This paper examines the feasibility of developing a new Master Volunteer training program to help communities adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Traditional models of volunteer training programs, such as the Cooperative Extension Master Volunteer peer-to-peer learning model, are based in part on Diffusion Theory. The existing…

Many public issues are becoming more complex, interconnected, and cannot be resolved by one individual or entity. Research shows an informed decision is not enough. Addressing these issues requires authentic civic engagement (deliberative dialogue) with the public to reach resourceFULL™ decisions--a decision based on diverse sources of information…

There have been numerous efforts aimed at improving geographic literacy in order to address societal challenges. Extension educators can use geographic information system (GIS) technology to help their clients cultivate spatial thinking skills and solve problems. Researchers can use it to model relationships and better answer questions. A program…

As Americans shift their work and leisure activities online, Extension seeks to remain viable by delivering programs through a website known as eXtension. eXtension is predicated on the voluntary labor of Extension specialists and educators who form Communities of Practice to create and deliver content through the website. Evaluation of eXtension…

Analyzes the development of small systems (under 15,000 part-time students) and introduces a new cost model to examine the importance of institution costs and course life and the economic impact of policy alternatives. It then examines aspects of management requiring special attention for these smaller systems. (EAO)

This study developed a model for depicting the phenomenon of communication in extension education in the developing nations, with emphasis on the role of extension communicators in such settings. The present model was formulated on the basis of existing ones, then was compared with the actual situation as found in the literature on communication…

A traveling seminar and support program offered to beginning vocational education teachers by the University of Wyoming's Department of Vocational Education was successful in combating rural isolation and the absence of inservice training opportunities. Teachers shared problems and observed new instructional techniques during weekend meetings held…

Each of New Mexico's public higher education institutions was asked to provide information on their extended learning activities in 1994-95, their planned activities for 1995-96, their funding needs and priorities, and preliminary extended learning cost information. Twenty of 24 institutions were able to provide the requested information. For this…

Outreach projects are funded to disseminate effective early childhood service models for use with handicapped children. To accomplish this mission, this paper describes how to offer effective training programs to parents, community leaders, volunteers, allied professionals and paraprofessionals, and staffs of agencies that wish to replicate the…

Participatory adult education programs assist individuals to substitute interdependent, mutually beneficial relationships for unrewarding, dependent relationships. Indicators of changes in dependency, however, are absent or imprecise in evaluations of participatory projects. A study explored facets of dependency by relating practitioners'…

This proceedings report is organized into four sections dealing respectively with: (1) global issues facing extension education; (2) extension strategies and methods; (3) extension planning and evaluation; and (4) training and curriculum development. The following papers are included: "Extension Science: To Broaden the Scope" (van…

This book contains new and previously published translations of 11 essays and articles about the industrialization of teaching and learning in distance education that were originally published in German by Otto Peters between 1965 and 1993. A "Preface" (Desmond Keegan) and an introduction placing Peters' writings in their historical…