Brandywine Zoo Online Learning Academy
The Brandywine Zoo has access to the San Diego Zoo's Global Academy, an online learning academy for zoos and aquariums.
This online learning platform features a wealth of online training tools all relevant to zoos, animal care, volunteering, education and interpretation.
For directions on how to sign up for a user account and navigate the online learning academy, download this document.
This online learning platform features a wealth of online training tools all relevant to zoos, animal care, volunteering, education and interpretation.
For directions on how to sign up for a user account and navigate the online learning academy, download this document.
Courses for Volunteers
All Volunteer Introductory CoursesSeries One: Required Courses
Add the following courses to your catalog and take these required courses in your first 30 days. All volunteers are required to take these courses. Interpretation Interpretation Basics: Module 1 COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours For guides, rangers, docents, naturalists, and interpreters. Whatever your job title, Interpretation Module 1 will show you how to apply the interpretive techniques that are most effective for each member of your audience. Interpretation Basics: Module 2 COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours Interpretation Basics: Module II explores the artistic side of interpretation—the development steps and creative delivery techniques that make interpretive tours, presentations, and visitor interactions relevant, meaningful, and fun. Interpretation Basics Module 3: Storytelling COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours Powerful stories are the heart of interpretation. The skills presented in this course will help you select, develop, and deliver message-driven stories that are compelling, enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable. Human Resources Customer Service Skills COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours This course helps participants develop customer service skills to provide high quality customer service and solve customer service problems. Customer Service Fundamentals COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours This course teaches participants how to understand customer types and about the importance of customer service. It instructs how to build rapport and communicate with customers, including responding to customers and exceeding their expectations. |
Series Two: Optional Recommended Courses
The following courses are optional, but recommended. Take these courses at your leisure. Worms, Germs and You (Introduction to Zoonotic Disease) COURSE LENGTH: 30 min Worms, Germs, and You is an introductory course to the basic principles of zoonotic disease education and disease prevention. You will learn about some basic disease biology and terminology, as well as a variety of prevention techniques to be applied at work and at home. Introduction to Enrichment COURSE LENGTH: 1–2 hours The class establishes the components of an enrichment program, the approval process, and questions that should be considered before the provision of any enrichment. Ethics COURSE LENGTH: 1–2 hours This course is designed to help animal care workers and others to better understand the role of ethics in their daily professional activity. Animal Welfare COURSE LENGTH: 1–2 hours Students will learn the basics of animal welfare as a science, including its definition, some of the history of animal welfare law, and the significant differences between animal welfare and animal rights. Ending Extinction Basics: Module 1 COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours Participants will discover what defines extinction, the causes of extinction, and why species become vulnerable to extinction, as well as learn about conservation strategies that can help slow and, it is hoped, stop the extinction crisis. Seven Secrets to Effective Public Speaking COURSE LENGTH: 1 hour Need to give a presentation, update or briefing? Whether you present to 5, 50, or 500 – and for 5 minutes or 50 minutes - you will be able to apply these skills. This session offers easy-to-use strategies and techniques! Animal Species This series will provide an introduction to a variety of taxonomic groups and individual species, including an overview of physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, reproduction, and conservation efforts. Birds COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours Cats COURSE LENGTH: 1 hour Tiger COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours Mammals COURSE LENGTH: 2 hours |
