Manta Naturalist Course

SYLLABUS

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOAL

This course is designed for manta tour guides and operators in the marine tourism industry on the Kona Coast of the island of Hawaiʻi. The course will include online learning and two face-to-face class sessions. The goals of the Manta Naturalist course are to expand the students’ basic knowledge of manta rays, create awareness of manta ray research and conservation both locally and globally, and to familiarize students with manta tourism and operator standards in Kona, Hawaiʻi.  Students will develop and deliver an interpretive educational briefing about manta rays.  Ultimately, students will use this naturalist presentation in the workforce when conducting manta rays tours.

 

COURSE LAYOUT

Class Session One:

• Day and Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016

• Time: 9 a.m. to 12 noon

• Location: Hawaiʻi Community College - Pālamanui 

  • 73-4225 Ane Keohokalole Hwy

  • Kailua-Kona, HI  96740 

• Includes: Welcome orientation by instructor and presentations by guest speaker.

 

Class Session Two: 

• Day and Date: Saturday, October 22, 2016

• Time: 9 a.m to 12 noon

• Location: Hawaiʻi Community College - Pālamanui 

  • 73-4225 Ane Keohokalole Hwy

  • Kailua-Kona, HI  96740 

  • Room B-125

• Includes: Manta Naturalist student presentations and evaluations.  Certificates of Completion from Hawaiʻi Community College will be issued to those that meet all course requirements.

 

Online Learning Tools

The online learning tools in the Manta Naturalist Course will include:

• Manta Naturalist Course web site: www.mantanaturalist.com

• Laulima – UH Learning Management System: https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal

• Email

 

 

COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES

 

• Recall basic information about manta rays including a general description, scientific classification, anatomical features, life cycle and behaviors.

 

• Relate the story of Lefty the manta ray and how this relates to the manta identification project on the Kona Coast of Hawaii.

 

• Explain the mission of Manta Pacific Research Foundation and manta protection in the State of Hawaii.

 

• Recognize threats to manta rays especially with the gill raker trade in parts of the world and how CITES is helping to prevent unsustainable manta fishing practices worldwide.

 

• Review the 1993 Manta Encounter Guidelines and 2013 Manta Tour Operator Standards and discuss how these voluntary codes of conduct help to sustain the manta tour industry in Kona, Hawaii.

 

• Prepare and deliver a Manta Naturalist presentation with accurate manta information that will be presented to guests on manta tours.

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COURSE DELIVERABLES AND POINTS

• Post introduction in Laulima discussion board - 10 points

• Post response to classmates introduction post -10 points

• Module One Quiz: 30 points

• Module Two Quiz: 30 points

• Module Three Quiz: 30 points

• Manta Naturalist Presentation: 60 points

• Complete Manta Naturalist Course Evaluation - 30 points

 

CREDIT and SCORING

This a credit/non-credit course through Hawaii Community College, Office of Continuing Education and Training.  To successfully complete this course and receive a Certificate of Completion through Hawaii Community College, students must achieve the following:

 

• Attend both class sessions

• Earn a minimum of 150 out of a possible 200 points

• Score 75% or higher on the three Module quizzes

• Score 75% or higher on the Manta Naturalist Presentation ​

 

SYLLABUS STATEMENT

If you have a disability and related access needs, please contact the KOKUA program (UH Disabled Student Services Office) at 956-7511, KOKUA@hawaii.edu.  Let me know if you need assistance.

 

Hawai‘i Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, status as a covered veteran, national guard, victims of domestic or sexual violence, gender identity and expression, genetic information, citizenship, credit history, and income assignment. For inquiries regarding our nondiscrimination policies, please contact your campus designee, Jason Cifra, VC for Student Affairs, cifra@hawaii.edu.