1. Auburn University
Adult & Higher Education Programs’
Extension Educator Certificate
James E. Witte, Ph.D., Professor
Rusty Presley, M.Ed., EEC
Auburn University
NETC 2012

2. Extension Educator’s Certificate
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System
(ACES) and Auburn University (AU) College of
Education’s Adult Education Department (ADED)
have partnered to provide Extension
professionals globally an Extension Educator’s
Certificate.
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3. Extension Educator’s Certificate
• Purpose: to recognize Extension employees who
have committed to additional coursework and
effort to improve their ability to teach and train
within the Extension community.
• Participants must meet admission requirements
• 15 Hour Curriculum of ADED and Extension
Programs and Methods classes.
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4. History
• July 2007 - First ADED internal meeting of
Dean, Chair and Faculty to discuss feasibility
and base curriculum.
• October 2007 - First meeting between ADED,
ACES, and College of Agriculture (CoAg) to
discuss plan of study, syllabi, and delivery
methods: H.323 and AU BlackBoard LMS.
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5. History - Participants
• Fall Semester 2008 - Program Begins
• First Semester
1. 9 initial ACES participants.
• Included both on-campus and statewide ACES
staff.
• County Agents, Extension Specialists, Professors,
and Administrative and Professional employees
enrolled.
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6. History - Participants
• Goals were varied
1) Position/Job requirement
2) Professional development
3) Personal satisfaction
• Participant’s degrees when starting the
program varied from undergraduate to Ph.D.
• Could participate at AU or from a distance.
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7. History - Technology
• 3 technologies used to deliver the program
1) AU BlackBoard LMS
2) H.323 Interactive Videoconferencing
3) Full class archives with metadata using Panopto
• Class met in Duncan Hall 112, which is a
technology enhanced conference room.
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8. History - Technology
• H.323 Interactive Videoconferencing
1) Polycom’s at certain County Offices.
Initially, these were the only option available.
2) ScopiaDesktop – H.323 client for PCs/MACs
Towards the end of the second semester, staff
had the option of participating from any
computer with a broadband internet connection
using a headset and webcam.
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9. History - Technology
• Archives – Full class archives via Panopto.
1) Panopto was run in parallel with the H.323
2) Panopto generates lecture presentation
metadata allowing content searchable archives.
• Archives are available 24/7 to any computer
via web, video podcast, audio podcast, and
RSS feed.
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10. Outcomes
• 9 Received Extension Educator’s Certificate
initially.
• 31 have received the Certificate as of this
date.
• Others are currently in the program.
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11. Extension Educator’s Certificate
• Purpose: to recognize Extension employees who
have committed to additional coursework and
effort to improve their ability to teach and train
within the Extension community.
• Participants must meet admission requirements
• 15 Hour Curriculum of ADED and Extension
Programs and Methods classes.
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12. Extension Educator’s Certificate
• Courses: 3 semester hours each
– Nature of Adult Education
– Teaching the Disadvantaged Adult
– Practicum in Adult Education
– Extension Programs and Methods
– Approved elective in major area of interest.
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13. Extension Educator’s Certificate
• The certification will be available to
Cooperative Extension employees globally.
• The certification will be offered as a web-
based, stand alone training via Auburn’s LMS.
• Auburn current LMS is Instructure Canvas.
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14. Summary
This program has allowed ACES employees to
further their education with the least disruption to
their location, job, or family situation. It has
strengthened old and created new relationships
and partnerships among the people and units of
ACES and AU.
"The partnership between this college and Cooperative
Extension has surpassed any of our early expectations.'‘
Jim Witte, Ph.D., Program Coordinator.
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15. Questions???
Andragogy
Triumphs!
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16. Questions???
Jim Witte, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
witteje@auburn.edu
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