Enhancing Animal Science Education Through Video-Conferencing Technology

1. Effective Use of Video-Conference Technology in Delivering Animal Science Programs Across State Lines L.A. Kriese-Anderson1, J.A. Parish2, J.E. Rowntree3, S.D. Seal2, W.N. Presley1 and G.D. Works1 1Auburn University, Auburn, AL2Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS3Louisana State University, Baton Rouge. LA

2. Introduction • Resources in Extension in the Southeast are shrinking • People • Specialist Level • Agent Level • Resources • However, producers share many of the same production environment, opportunities and challenges in a geographic region • Extension programs are duplicated many times across State lines

3. Distance Education Objectives Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama • Improve program delivery efficiency • Expand program offerings across States • Ideal for expensive or hard to reproduce programs (e.g. Carcass fabrication) • Maintain interactive program format

4. Availability of Video- Conference Technology Polycom Video Conference sites in each county (n=82) configured by Extension 31 Polycom sites distributed throughout the State configured by Extension Polycom sites distributed throughout the State (n=8)

5. What is Video- Conference Technology? • Polycom Video-Conference Technology • Internet Protocol (IP) • Complete, interactive, real time communications • No connectivity or per minute charges • For optimum performance and TV quality video (384K) • Need high speed internet • Need high quality internet connection • Programs are viewed at a central location connected by a multi-point control unit • Ability to video-stream programs

6. Components of Conference Technology Polycom FX Viewstation. Contains camera, internet hookup, video S cable connections and microphone HighSpeed Internet Connection TV Quality Monitor Multi-point controller for more than 2 sites

7. Components of Conference Technology Polycom FX Viewstation What remote sites sees Shows last site that spoke or can show all sites once connected Can have computer and other audio/visual components connected

8. Components of Conference Technology Ceiling Mounted Microphones which are connected to Polycom unit LCD Projector

9. 23rd Annual Livestock Production Sale November 17, 2005 4 Lots Sold over Distance Bidding System Competitive Bidding from Sites on Other Lots High-Selling Horse Lot Sold via Distance Bid Phone Bid from Distance Bidding Site Portable Polycom available- Field demonstration- Auction- Emergency

10. Producer Comment: “Would like to see real people” 7 sites Programs to Date • Initial concept of using video-conferencing began in Mississippi in August 2004 • Beef Nutrition shortcourse • Multi-session in nature 98% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

11. 11 sites 3 sites Programs to Date • Went multi-state in January 2005 when Louisiana joined Mississippi for a beef repro shortcourse 95% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education

12. Producer Ratings of Distance Ed. Format 1 to 5 scale (1=poor, 5=excellent) 4.06 as a positive experience 3.83 for ease of communication 4.11 for willingness to attend in future 4.11 for preference over travel to campus Programs to Date • April 2005 Alabama joined in for carcass fabrication demonstration • Used portable technology to show fabrication of carcasses on a real-time basis

13. Programs to Date • November 2005 • Three State, three session genetics shortcourse • January 2006 – March 2006 • Two State, 8 session Master Cattle Producers Program (424 participants) • May 2006 – Source/Age 1 day shortcourse • November 2006 • Four State, 2 session Herd Health shortcourse • Addition of Florida

14. What Does It Take to be Successful? • Knowledgeable, enthusiastic site moderator • Encourage questions • Stimulate discussion • Help producers become comfortable with technology • Serve as knowledge base

15. What Does It Take to be Successful? • Programs producers want • Use evaluation instrument to gage what topics producers are interested in • Program must be thought out and organized • Get best speakers for topic • Must be willing/able to talk specifics for region

16. What Does It Take to be Successful? • Simple, uncluttered slides • Light background • Dark letters • This seems to increase readability where internet is not as fast or lower quality • Sometimes slides transmit upside down, or green, or on a time delay • Sound is usually okay

17. What Does It Take to be Successful? • Must provide copies of slides • Prefer 2 slides to a page • Helps readability • Ability to take notes on slides • Which also means speakers need to have slides finished more than 20 minutes before presentation • Moderators mad • Producers frustrated

18. What Does It Take to be Successful? • Understand not all programs can or should be delivered using video-conference technology • Still need personal touch

19. Our Next Step • Planning our next shortcourse • Really a series of nutritional meetings • Named our cooperative effort

20. Implications • The use of video-conference technology can help serve clientele as: • People resources are not replaced in Extension • Time constraints and fuel costs continue to be a factor • However, site moderators are key for success • Be prepared for glitches. It will happen.