room 8-334

 Tel: (250)-960-6353      Email: pwright@unbc.ca  

 

Intern Host: XXXXXX

 Provincial Manager, Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts Recreation Sites and Trails Branch

 Email:               Tel:

 

Course Description

 This internship course is designed to provide the student with an intern opportunity to study the establishment and management of tourism development, specific to recreation sites and trails. This internship will provide an overview of the theory, techniques, and development involved in the management of public recreation and tourism opportunities at a provincial level.

 

Content Themes

Internship discussions and tasks will cover a number of thematic areas:

• recreation site and trail management approaches 
• management policy development and revision 
• outdoor recreation tourism management tools 
• innovative development of management practices and policies 
• issues and conflicts regarding public recreation management and crown land use.  

 

The student will work at the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts office on a full-time weekly basis on a schedule mutually agreed upon with XXXX from MTSA.

 

Internship Assignments

 

Sample Internship Syllabi

 

ORTM 440: Internship – Yukon Tourism & Culture

May-August 2010 - Prince George/Beaver Creek

UNBC - ORTM Program Supervisor: Pat Maher

 

Yukon Tourism & Culture Supervisor: XXXXXXX

 

Student: XXXXXXXX

Course Description:

 General information on ORTM Program internships can be found at XXXXXXXXXXXXX. This specific internship will explore tourism and culture linkages during a summer of employment at the Beaver Creek Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Beaver Creek, Yukon. As the student is already employed at the Beaver Creek VIC, the main focus of the internship will be relating this practical experience to more academic or expanded practical tasks beyond the normal employment. This course will blend theory and practice; with the student engaged in academic tasks that compliment her practical employment.  The course includes predominantly self-directed learning, with immediate supervision from Yukon Tourism & Culture.  

 

Course Deliverables:

 The student (in consultation with both the UNBC and Yukon Tourism & Culture supervisors) has decided upon that following deliverables for this internship:

 

 

  Course Evaluation:

 Evaluation for this course will be based on the above deliverables to be assessed by both the industry and academic supervisors.  All deliverable will be marked out of the appropriate percentages.  As per general UNBC policy, the grading scale to be used at the end of this class is as follows:

 

 

Sample Internship Contract

 

ORTM 440-3: Specific Title of Course

 Student name

 Date  

 

Terms of Reference

 ‘X’ will take the internship course ORTM 440 as an elective course.  The work placement aspect of the course will be undertaken at BC Parks District Office in Prince George, with ‘Y’ acting as the Work Placement Supervisor.  ‘Z’ will serve as the Academic Advisor. Approximately eight hours per week (normally each Friday) will be spent at the *** office in Prince George. This will be a three credit course. 

1. After discussions with the work placement supervisor, it has been decided that a suitable project for the student would be to research and write a guide for commercial operators in *** Provincial Park. This project would include but is not limited to the following deliverables:Deliverable #1 
2. Deliverable #2 
3. Deliverable #3

 

The internship will begin January 4 and terminate by approximately April 30, 2011.  The end date may change based upon work-related issues or other external difficulties in completing the course.  

 

Regular meeting between the three participants will be scheduled throughout the internship period. The number of meetings per month will vary, and may range from weekly to monthly meetings. The need for and number of meetings will be mutually agreed upon by all participants. Notwithstanding these scheduled meetings, if an issue that significantly affects this project arises, then the person responding to this issue should contact the other team members and deal with the issue as quickly as possible. 

 

Evaluation

There are three evaluative components to the course.  The completion of a report on the issue noted above will be evaluated by the Academic Supervisor with input from the Work Placement Supervisor, and will comprise 80% of the total grade. This report will provide an academic overview of the topic, a review of existing guides (e.g., topics covered and information provided), information relating to the region and park that relates to commercial activity in the park, and contain a draft ‘guide’ for commercial operators. The exact content of the report will be mutually agreed upon by all team members by approximately Jan. 30, 2011. 

 

Ten percent of the total grade will consist of a ‘work experience journal’, in which the student will keep weekly personal observations of their experiences in working at ***. This assignment will be graded by the Academic Supervisor. The remaining 10% of the course mark will be based on an evaluation of the student’s performance by the Work Placement Supervisor, using the *** evaluation form.

 

_________________________                              ___________________________
Student signature                                                        Academic Supervisor signature      

 

_________________________

Work Supervisor signature                                           DATE

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Skills, Certifications and Credentials ~ What are they and why do you need them! 

 

The Trailhead -- ORTM Program Newsletter for Students

Volume 3 - Spring 2008

Volume 2 - Winter 2008 

Volume 1 - Fall 2007 

Funding Opportunities

 

ORTM Style Guide - A resource for writing papers to faculty standards

 

ORTM Internships - Download the brochure here

 

ORTM Student Projects - See examples of some interesting student projects