Number 9-96 -- 24 September 1996

Approval Authority for Supplemental PE Material

Background

Supplemental educational material includes commercial or locally-produced videos, slides, transparencies, etc., used in support of our public education (PE) courses. Examples of such supplemental educational material could include:

• slides and videotapes of various cloud formations, storms, storm damage, etc. produced by the National Weather Service (NWS),
• slides of various objects of navigational interest (e.g., buoys, range markers, lighthouses, etc.) in the local area taken by Auxiliarists,
• videotapes on such topics as coastal piloting, vessel handling, marine engines, use of marine electronics, etc. produced by commercial firms,
• computer programs which teach NAVRULES or perform tide and tidal current calculations,
• special purpose videotapes (e.g., depicting light characteristics, local waters, locks and dams) produced by local Auxiliary units, and
• other training aids used in courses.

In general, use of supplemental material is encouraged. This material complements our texts and student materials and can significantly enhance the educational experience of our students. Photographs of local aids to navigation, for example, can be a valuable supplement to material presented in the text and facilitate local area familiarization. Videotapes can be particularly effective as teaching/training aids. This said, it is important to review and evaluate these materials to ensure that they are technically accurate, relevant, pedagogically sound, and consistent with the aims and objectives of the Auxiliary. All supplemental material must be approved for use.

Approval Authority

Approval authority for use of these supplemental materials has been fragmented in the past. For example, locally produced training aids have never been formally reviewed, whereas approval of national staff has been required for films, slide sets, and videotapes. In the interests of standardizing and decentralizing the approval process for PE courses, authority for approval of supplemental educational material is delegated to the District Staff Officer for Public Education (DSO-PE). Note that this authorization applies to supplemental education material only, and not to locally-produced PE courses or other primary education material.

National staff will retain the approval authority for primary educational material and can also approve supplemental material if it appears to be of more general interest. DSOs-PE may approve supplemental educational material for use in their district.

Delegation of approval authority for supplemental educational materials is another step in the empowerment of DSOs-PE which reflects the seniority of the position and our continuing confidence in the quality and integrity of the incumbents.

Guidance For DSOs

In deciding whether or not to approve such material, the DSO-PE should use the following general principles:

• Material should be factually correct. This is the "acid test" for approval.
• Material should provide a valuable supplement to that included in our courses and not merely duplicate material already included. However, material of local interest (e.g., photographs of unique local aids to navigation or landmarks) is particularly useful.
• Material should be focused, pertinent, and current. For example, do not include your pictures of last year's cruise unless these pictures clearly illustrate relevant points.
• Material should be able to be presented in short segments and supplement, rather than replace, existing course material. For example, videotapes (or segments thereof) should be brief (less than 10 minutes, for example). Under no circumstances should supplemental material be used in lieu of course materials.
• Material should address topics that are appropriate to the course. Videotapes on celestial navigation, for example, would not be appropriate for inclusion in a course on Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S).
• Material should not contain any product endorsements nor should it disparage any commercial product. If the material contains pictures of particular commercial products, the instructor should explain to the class that these are for illustrative purposes only, and their inclusion does not represent a product endorsement by either the Auxiliary or the United States Coast Guard.
• Material should reflect the standards and teachings of the Auxiliary and its courses. For example, PFDs should be worn if appropriate, persons should not be "bow riding," "wake jumping," or engaging in other unsafe practices. It is unfortunate, for example, that many otherwise suitable videotapes contain scenes depicting unsafe behavior.
• Material should be free of any gender bias and be fully consistent with standards of good taste and other Auxiliary policies.
• If supplemental material includes any depiction of the Auxiliary or its operations, this depiction should be accurate. For example, members should be in the proper uniform and appropriately groomed. Auxiliary offices should be correctly designated (e.g., Auxiliarists should be referred to as Flotilla Commander or Asst. District Staff Officer, not Lieutenant).
• DSOs-PE should be aware of any copyright or trademark issues with respect to materials to be approved for use. In appropriate circumstances written authorization must be obtained from the copyright holder prior to its use or incorporation with Auxiliary or Board Inc. materials.
• DSOs-PE are required to forward to DC-E, or the appropriate Division Chief, a copy of the material or a detailed description of the material which has been approved at district level. This permits national staff to review materials to see if these are suitable for a wider distribution.

The above guidance is meant to be illustrative, not all-inclusive. DSOs-PE should use their judgement and common sense. If in doubt, any materials can be submitted to national staff for their review and approval.