Principles, Standards & Practices Foundations of Recreation, Parks, Tourism And Leisure Services

Wisdom grows as knowledge shrinks, and facts are swallowed up in principles. --Dr. Edsko Jerry Dyksterhuis Texas A&M University, 1968

What is Knowledge  Plato defined knowledge as "justified true belief".  It is expertise, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.  The term knowledge is used to mean the confident understanding of a subject with the ability to use it for an appropriate application or purpose.

What is Wisdom?  Accumulated knowledge, gained through a combination of academic study and personal experience, that goes beyond knowledge by representing broader, more generalized rules and schemas for understanding a specific domain or domains; wisdom allows you to understand how to apply concepts from one domain to new situations or problems.  Source: myphliputil.pearsoncmg.com/student/bp_jessup_ist_1/JessupGlossary.html myphliputil.pearsoncmg.com/student/bp_jessup_ist_1/JessupGlossary.html

 accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment  the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight  ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight  the quality of being prudent and sensible  The ability to use knowledge for a purpose.

What is a Principle?  The Law of Nature by which a system operates.  A rule of conduct, especially of right conduct.  A fundamental truth, law, doctrine, or motivating force, upon which others are based.  Synonyms: rule, law, theory, notion, dogma, tenet, assumption

What is a Standard?  Something established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc.  Anything recognized as correct by common consent, by approved custom, or by those most competent to decide.  A level or grade of excellence or attainment, regarded as a goal or measure of adequacy  Synonyms: criterion, benchmark, model, paradigm, yardstick, pattern, measure

What is a Practice?  The exercise of a profession or occupation  A frequent or usual action, habit, or usage  The doing of something, often as an application of knowledge  Synonyms: custom, way, tradition, system, habit, routine, procedure, ritual

What are some examples of Principles?  Conduct—  Science & mathematics—  Nature & environment—  Society & Law—

What are some examples of Standards?  Quality— –Water –Air –Food Storage  Maintenance –Cars and Machinery –Home repairs  Parks--Acres per 1000 population

What are some examples of Practices?  Playground equipment—  Graffiti & Vandalism—  Drainage Erosion—  Golf courses—  Buildings –Interior –Exterior –Foundation

How are standards set?  Criteria Used –Safety –Aesthetics –Practicality, etc.  Who sets & determines extent of compliance? –Roles of Society and Law  What is included in a standard?

Written Statements of Principle  A principle is a linguistic statement—not a single word. “Safety” may imply the existence of a principle or set of principles, but the word itself does not constitute a statement of Principle.  “Safety of visitors and employees is of paramount importance in park/tourism management.” is a linguistic statement which defines an operating principle.

 Sometimes, principles may be defined by a shorter catchy phrase such as “Graffiti begets graffiti.”  A more appropriate linguistic statement might be “The presence of graffiti or vandalism tends to promote or engender more of the same.”

Where can we find standards for maintenance?  Talk to professionals in the field  Books and periodicals, especially those with a professional orientation  The internet  Equipment suppliers  Laws, rules and regulations

What kinds of problems do we encounter in using standards?  Undefined measurements  Interpretation of the words used  Ambiguous or conflicting statements  Time when checked for compliance

Wisdom grows as knowledge shrinks, and facts are swallowed up in principles. --Dr. Edsko Jerry Dyksterhuis Texas A&M University, 1970

Check Your Understanding  Who founded the first institute of higher learning? Where? When?  How do the terms Wisdom and Knowledge differ? Define them and give an example.  How do the terms Principle, Standard, and Practice differ? Define each and give an example.  How are standards derived?

Who was Plato?

Did you study Plato? Or did you miss that class because of some unfortunate circumstances?

Is Plato Relevant Today?

Who was Plato?  A Greek philosopher taught by Socrates, his most famous pupil was Aristotle.  He founded the Academy in Athens in 387 BC, the first institution of higher learning, which was closed in 529 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.  Remembered for his Dialogues.

 The Key to the Class –(also the end of the show)