Describes an instrument to evaluate instructional videos in terms of content, instructional plan, technical considerations, and supplemental material. Explains its use in establishing baseline information about videos in order to decide whether to recommend their use. (SK)

The Community Land Use and Economics Simulation was tested in a U.S. and a Slovak university. Cultural differences in players' approaches appeared: the competitive aspects came more naturally to U.S. players; resource inequities, planning, and visioning were addressed differently. Materials developed for use in cross-cultural contexts should have…

A counseling program for low-income families in federally subsidized housing focused on money and home management and future home ownership. Of 32 potential participants, 12 attended and 9 completed the program. Nonparticipants cited personal, not program-related, reasons. The fact that the program needs and content were determined externally may…

EDUFAIM (Educating Families to Achieve Independence in Montana) was designed to integrate state efforts to help welfare recipients attain self-sufficiency through education in nutrition, health, family development, resource management, and housing. Evaluation of 34 participants showed changes in locus of control, depression, anxiety, knowledge,…

Responses from 698 agriculture professionals indicate that extension programs have positive agronomic and environmental impact and attendance was influenced more by topics and speakers than cost. Greater impact can be achieved through partnerships with companies, associations, and agencies to target professionals who will be able to use or…

A survey of 383 college students found that 24% definitely plan to open their own business and 60% indicated they might start a business. They would use future nonformal educational programs, such as cooperative extension, to help them be successful. (SK)

Interviews with Cornell Cooperative Extension faculty, staff, and administrators (28 campus-based and 39 county staff) revealed both similarities and differences in views of engagement. County staff view their jobs as the critical link between community needs and university resources; campus staff view themselves as implementers of programs.…

An extension program, Building Nebraska Families, works with Employment First families, Nebraska's welfare reform program, to teach family management and life skills using an individualized, flexible curriculum to help families make successful transitions from welfare to work. Evaluation strategies include an entry/exit behavior checklist and…

A national survey of Extension employees identified the most critical work/life challenges as a heavy workload, evening and weekend commitments, and lack of control or job autonomy. Only 40% were aware of benefits and programs offered concerning work/life balance. Recommendations included reducing the workload and time requirements of county-based…

Studies of Australian farmers show they prefer to seek information rather than participate in training for several reasons: (1) independence; (2) familiarity with contextual learning; (3) lack of confidence; (4) preference for information from known sources; and (5) fear of exposure to new knowledge or skills. Enabling farmers to control their own…

A survey of 127 (of 300) Illinois swine producers found that 114 owned computers; the majority used industry magazines as sources of information about new technologies; extension newsletters were used much less by corporate farm enterprises; very small numbers used electronic mail; only about half used university specialists for information; and…

Investigated attitudes toward diversity held by professionals at Pennsylvania and Michigan Cooperative Extension. Surveys of Extension personnel indicated that respondents in both states had positive attitudes toward equality of gender, were comfortable with people different from themselves, preferred cultural diversity and pluralism to…

An agricultural extension workshop on nitrogen use was evaluated by 75% of Australian farmers participating. Use of action learning and adult learning principles helped make the issues presented meaningful and influenced 67% of the respondents' fertilizer decisions. (SK)

Comparison of 124 participants in MONEY 2000, an extension program of savings education, with 101 who attended other personal finance workshops, revealed differences between the two groups in investing funds wisely, setting financial goals, paying more than the minimum on credit cards, and paying bills on time. (SK)

Extension educators (n=55) received training on a family resource management website. Responses from 21 showed that extension educators use the Web for information and support using it for training. They appreciated having links that could be considered reliable and accurate. The data also suggest that such sites can provide a refresher for…