A VIRTUAL ETERNITY - PROVIDING ONLINE PESTICIDE SAFETY TRAINING FOR 10 YEARS IN NJ
Extension Education
Nicholas Polanin
Associate Professor
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
BRIDGEWATER
Abstract
\r\n Distance education efforts utilize enhanced communication linkages to reach existing and under-served clientele groups by facilitating wider and more accessible distribution of research-based findings and educational opportunities, while at times also meeting licensure or regulatory requirements. A web site, www.recert.rutgers.edu, was launched in 2002 to provide training and online licensure recertification opportunities in the CORE area of pesticide safety and storage. Two CORE credits have been available for commercial growers and applicators in NJ since the onset of the website, while credits for NY, PA, and MD applicators have been added to the site over time. The web site features written and narrated script along with digital imagery designed for the general public (non-credit) and licensed audiences. Pre- and Post- questions are imbedded online to assess user knowledge and knowledge gained and the learning value of the site beyond the licensure credit. Over the past decade, 460 individual licensed applicators attained 692 CORE credits for their state recertification needs. According to WebTrends Analysis, there are 4,800 general use (non-credit) views of the web site annually. The pre- and post- surveys continue to provide valuable data on the teaching capacity of the site and the web site's overall benefit to the professional applicators beyond retaining their state license.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: N. Polanin, W. T. Hlubik, G. C. Hamilton
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Polanin, N. County Agent II, Associate Professor, Rutgers University, NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08807
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Hlubik, W. County Agent I, Professor I, Rutgers University, NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08902
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Hamilton, G. Specialist in Pest Management, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 08901