| Title: |
Wilderness Educators' Evaluation of the Impact Monster Program. Research Paper. |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Hendricks, William W.; Watson, Alan E.; Forest Service (USDA), Fort Collins, CO. Rocky Mountain Research Station. |
| Availability: |
Publications Distribution, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 3825 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524-8597; Tel: 970-498-1719; e-mail: rschneider/rmrs@fs.fed.us. |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
17 |
| Publication Date: |
1999 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Evaluative |
| Descriptors: |
Children; Elementary Education; Environmental Education; Outdoor Education; Program Effectiveness; Program Evaluation; Role Playing; Skits; Wilderness |
| Abstract: |
The Impact Monster is a skit designed to teach minimum impact techniques and used as a wilderness education tool by federal land management agencies. During the skit, which features role playing by the audience, an "impact monster" demonstrates inappropriate behavior in a wilderness area and a "good guy" corrects the behavior. The skit is part of a K-8 curriculum to teach land ethics and Leave-No-Trace behaviors, but is often used independently in other wilderness education programs with various age groups. An evaluation survey was completed by 55 employees of the Forest Service and other federal land management agencies. Results indicate that the Impact Monster remains a widely used wilderness education tool, rated good to excellent by most respondents. Using a figure clothed in bright colors as the Impact Monster was considered an effective program element. Students in grades 3-6 were considered the most appropriate recipients of the program. Problems experienced included children fearing the gun used in the skit, wilderness educators burning out on presenting the program, and students in grades 6-12 identifying too strongly with the Impact Monster. Frequent suggestions for program improvement included avoiding stereotypes, being sensitive to cultural differences, acquiring props, emphasizing positive behavior, maintaining program flexibility, and developing evaluation methods. Proposed behavioral objectives should focus on Leave-No-Trace principles. (Contains 10 data tables.) (SV) |
| Entry Date: |
2001 |
| Accession Number: |
ED443647 |
| Database: |
ERIC |