2009 MM Technology
From Extension Collaborative Wiki
3. How does your state utilize technology in training?
Georgia
We continue to utilize web modules to cover the basic parts of our Agent foundation trainings. Special update needs, quarterly district meetings with County Coordinators and administrative meetings at the district and state level as well as various committee functions and performance evaluations have been covered utilizing web conferencing technology and video conferencing to minimize travel needs. At present, we are proposing our January 2010 Winter School, which is one of our major training events of the year, be conducted as a “virtual” Winter School rather than face to face. Rather than bring in the entire state for three days, we will have one day concurrent District Meetings that are linked together by Tandberg video conference. This opening session will be followed by three days of web conference training opportunities offered by program areas. The expected cost savings is significant. In a follow-up to this step, our District Program Development Coordinators are anticipating increasing our overall web based training opportunities for 2010.
Virginia
In Virginia we continue to utilize adobe connect as the primary web based technology resource for communicating with work groups. These include hosting district meetings, state administrative updates, committee work groups, and most recently a statewide Extension Leadership Council meeting. Some district directors also utilize this tool for updates with their unit coordinators. As far as training is concerned, on-line modules exist for agents and staff to use, but little live "real time" training is conducted via technology.
Texas
In Texas we continues to utilize centra symposium to connect with internal and external audiences. This includes utilization of this technology for trainings, committee meetings, Middle Managers Conferences,etc.
We have also implemented the use of a blog entitled County Programs Vision 2009 for middle managers. This blog is utilized to provide two to three articles per week to middle managers related to Extension program management.
Tennessee
Tennessee uses Centra for training and meetings with agents and volunteers. We will soon begin using UT Extension Online Learning Management System for training.
Clemson Extension
Several trainings/seminars are conducted using webinars. Professional development opportunities, such as new employee orientation, are delivered via Polycom, DVD, and streaming video. Agents frequently use Adobe Connect - some agents are experimenting with using text messaging as a way of promoting/advertising meetings and events.
LSU AgCenter
Distance Ed, Office Communicator 2007, and Internet streaming
Oklahoma
Centra Symposium continues to be the primary distance training option at this time. OCES is continuing to develop and refine the Polycom system for distance training.
Alabama
State and County webpage with links to information, email to ask questions, some have an “ask the experts” tab that is linked to eXtension. There are other links on the webpage to blog and other sources of information.
We are using Scopia web conferencing (all staff can have this installed on their computer as well as a headset and web camera) for training sessions, and supervisor staff conference. Many are also using Scopia for Agent and Staff Association planning meetings and field staff is using it to plan multi-county programs and events.
We have video Conferencing Equipment (with T-1 line) in about 37 of the 67 county offices or sites that we share with other organizations. These sites are used for the Director’s Updates, 8 of the 12 monthly meetings of the System Program Team, Economic & Community Development Institute Advisory Board Meetings, Hispanic Planning Committee Meeting, HR training for Supervisors, Field Staff Trainings, and many other similar internal meetings and trainings.
The video conferencing is used for multi-site training with clientele for programs such as, Master Cattlemen update and training, Master Gardeners, Forestry and Natural Resources and other similar trainings. The presenters are at a site/s (at Au, AA&MU and other Universities or other video conferencing sites) and the clientele are at several sites throughout the state. Participants can ask the presenters’ questions and participate in the discussions.
Mississippi
Distance trainings via polycom are being used more frequently when subject matter allows to reduce travel costs. All counties, R and E Centers, and many Experiment Station facilities have video capability.
