7.pdf This presentation captures many uses and the significance of the number...
Recruiting, Training and Retaining State Experts for Online Question Platform
1. From Hotline to Online:Recruiting, Training and Retaining Experts for Your State Dr. Elizabeth Wells 4-H Youth Educator MSU Extension wellselz@msu.edu Dr. Lela Vandenberg Professional Development Specialist MSU Extension vanden34@msu.edu
12. What We Are Learning? Will I get credit for this? How does it help me? How much time will this take? Usefulness and usability are key Passions make the difference Experiential learning is vital Technology fluency varies considerably
1. Surveyed all MSUE staff about AAE to gatherdata on areas of expertise and interest (passions)2. Created database of specialties3. Targeted horticulture and agriculture (immediate short-term need) with one hour on-line training for AAE and How-To handout4. Offered training more broadly, and trained MGVs5. Added a few specialty widgets: Land Use, Oil & Gas Leasing, Gardening in Michigan6. Trained wranglers for these7. PutAsk and Expert/Find an Expert on our MSUEmain page8. Created two handouts:for Clientele Walk-ins to County offices on ‘Ask an Expert’for Educators and front line staff on finding info in eXtension
Contact informationAre you currently answering AaE?Are you interested in being trained?How much time are you willing to devote?Would you be willing to answer questions from county, state, US?What is your expertise?
We’ve added more since, especially in horticulture by training Master Gardener Volunteers
ExperientialBoth Adobe Connect and “REAL” online ask and answer practice Initial e-mail welcome with instructions in attachment
Sent four days prior to classHow to get eXtension IDSet PreferencesAreas of expertiseResponse Guidelines
Devised several expansion and retention strategies:Address key issues & questions during the training: Will I get credit for this? How much time will this take? How does it help me? Include a personalized comment when assigning a question.Periodically review answers to questions and send personal messages to responders thanking them for their good and timely responses.Seek out individuals within the organization when a specific question needs expertise not yet covered and ask if they can answer it. Then recruit them to join the Ask an Expert system to answer future questions. Emphasize the option to “hand off to a wrangler” and ask them to immediately make a decision about any question assigned to them and to act on that decision by either handing off or answering.Recognize consistent, dedicated responders in organization-wide communications and with annual awards.
Full circle – Ask an Expert is on the front page of MSUE along side Find an Expert, A small bookmark promoting the use of Ask an Expert was designed and sent out to county offices to use to give out to clientele who walk in.