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Promoting the Adoption of E-Commerce Strategies: New Web-Based Educational Resources Bo Beaulieu Southern Rural Devel

Why The Program Was Initially Launched. Began in 2003 as a result of funding from CSREES (now NIFA)The intent was to address the problem of a digital divide between metro and nonmetro areasBy tapping the network of Extension educators and RD partners, the hope was that the use of broadband would a

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Promoting the Adoption of E-Commerce Strategies: New Web-Based Educational Resources Bo Beaulieu Southern Rural Devel

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    1. Promoting the Adoption of E-Commerce Strategies: New Web-Based Educational Resources Bo Beaulieu Southern Rural Development Center Introduction of Bo and Shannon Introduction of Bo and Shannon

    2. Why The Program Was Initially Launched Began in 2003 as a result of funding from CSREES (now NIFA) The intent was to address the problem of a digital divide between metro and nonmetro areas By tapping the network of Extension educators and RD partners, the hope was that the use of broadband would accelerate in rural America Introduction of Bo and Shannon Introduction of Bo and Shannon

    3. Latest Research: Need for This Program Remains Critical Some state that a digital divide no longer exists in the United States However, the reality is that the high-speed connections are more an exception rather than the rule in many parts of rural America. Rural areas are the least likely to have access to high-speed connections. And where available, the cost is often prohibitive as a result of limited competition among existing providers or due to the economies of scale.

    4. The Major Hurdles We Had to Address Adoption has been an important goal of our program. But, few educational resources were available in 2003 to support educational outreach activities. Furthermore, the presence of a strong core of Extension educators and partners to deliver these programs was simply not in place.

    5. Three Components of the SRDC Program Invest in the development of state-of-the-art educational resources Train and expand the team of individuals engaged in e-commerce training programs Keep Extension educators & partners abreast of new developments in broadband/e-commerce strategies

    6. The Importance of This Program Today ! Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) funded by the federal government in 2009 (from ARRA funds) Over $4.7 billion being invested (by NTIA & USDA’s RUS) BTOP’s three areas of focus: Deploy broadband infrastructure in un-served and under-served areas; Enhance broadband capacity at public computer centers; Encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service

    7. The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Launched in 2003, has recently launched a new Web site, the keep all e-Commerce resources at your fingertips. The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Launched in 2003, has recently launched a new Web site, the keep all e-Commerce resources at your fingertips.

    8. Currently, the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has ten active online learning modules that address a variety of topics. All the learning modules are housed in the Learning Center. Each lesson offers facilitation tools for Extension Educators, as well as a self – paced section that the learning can complete on their own. Currently, the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has ten active online learning modules that address a variety of topics. All the learning modules are housed in the Learning Center. Each lesson offers facilitation tools for Extension Educators, as well as a self – paced section that the learning can complete on their own.

    9. Audiences Being Targeted Local government / community organizations Small businesses (including Latino-owned) Entrepreneurs / self-employed Artists & craftsmen Farm business managers Food-related niche marketers Main Street shops and other retailers Tourism sector

    10. Currently, the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has ten active online learning modules that address a variety of topics. All the learning modules are housed in the Learning Center. Each lesson offers facilitation tools for Extension Educators, as well as a self – paced section that the learning can complete on their own. Currently, the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has ten active online learning modules that address a variety of topics. All the learning modules are housed in the Learning Center. Each lesson offers facilitation tools for Extension Educators, as well as a self – paced section that the learning can complete on their own.

    11. Objective: Provide guidance and encouragement to people with limited computer skills as they begin to explore the opportunities offered by small-scale Internet-based businesses. http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/beginners_guide/ A beginner’s guide to e-Commerce is our most popular learning module for facilitated Extension Workshops. It has very basic ideas on how to sell products on ebay and other online auction sites. A beginner’s guide to e-Commerce is our most popular learning module for facilitated Extension Workshops. It has very basic ideas on how to sell products on ebay and other online auction sites.

    13. Objectives: Introduce potential etailers to the concepts that govern conducting online business and sales Learn the basics of selling online, from understanding what motivates consumer decisions and trends to making practical choices for efficiency. http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/electronic_retailing/ Let’s select a learning module and walk through it briefly. Show etailing / beginners Electronic Retailing for example teaches with interactive quizzes and you fix it case studies. Let’s select a learning module and walk through it briefly. Show etailing / beginners Electronic Retailing for example teaches with interactive quizzes and you fix it case studies.

    15. Forthcoming Educational Products Web presence strategies for small communities and governments Search engine optimization strategies Social networking tools to enhance small businesses Security and back office concerns

    16. In addition to the learning modules themselves, the Web site also features a Library of Resources (describe) and an e-commerce tutorials section. Lastly, the program distributes a bi – monthly newsletter eNews, which keeps our subscribers informed with recent articles on e-commerce as well as funding and program announcements. In addition to the learning modules themselves, the Web site also features a Library of Resources (describe) and an e-commerce tutorials section. Lastly, the program distributes a bi – monthly newsletter eNews, which keeps our subscribers informed with recent articles on e-commerce as well as funding and program announcements.

    17. Sign – up sheet for eNews will be located in the room. Sign – up sheet for eNews will be located in the room.

    18. A Persistent Challenge We Are Facing Finding Extension educators and partners with an interest in embracing this work as part of their educational outreach activities

    19. In Response to this Challenge We are organizing Regional e-Commerce Teams Five individuals per RRDC Region Individuals are being trained July 2010 These teams will work with the SRDC in expanding training to Extension educators & others in each region If you interested training that these regional teams will be offering, let us know!

    20. Thank You

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