Snapchat Storytelling Webinar and TweetUp Recap

Interested in learning more about Snapchat but not sure where to start? The eXtension #EdTechLN recently hosted a TweetUp and webinar simulcast on using Snapchat for Extension storytelling. Check out the TweetUp recap to learn more about how Extension professionals are currently using Snapchat. Also watch the webinar recording to learn about the basics of using Snapchat!

Questions? Contact Jamie or Danae.

Enroll in BuckeyePass and Win an iPad!

From Matt Devore:

As previously announced, beginning Monday, September 12, 2016, multi-factor authentication will be added to the Human Resources Employee Self Service (ESS) system. BuckeyePass will provide a second layer of security by requiring not only a username and password but also a notification or numerical code that is sent to the user. You may already be using multi-factor authentication to log in to other accounts at your bank, email or social media sites.

For those desiring additional guidance in understanding the concepts of multi-factor authentication or enrolling devices in BuckeyePass, there are two video tutorials available on BuckeyeLearn that cover these issues in detail.

Video 1: BuckeyePass Overview

This 9-minute video provides a general overview of multi-factor authentication and Duo/BuckeyePass. At the end of this video, you will be able to understand what BuckeyePass (Duo) Multi-Factor Authentication is, know why BuckeyePass is necessary to protect our institutional and personal data, and describe the four options available to use Duo.

Video 2:  Enrolling Devices in Duo/BuckeyePass

This 4-minute video provides a demonstration of enrolling devices in Duo. At the end of this video, you will be able to: enroll and manage your devices; and understand how to use the four options available in Duo.

If you are not familiar with using BuckeyeLearn, here are the steps to access the videos linked above:

  • Click the link for one of the videos above.
  • Log in using your OSU username and password.
  • Click the Request button.
  • Click the Launch button next to the training you just requested.
  • Click the triangular “play” button on the video.

Employees who are enrolled in BuckeyePass by September 9, 2016 are automatically entered in a drawing for a free iPad.

Apple iPad

2016 Virtual Summer School

Join The National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Professionals (NAEPSDP) this week for their virtual summer school to learn about social media use in Extension!

The Virtual Summer School starts TODAY at 2pm with a session on Using Social Media to Extend the Learning Process.

Virtual Summer School

Monday, August 15 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Using Social Media to Extend the Learning Process
Presenters: Drs. Karen Jeanette & Brigitte Scott, Virginia Tech, Military Families Learning Network

Tuesday, August 16 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Social Media Conduct
Presenter: Mark Hagemeier, J.D., Associate General Counsel University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR

Wednesday, August 17 at 2:00 EST
Topic: Social Media Analytics & Impact
Presenters: David G. Allen & Josh Paine, Communications and Marketing, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia

Thursday, August 18 at 3:00 EST
Topic: Accessibility for All: Digital Media Accessibility
Presenter: Richard Petty, Director, National Center for Aging and Disability, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston, TX

For more information and to register, visit the NAEPSDP website.

The eXtension #EdTechLN, One Year Later [Interactive Infographic]

The eXtension Educational Technology Learning Network is celebrating one year of learning, sharing, and collaboration this month. If you’re not familiar with the EdTechLN, it was funded and created by eXtension in 2014 to provide informal professional development, collaboration, and partnership opportunities focused on technology use in Extension programming, working differently, as well as fostering innovative ideas and concepts. While many individuals who engage with the EdTechLN are program staff, the Learning Network has attracted engagement from IT and Communications professionals, Extension Specialists, Faculty, and support staff; forming an ideal collaborative network that provides not just ideas and inspiration, but resources and support as well.

The EdTechLN is lead by Jamie Seger (Ohio State), Paul Hill (Utah State), Jerry Thomas (Ohio State), and Barbara Chamberlin (New Mexico State).

Anyone who is interested in the successful incorporation of technology into their work, or collaborating with like-minded Extension professionals are encouraged to participate in the EdTechLN! Some ways to get involved are described here. To date, Ohio leads the pack with more than 25 individuals engaging with the Learning Network in some fashion on a regular basis! The easiest way to get involved? Sign up to receive info and updates in your email inbox. And we hope to see you during the next TweetUp, they’re a lot of fun.

The infographic below is interactive, so by hovering your mouse over many of the charts and info boxes, you can see additional information. Click on hyperlinked images and text in the infographic to be taken to additional resources.

 

How to Write for Online Audiences

The Ed Techs have shared several examples of online writing best practices in the past couple of years, including one created by CommTech and one from the CDC. This morning, I came across another one. Below is a Slidedeck from Jennifer Chilek (Ed Tech for eXtension’s Network Literacy CoP) on writing for online audiences.

In the slides below, she includes examples of best practices as well as succinct info that’s usable and to-the-point. If you have questions about converting content that’s currently in a traditional pub or curriculum into quality content more suited to an online audience, please let us know in the comments below or don’t hesitate to send me an email (seger.23).

“Internet of Things” Webinar Announcement


During the Tech Talk Annual Conference in December, we discussed how Ohio would look very, very different in 2035. One of the disrupting technologies that is already here is the “Internet of Things”, or “IoT”. Jerry Thomas and I mentioned the IoT briefly during our talk, but for those who are interested in finding out which IoT devices already exist, which devices are right around the corner, and how they will change our tech landscape, eXtension is hosting an upcoming Webinar that will cover these very things on March 23rd at 1:30pmEST.

Click here to view Webinar information.

 

More information about the Internet of Things

 

Other eXtension Webinars of interest:

Which Social Media Platform is Right for You?

Twitter for Newbies

Twitter – Tier Two

Complete list of upcoming webinars.

 

 

 

 

Announcing the eXtension Ed Tech Learning Network

Interested in Ed Tech and want to take learning, sharing, collaboration, and support to the next level? The eXtension Ed Tech Learning Network, which is already over 100 members strong, is the new educational technology resource and support network for Cooperative Extension professionals nationwide. Unlike an eXtension Community of Practice, this Learning Network focuses on the power of sharing, collaboration, and integrated support which all allow for the implementation of successful technology-enhanced programs to be introduced by other Extension professionals in other states. Input from private industry expertise is also a highlight of the Ed Tech Learning Network.

Check out this video created by the Learning Network’s Guiding Committee about why they’re involved:

 

JOIN

Visit the Learning Network’s Join page and browse the many ways to get active and get involved.

PARTICIPATE & ENGAGE

We also invite you to participate in our first #EdTechLN Tweet Up on November 20th at 2:00pm EST. Not familiar with Tweet Ups? Here’s a great blog post by OSUE’s own Heather Gottke to bring you up to speed before November 20th. 

QUESTIONS?

I have the exciting opportunity to serve as Project Manager for the Learning Network for the next year, so please feel free to contact me (seger.23) with any questions you may have. Jerry Thomas is also giving leadership to the LN along with Paul Hill from USU, and Barbara Chamberlin from NMSU.

~Jamie

One Video: Posted 5 Ways to Social Media

When we visited the NMSU Learning Games Lab in February, their team had some questions common questions about social media. They are working on refining their social media strategy and were curious about how they should tailor their messages to fit each social media platform (i.e. What a post on Facebook should look like compared to Twitter, Instagram, Google+, etc.) This is such a common question, we thought a blog post was in order!

Below is the “Don’t Wash Your Chicken!” video produced by NMSU that happened to go viral. We explain why under the video – but watch it first to see if you can take a guess:


NBC News

What’s your guess? Why did it go viral?

This video is short and to the point. The video above is a simple illustration of a viral video that gives the viewer educational, fact-based information. There are some great keys to the success of this video, and small snippet animation with it. First, the message is simple. Don’t wash your chicken! Next, the video is short, but NBC news shortened it even more. It shows the animation of the chicken and bacteria being spread as the person puts it under the running water.

No matter which social media tool you’re using, you want to make sure any video you share is short and sweet. With the creation of Vine and Instagram videos, people’s attention spans continue to decrease. Some topics warrant a longer video (say, a video on how to water bath can tomatoes, for instance). But most videos need to be less than two minutes, or you’ll lose your audience.

So, how would you go about posting this video to each social media site? Would the posts need to look different?

The answer is: it depends. 

Because this is a video, there are only so many different ways you can go about changing how you post it, but it is possible. Here are some examples:

Facebook: Keyword is VISUAL

Sample Post: Keep text short and simple. Copy and paste the link to the video, but then delete the link text. You want your post to be visual and attention-getting. You can also paste the YouTube video link to allow the video to automatically play when people come across it on their newsfeed.

chicken video FB

Twitter: Keyword is INFORMATION

Sample post: Twitter is all about information and informal learning. Again, keep your post short and simple (you only have 160 characters to fit it all in!). Use a link shortener to keep the link small, and include relevant hashtags that will help people find the video. Try not to include too many hashtags… for no other reason than it’s just annoying. (Note: we probably could have included the #NBC hashtag and/or @NBC Twitter handle in this Tweet as well!)

chicken video Twitter

Instagram: Keyword is PRETTY/CREATIVE

Sample post: Instagram works as an app on your mobile device, so you’ll need to download the app from iTunes (for Apple devices) or the Google Play store (for Android devices) first. Most Instagram users are using it personally, rather than professionally. Here, the example is from my personal Instagram account, but I’m sharing an Extension-produced message. I took a screenshot of the video with my phone, then chose a cool Instagram filter to apply to the picture. And just for fun, one of my favorite quotes about Instagram is: “People of Instagram: your pictures are not cool and you are not creative.” We may feel this way (I do), but if a large chunk of young people that we’re trying to reach are in this space, then we should try to experiment with sharing information in this space so we can meet people where they are at.

chicken video Instagram

Google+: Keyword is SHARING/COLLABORATION

Sample post: Google+ is a safe haven at the moment for techies and nerds who have lost interest in Facebook and Twitter. But that doesn’t mean that they’re the only people using it. As more people find out the cool user-friendly features of Google+, they’re realizing it’s a much more collaborative tool than any other social media platform out there. Sharing is key on Google+, so include the source of information and why you think it’s useful. Like Twitter, many people utilize Google+ as part of their personal learning network, so they look for information to learn from and share – not necessarily to just entertain themselves. A couple of cool features that only Google+ has: 1) It automatically picks out useful hashtags to add to your post and 2) You can create circles of people you follow, and then choose to share information with specific circles, 3) Google Hangouts… enough said.

chicken video Google+

Pinterest: Keyword is INSPIRING

Sample post: Pinterest works as a digital bulletin-board of sorts. After my husband and I bought our house back in 2008, I began taking pages out of my Grandma’s “This Old House” magazines and putting them into a binder for renovation and decorating ideas. With Pinterest, I don’t have to do this anymore. I can create my own digital “binder” of sorts, and create binders (or “boards”) for as many topics as I want! So in a Pinterest post, you would include a photo of the video (or other photos that are available via the link you’re sharing), along with a message about why it’s good to have this information or idea handy.

chicken video Pinterest

Keep an eye on Instagram and Google+. As Facebook continues to decrease how many people your page reaches “organically” (which just means, without paying for ads) more and more organizations (especially non-profit ones) are jumping ship or are spending more time experimenting with sharing information on other social media sites, such as Instagram and Google+. Amy Hayes presented a great session at NeXC on how to utilize Instagram – you may want to check it out.

Now – keep in mind that even though we’ve showed you how to share the same link on 5 different social media sites – that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to be using all 5. It all depends on what your audience (the people you’re trying to reach) are using. For more information on how to find out which social media platforms would be beneficial for you, click here.

~Jamie & Heather

National eXtension Conference Recap: Ed Tech Everywhere!

NeXC theme

A few members of our Ed Tech group (Kim Roush, Jerry Thomas, and myself) attended the National eXtension Conference last week in Sacramento. Ever since attending and presenting at NeXC in Oklahoma City two years ago I’ve been touting the event as the closest thing to an Extension Ed Tech conference that we have, and this year didn’t disappoint! Here are some highlights:

Expert panel session at NeXC. Harold Jarche, Dave Gray, Jane Hart, and Beth Kanter.

Expert panel session at NeXC. Harold Jarche, Dave Gray, Jane Hart, and Beth Kanter.

Favorite Quotes (all by keynote speaker Dave Gray):

– “There’s already something that is serving the purpose of sharing information online. It’s called Google. What’s YOUR purpose?”

– “If you’re not making it up as you go along, you’re completely out of touch with reality.”

– “People don’t learn by spending time planning and predicting. They learn by making things.”

– “A lot of experimentation is skill-building.”

– “Cooperation is the future. And it’s not the same thing as collaboration.”

Most talked about takeaways to apply now:

– Instagram is the next social media platform those of us in Extension should be experimenting with.

– We should spend more time explaining how people should utilize Twitter as a tool to build their personal learning network. (I’m itching to write up a separate blog post on this topic – so look for that soon.)

– Extension professionals should be encouraged to take more time out of their day/week to experiment – to learn and try new things.

– We are stronger together than we are apart. If there is one thing eXtension has taught me, it’s that we can create amazing things when we collaborate (and cooperate) with one another. Even across state lines.

While at NeXC, we presented a session about our Ed Tech pilot project here in Ohio. Kim, Jerry, and I presented in person and Heather and Teresa joined via Google Hangout. A few of our colleagues were nice enough to help us out by submitting video testimonials describing what an “Ed Tech has done for them”. Here’s the finished video by 4-H Ed Tech Heather Gottke:

One final thought: NeXC isn’t a conference for those serving in leadership positions for eXtension. It truly is an Ed Tech conference without calling itself an Ed Tech conference. I would encourage anyone interested in tech, national collaboration, and simply doing things differently to attend NeXC in the future. Being a mom of two, I try keep my travel to a minimum each year… and this is a conference I always have on my calendar.

Director Keith Smith trying out the newly acquired OculusRift virtual reality technology.

Director Keith Smith trying out the newly acquired OculusRift virtual reality technology.

A group of OSUE folks trying out Google Glass. Director Keith Smith, Ken Martin, Jerry Thomas, and Jamie Seger.

A group of OSUE folks trying out Google Glass. Director Keith Smith, Ken Martin, Jerry Thomas, and Jamie Seger.

Meeting with Stan Skrabut of Wyoming to talk webinars as teaching tools! Our fellow Ed Techs joined via Google Hangout.

Meeting with Stan Skrabut of Wyoming to talk webinars as teaching tools! Our fellow Ed Techs joined via Google Hangout.

Questions about NeXC and what we learned? Leave a comment!

~Jamie

How the History of Cooperative Extension affects the Future

“The organization has met many challenges in the past and will continue to adjust to meet the future. Regardless of adversity, Extension has remained focused on its mission of “taking the university to the people” -Education through Cooperative Extension

In the history of Cooperative Extension information has been collected from the university, and delivered to the people whom it can benefit. In order for the system to continue disseminating information to the public it must be understood how technology fits into our playing field.  Cooperative Extension must realize where it has come from to develop an ideal of where it will go in the future. In other words, how do we keep Cooperative Extension relevant in times of exploding information at the click of a mouse?

The mission of Extension work, set forth clearly in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 was “…to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects relating to agriculture and home economics, and to encourage the application of the same” (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 8). People had a need for this practical information, with little to no engine to drive it to the masses. There was no one to show, teach, or demonstrate the benefit of a new method.  Agricultural societies played a large part in the transition of education and how we view the working person. As they grew, the concern for an increase in knowledge prompted the land grants that inevitably led to the development of a college for the common person. Through a progression of many years colleges and education grew around agriculture, mechanics, business and trade (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 18-19).

Colleges saw a need for their knowledge to be shared with anyone who was interested in it. The result was a Farmer’s Institute that presented experimental field research, demonstrations, and information for the farmer’s wife and children (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 27).  As the Farmer’s Institute grew, the idea of a partnership between the Universities to the public through demonstration was formed. Through Seaman A. Knapp was a pioneer for Extension education as we know it today. His work through research, communications, and demonstrations led to a strong argument being made that there should be institutions where people could gain information relevant to farming. He believed that this education should be for anyone, even those not enrolled in a higher education institution. Finally, the Smith-Lever Act highlighted demonstrations and the passing of information through publications to people not attending colleges. (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 34)

In the 1980’s the shift of Extension changed. Agents were now serving a more diverse audience, and expanding programs and events in 4-H, family life, natural resources, and community development (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 38) “Issues of the environment along with social and economic changes in communities have created interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving and program delivery in the 1990’s (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 38).  These changes allow for Extension agents to deliver programs to the people who will benefit from the information the most. As with all changes before, their focus was to obtain the information and give it to the public.

Even more relevant a change is that of how information is passed from person to person. Only recently have we been able to exchange information from long distances via email or the world wide web. The internet is a two edged sword for Extension. While not usually verified, it allows the user to find information through the means of a search engine quickly and effectively. If the purpose of Extension is to share relevant information with the public, are we missing an entire audience that is relying on search engines for their information? With the amount of people of all ages relying on smartphones, tablets, and laptops are we providing an easy way to find information regarding the problems they are encountering at that exact moment? Extension is challenged into moving from printing, journals, and face-to-face demonstrations to those more technology-driven ways of instruction. While both service their purpose, the challenge is determining which method is most appropriate for your audience.

Extension must be willing to address new methods if we plan to remain relevant to future audiences. Taking information and extending it to the public is what drives us. Doing it in a manner that leaves people with a feeling of accomplishment is what motivates us.  “The organization has met many challenges in the past and will continue to adjust to meet the future. Regardless of adversity, Extension has remained focused on its mission of “taking the university to the people” (Seevers, Graham, & Conklin, 2007, p. 39)

There are a number of questions you can ask yourself. What are you doing to remain relevant in Extension in regards to technology? Do your audiences demand other forms or receiving information from basic communications to events and lesson plans? How are you ensuring that information from the university is given to the public? What can Ed Tech’s do to help you choose those appropriate forms of education through technology?

 

References

Seevers, B., Graham, D., & Conklin, N. (2007). Education through cooperative extension (2nd ed.). Columbus, OH: Curriculum Materials Service.