Extension Wildlife & Fisheries Specialists Conferences
Date of this Version
6-1-1996
Abstract
4-H multimedia school enrichment modules offer excellent wildlife educational opportunities for elementary students as we near the 21st century. Modules consisting of hands-on displays, interactive computer programs, videos, lesson plan activities, and pre/post-test components serve to reinforce information relative to topical issues in the wildlife arena. In Texas, modules have been developed entitled "The White-tailed Deer," "Wildlife Success Stories and Endangered Species," and "Something's Fishy." These modules and their duplicates are used as components of county 4-H programs and serve to deliver wildlife information to an ethnically and socio-economically diverse audience of third and fourth graders. Teacher committees are instrumental in developing and approving module content. Developmental and funding support for these modules and their duplicates has come from a wide variety of state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations. Pre- and post-test methodology has indicated an approximate 50% increase in knowledge gained as a result of student exposure to these modules. Data collection/analyses/interpretation has provided a high degree of accountability documenting program successes. Results are published in county result demonstration handbooks and provided to sponsors in the form of annual reports. On-going efforts are being made to expand module availability within Texas as well as nationwide.
Comments
Published in W. Daniel Edge, ed. Proceedings of the 8th National Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Specialists Workshop: Educational Challenges for the 21st Century. [1996] Corvallis, Oregon: Oregon State University, 1998.