Progress 08/15/04 to 01/31/09
Outputs
No technical report submitted. PRODUCTS: Objective one was accomplished by completing six new one credit modular Seed Science and Technology courses. These courses were coordinated through four universities that included: Vigor Testing (D. Tekrony, University of Kentucky); Seed Storage and Deterioration (L. Wiesner, USDA/Colorado State University); Vegetable Seed Production (G. Welbaum, Virginia Tech); Seed Dormancy (A. Knapp, Iowa State); Large Seeded Legume Seed Production (M. Brick, Colorado State University); Seed Seperation and Conditioning (J. Stanelle, Seed Industry Consultant/Colorado State University) These six courses and four previously developed seed science modular courses were used to develop a National Seed Science Distant Education certificate program. This accomplished objective number two. A website was established, http://step.colostate.edu to disseminate information about courses, descriptions and enrollment procedures, certificate requirements and career opportunities. Two articles have been written and published in seed science and technology trade journals, three presentations were given at National meetings and four presentations were given at regional meetings that assisted in disseminating the National Seed Science and Technology program. Developing these courses and establishing a National Seed Science and Technology certificate program has been the most significant output. Meeting the need to provide every student and seed industry professionals at any university or remote locations an opportunity to take courses from the experts is a significant accomplishment. OUTCOMES: The six new Seed Scienes and Technology courses have been developed, pilot tested, and offered to students. These courses are available for college credit or for Continuing Education Units (CEU's) to meet the educational needs of traditional on-campus students as well as industry professionals and remote learners interested in seed science. These courses, along with four existing courses, are used to develop the National Seed Distance Education Certificate Program. Each course was pilot tested to evaluate student-teacher interactions; course structure; web-based learning; and overall course satisfaction. The coordinated effort between the four universities with the resources provided by this grant enabled this seed science team to develop the six new courses and the certificate program. To date, 526 students have enrolled in these courses which represent students from 28 different states and 7 foreign countries. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The courses and certificate programs are listed in the distance education materials of the cooperating institutions, seed science trade journals and on the established website: http://step.colostate.edu. Presentations at two national meetings of American Society of Agronomy / Crops Sciences Society of America, contributed to the national distribution of the available courses and certificate programs. A display banner has been used to discuss this program at the national American Association of Certified Seed Analysts. FUTURE INITIATIVES: We are currently developing a photograph of seeds database and have started this website: www.seedimages.com
Impacts
Students attending colleges and universities along with employees of seed companies have been interested in seed science but have not had an adequate opportunity to take these courses. Many universities offer some seed science courses but most do not have a complete set of courses. Plus, these courses are available to students at remote locations. The new seed science courses and certificate program provides every student at any university or remote location an opportunity to take these courses from experts. Current employees at seed companies and seed laboratories may take these courses to improe their knowledge without leaving their positions.
Publications
- Welbaum, GE. 2009. Distance Learning Courses in Seed Biology and Technology. Journal of New Seeds. 10:233-235.
- Fenwick, J.R., D. Tekrony, L. Wiesner, G.E. Welbaum, A. Knapp, M. Brick, J. Stanelle. 2008. National Seed Science Distance Education Program. In 2008 Agronomy Abstracts. ASA Houston, TX
- Fenwick, J. 2005. Factors Contributing to the Completion of Students Enrolled in Seed Sciene and Technology Courses Delivered through Distance Learning. In 2005 Agronomy Abstract. ASA. Salt Lake City, UT
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
The educators developing the courses for the National Seed Science Distance Education program had been communicating through e-mail and conference calls on progress of course development . On November 17 , 2007 the cooperating educators met at the University of Kentucky to discuss course updates, results of pilot tests, and course offering mechanisms. D. TeKrony reported that his Seed Vigor course was complete and had been pilot tested. He will insert two video clips into the text portion . Greg Welbaum's course Vegetable Seed Production is complete, pilot tested and ready to be offered to students. Loren Weisner and Jack Fenwick reported that Seed Storage and Deterioration is complete and is being pilot tested. Mark Brick indicated his Large Seeded Legume course was developed and the quizzes were being put together. Jim Stanelle has completed his course on Seed Conditioning and it is being pilot tested. Allen Knapp indicated his teaching assignment had changed and he was just getting started on developing his course . PRODUCTS: Five of the six courses have been developed. Each course has been reviewed by the course developing team members through the central website . OUTCOMES: The course evaluation instrument data were shared and discussed at the University of Kentucky meetings. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: At the University of Kentucky meeting, a conference call was held between the Directors of Continuing Education at the cooperating universities to discuss the mechanisms for sharing the courses between the institutions and other interested students. Launching the National Seed Science Distance Education program will take place at the American Society of Agronomy meetings on October 5-9,2008. A poster presentation will present the details of the program .The National Seed Science Distance Eduction web site and brochure will be developed. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Since a part of this proposal is to establish a National Seed Science Distance Education Program, the commitment to this program is beyond the end of the grant period. Part of the tuition funds generated from student enrollment will not only be used to keep the existing courses current but to add additional courses to the curriculum that were high priority on the survey.
Impacts
Student completing this curriculum will be informed about career opportunities. The added students to the career pool will help fill the void in meeting the employment opportunities in the seed industry. Students completing the pilot testing have already indicated to us the value of the course material.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
All investigators developing the six courses for the National Seed Science Distance Education program met on October 30, 2004 to establish a consistent format for the web-based courses. Initial outlines were shared and reviewed. An assessment instrument has been finalized and approved by Human Resources. Course content is being developed. A website has been established at Colorado State University to facilitate the review of course materials. Course materials are being developed by cooperators from the University of Kentucky, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Iowa State University, and the USDA-ARS at Fort Collins, CO.
PRODUCTS: The course outlines, the assessment instrument, and the website are the products that have been developed during the first year of this project.
OUTCOMES: The outcomes for the first year of this three year project have been the development of the course outline, assessment evaluation instrument, and the website to share the review of course materials.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Since the courses will be completed in the second year of this three year project, the dissemination of the courses and student assessment data will be shared with seed scientists and distance education educators at the completion of the project.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Since a part of this proposal is to establish a National Seed Science Distance Education Program, the commitment to this program is beyond the end of the grant period. Part of the tuition funds generated from student enrollment will not only be used to keep the existing courses current but to add additional courses to the curriculum that were high priority on the survey.
Impacts
Student completing this curriculum will be informed about career opportunities. The added students to the career pool will help fill the void in meeting the employment opportunities in the seed industry.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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