Lesson Structure:  Ecotourism Tour Guide Course BTR301

There are 10 lessons:

1  Ecotourism Basics

• What is Ecotourism
• What is Negative Ecotourism?
• Education and Ecotourism
• Ecoutourist: A Profile
• Administrative Concerns: Value for Money, Permits, Public Liability Insurance
• Controlling participants in ecotour activities
• Guidelines for Wilderness Safety: Dos and Don’ts
• Water Activities
• Wild Animals
• Exposure to Weather and Natural Forces
• Interptretive Collection
• Plants
• Animal/Bird/Insect Sampling Options
• Some Different Ways You Might Find Specimins
• Collection Sheet Example

2  Interpretation Services in Ecotourism 

• Interpretation as a Key Element of Ecotourism
• Techniques of Interpretation in Parks: Personal Services, Non-Personal Services, Factors Influencing the Type of Interpretative Technique
• Sign Design: 1 Administrative Signs 2 Interpretive Signs
• Advantages of Signs
• Disadvantages of Signs
• Good Presentation Skills
• Terminology
• Clarification
• Topics and Themes
• Researching Material
• How to Remember Your Material
• Involving Your Audience
• Where Do You Go?
• Accessibility
• Routes
• What Makes a Good Route?
• What Makes a Good Stopping Point?
• How Far and How Long?
• Safety and Comfort
• Making Walk Accessible to All
• Walks for the Visually Impaired
• Environmental Trails: Why Trailing?

3  Ecology and Conservation

• Ecology: Commonly Used Terms
• The Ecosystem
• Ecological Concepts
• The Web of Life
• Habitat and Niche
• Humans in the Environment
• Land Environments
• Types of Plant Associations
• Examples of Plant Associations
• Conservation
• The Goals of Conservation
• Natural Resources
• Renewable Resources
• Non-renewable Resources

4  Plant and Animal Classification and Identification

• Classification of Organisms
• Classification of Animals
• Classification of Plants
• Viruses – The Odd One Out?
• Using Keys to Identify Organisms
• An Easy Key to Plant Groups
• Key to Lamiaceae
• Other Ways of Identifying
• Set Reading
• Animal Case Study: study animals relative to your country; for example, in Australia an Ecotourism case study would include  Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emus etc.

5  Geology/Geomorphology

• Introduction
• Tourism and Geology
• The Basics of Continental Drift
• Glaciers
• Earthquakes
• Earthquake Occurrence
• Volcanoes: e.g. Krakatoa, Mt St Helens, Mount Vesuvius, Mount Fuji
• Geology Basics: Minerals and Rocks, Classification of the Main Rock Forming Minerals
• Types of Rock: Igneous rocks, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
• Weathering and Erosion
• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering
• Soils: Factors Affecting Soil Development, Parent Material, Time, Climate, Life forms, Slope, Soil Profile, Soil Classification and Description

6  Interpreting Aquatic Environments

• Marine Environments
• Freshwater Environments
• Fish
• Shells
• Crustaceans
• Aquatic Environmnets
• Aquatic Animals
• Sponges
• Corals
• Jellyfish
• Flatworms
• Molluscs
• Insects
• Sea urchins
• Star fish
• Chordates (Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Mammals)
• Aquatic Plants
• Common Aquatic Plants Found in Ponds: Oxygenating Plants, Deep Water Aquatic Plants, Shallow Water Aquatic Plants
• Freshwater Ferns

7 Interpreting Land Environments

• Interpreting Processes
• Forces that might have shaped a local environment: Weathering, Mass Wasting, Erosion, Glaciers, Streams
• Rainforests
• Savannas
• Alpine Environments
• Deserts: Plant and Animal Adaptations to the Desert
• Archaelogical Sites: e.g. Egypt – Abu Simbel, South America – Machu Picchu
• Disaster Zones: e.g. Japan – Hiroshima
• Interpretation and Changing Attitudes
• Communicating Attitudes and Values

8  Planning an Ecotour

• Introduction
• Destination
• Guidelines for Ecotourists
• Safety
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Leadership Concepts For Ecotour Guides
• Qualities of a Professional Recreational Leader
• Leadership Communication
• Leadership Responsibilities
• What is Recreation?
• The Environment: Quality of the Environment, Recreational impacts on the environment

9  Ecotour Displays

• Zoo Design Concepts: Walk Through Enclosure, Open Range Exhibits, Nocturnal and Diurnal Displays, Systematic Theme, Zoogeographic Theme, Bioclimatic Theme
• Other Options

10 Leading an Ecotour 

• Preliminary Research
• Open and Closed Plant Communities
• Semi-natural vegetation
• Dominant Species
• Competition
• Environmental Stress
• Succession of Plant Communities
• Edge effects
• Preliminary Visit
• Assessing Risks
• Advertising
• Initial Preparation of the Tour Group: Preparing For Responsible Behaviour
• Preparing Material
• Types of Audiences
• What You Need to Know About Your Audience
• What Can They Do?
• Why Do They Want to Come?
• When Do You Do It?
• Introductory Talk

Learning Goals:  Ecotourism Tour Guide Course BTR301

• Provide a basic grounding in the administrative matters behind an ecotourism venture, including safety, legal considerations and profitability
• Understand and discuss the importance of interpretive services in ecotourism
• Understand the basics of ecosystem function and conservation
• Become familiar with the basic ways in which plants and animals can be classified and identified
• Identify geological and geomorphological factors of interest to ecotourists
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected aquatic ecotourism activity
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected ecotourism activity in a land environment
• Plan an ecotour
• Develop a display with an ecotourism theme
• Lead an interpretive tour with an ecotourism theme

Practical: Ecotourism Tour Guide Course BTR301

• An ability to analyse the structure of interpretive ecotourism in your country.
• To recognise factors of the environment and their significance to ecotourism.
• To plan an ecotour.
• Create/develop interpretation aids for a selected ecotourism activity.
• Develop a display with an ecotourism theme.
• Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including:
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Shells
  • Other animals
  • Plants
• Lead an interpretive tour with an ecotourism theme.
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected aquatic ecotourism activity.
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected ecotourism activity in a land environment.
• Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including, where appropriate:
  • Fossils
  • Rocks
  • Land formations
  • Soil types
  • Geothermal features

• With each assignment you will be required to prepare identification sheets, containing a preserved specimen, a photograph or a drawing; together with a description of the species/type of organism.
  This collection is designed to be the embryo of a resource which you may use as an ongoing aid when designing and conducting interpretive activities.
• You will research the legal and administrative background required to set up an ecotourism venture in your area. You will also look at the marketing and advertising possibilities for this venture.
• Visit a number of interpretive ecotourism facilities.
• Prepare an interpretive activities sheet for an ecotourism group.
• Visit a natural area and classify organisms sighted in a set time period.
• Identify points of interest in a natural area for an ecotourism group.
• Research the lifecycles of a number of plants and animals.
• Design a range of ecotours for ecotourists interested in various natural phenomena.
• Visit an aquatic environment and make observations on the organisms there and any pollution present.
• Identify potential ecotourism activities for a marine area.
• Develop interpretive techniques for minimal environmental impact.
• Attend an ecotour to assess the quantity and quality of information provided.
• Plan an ecotour including the destination, accommodation, transport, catering.
• Construct an ecotour display.
• Plan and lead an ecotour to a group of ecotourists or acquaintances.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Due to our years of experience and wide range of online courses, here are a list of our FAQs and Answers asked by Students.

General

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, you are not required to purchase expensive text books for any of our courses, since each module has been written by highly qualified tutors and writers, and our courses are updated on a regular basis, adding new information, methods and knowledge. You are supplied with all “essential” references. Extra books are always useful though, especially for special projects. Tutors will advise you what to buy if you decide you would like to have extra reading material, but it is not essential. Check out our eBookstore if you’re looking for a starting point.

Q. What sets the Academy apart from other institutions?
A.  A unique feature of our courses is that we combine knowledge of the subject matter with practical tasks (set tasks, found at the end of each lesson).  So you get to do practical components in each lesson. The benefits of this approach are immense: – your skills and knowledge are developed to a much higher level not normally found at other distance learning institutions.

Q. How do the practical exercises (set tasks) work?
A. The practical component of each lesson can be in the form of : Field Research, Networking and Analysis, Conducting Surveys, Growing, Collecting, Photographing and Processes.

Q. If I do a shorter course first, can I get credits towards a certificate or diploma later?
A. Yes. We will assess previous studies to give you appropriate credits.

Q. Can I pay by instalments?
A. Yes, you can view all available payment options here.

Q. Do I get a discount if two of us enrol together?
A. Yes. You may claim a 5% discount on fees if you both enrol in courses at the same time.

Q. Do I get a discount if I enrol in a second course?
A. Yes. You will be offered a 10% discount on subsequent courses you enrol for.

Q. Can I use more than one discount code when enrolling for my course?
A. No. You can only use one discount code chosen by yourself per course, when more than one is available.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however; have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are there any hidden costs?
A. There are no hidden extras – the tuition fee covers all course material, unlimited tutor support, assignment marking/feedback and any text books where specified and exams. The only extras are for the public examinations fees for the ICB Bookkeeping course and the RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) exams.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are continually updated. The course content is rapidly updated and improved without the red tape and bureaucracy experienced at other educational institutions.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. What Recognition do you have?
A. The Academy for Distance Learning has various forms of recognition:
These include TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) – an Ofqual Awarding Organisation – ADL is an approved TQUK Centre.
IARC – International Approval Registration Centre, approved member.  Accredited Training Provider for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and Approved Distance Learning Provider for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and many more. Our graduates come from many parts of the world and have used our qualifications for successful employment and progression onto higher education. To view our full list  of recognition and memberships please click here,

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at the Academy our students are our priority – we treat every student as a unique individual. This philosophy allows us to nurture those who are “slow and steady” learners rather than letting them fall through the cracks, while catering for those who are in a hurry to complete.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you. You’re under no pressure to finish by a certain deadline.

Q. Completing the course- how long will it take?
A. Completion of  modules varies from student to student.  Many factors come into play  such as work commitments and family life- there are always distractions.  Some students work quicker than others.  For a 100 hour module many students will take up to 3- 6 months,  others take less time and some are even longer. It’s all up to you.  There is no pressure to complete or deadline to finish. Naturally, longer courses will take more time.

Q. What learning formats are there?
A.  Your enrollment comes with the Online Classroom study option by default. For a small additional cost you also have the options of USB or Correspondence.
USB: Your course is sent to you on a USB stick, so that you can carry it in your pocket. Ideal for those with unreliable internet connections. This option is an additional £5/module

Correspondence:  You download the course content and then print your own copy to your requirements. You can then bind the lessons to suit your needs.

Assessments

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a project instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location, or you can visit us in Canterbury, England to sit the exam if want to.  Exam fees are included in the tuition fee you paid. You can read more about the examination process here. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment. You submit it to the academy who then submits it to the tutor for marking, comments and feedback. Our policy is to have a grade for you within 5 to 7 days.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes – If you’re not happy with your work submitted you may re-submit the assignment again.

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons there would be 10 assignments. The number of lessons per module varies from module to module. See the course content from our website for further details.

Q. When do I have to hand in my first assignment?
A. There is no deadline for handing in the first assignment. Submit when you are ready. There are some students who hand in assignments within the first couple of weeks of enrolment – while there are others who submit their work 6 months later. It’s all at your own convenience to suit you. Everyone has different work and home commitments and we cater to these needs.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country; however, there may be an additional expense. We can appoint an appropriately qualified person anywhere to work through curriculum documentation supplied by us, to satisfy the requirements set down in a course.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would receive a Certificate (providing you complete all assignments and the exam). If you just want to complete the assignments only, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications awarded please click here.

Q. Is there a next level to progress to?
A. Yes – you can progress from one module to a combination of many modules and to higher qualifications i.e. Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas. Read more about course levels here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to design your own diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. It’s a very popular option and widely used by many students. You quite simply choose the appropriate number of related modules needed to complete the qualification and submit them to us for approval as a custom diploma.

Q.  What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of a 100-hour Certificate course and providing all assignments and exam have been completed, you will receive a Certificate and Transcript.  The Transcript will list your GPA.  Each 100-hour module is worth 3 credit hours.

Exams

Q. Do I have to sit for an exam?
A. Exams are optional but need to be undertaken in order to receive the Certificate or higher qualification.  Exams are one and a half hours long. You appoint an adjudicator (subject to our approval) to supervise the exam. You sit for the exam in your own location. Its that simple.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. If you feel you don’t cope well with exams you may elect to undertake a Project (set by the tutor) instead of sitting the exam.  Many students prefer this option as they find researching the material for the project sharpens their research skills.

Q. If I don’t sit for the Exam do I still get a qualification?
A. If you don’t sit for the exam but complete the project alternative, you will still receive your endorsed qualification. If you don’t sit for an exam or complete a final project, providing you have completed all the assignments you will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

Q. Do I have to sit for the exam at the Academy? 
A. No – whilst you are more than welcome to come to our location in Canterbury, U.K. and sit the exam in our classroom; the more popular option is to sit for the exam in your own location. You appoint an adjudicator to supervise the exam. Click here for more information on that process.

Q. Are there any exam fees?
A. There are no exam fees.  However, for some public examinations such as the ICB (Bookkeeping) and RHS courses exam fees do apply.  See course content for details.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A.  We only employ tutors who have are currently active in their industry with at least 5 years of real-world experience.  Not only are they highly qualified but also experienced, knowledgeable, and professional- experts in their chosen fields from all parts of the world.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes- you have unlimited access to tutors. We strongly encourage students to develop a dialogue with their Tutor. This is why we encourage students to submit their first assignment fairly quickly at the beginning of the course.
Every Academy student is assigned a tutor who supports you throughout your course and beyond. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning and provides as much or as little individual contact as you would like. When you submit your coursework the tutor will give you feedback that helps you develop your ideas and provides motivation. For those who do like to have interaction with other students, the ADL discussion forum connects you to students from all over the world.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. You have direct contact with your tutor by email through the Online Classroom. Alternatively, you can write, fax, email, or phone the academy. Leave a message if your tutor isn’t available and they will phone, write or fax back; whatever suits you.

Q. If I don’t agree with / like my tutor can I request a change?
A. Yes – we try to accommodate and meet student’s needs and a change of tutor may be arranged.

Q. If I don’t understand a question or a lesson may I contact the tutor?
A. You may contact a tutor as often as you like. There is no additional charge or restriction on this service.  Contact can be made via the Student Zone, email, or by phone.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.