Performing Department
ENTOMOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
The IPM3 Program is intended to provide an easily accessible opportunity for individuals with an interest in IPM to become proficient in the principles and application of IPM as taught by leading IPM authorities in diverse disciplines from various U.S. universities. In a review of extension IPM programs one of the key IPM goals was reduced risk of output loss (Fernandez-Cornejo and Jans 1999). The economic, biological and ecological benefits of IPM covered in the IPM Core Concepts Module will help provide practitioners increased options based on increased information. The long-term goal is to provide the information needed to increase IPM implementation. The short term goal is to make current practitioners aware of a suite of IPM options. The economic, biological and ecological benefits of IPM covered in the IPM Core Concepts Module will help provide pest management practitioners with increased options based on increased information. In a survey of Midwest greenhouse
operations 47% of respondents stated they were unsure how to implement biological control and 57% cited the need for detailed training (Wawrzynski, Ascerno and McDonough 2001). Client surveys will be conducted prior to and after completion of the IPM3 modules. These surveys offer a unique opportunity to track IPM adoption and `outputs and outcomes', as described in the University of Wisconsin logic model. As IPM Cubed training becomes more widely available it will help "...create public awareness and understanding of IPM programs and their environmental impacts.(RFA pg. 6)" Once the initial program is established with federal agencies, it will be publicized and promoted to a larger audience including state and local government officials tasked with IPM, Regional Extension Educators, Master Gardeners, 4-H staff, Crop Consultants, Pest Management Professionals, and a wide array of Green Industry Professionals IPM Cubed training is consistent with the goal of the RFA to ".increase the
supply and dissemination of IPM knowledge and increase collaboration among stakeholders."
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
This is a renewal application of an Extension project. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides a sustainable approach to managing pest: insects, plant diseases, weeds, and vertebrates. IPM3 (3 is in superscript), or IPM cubed, the acronym for the program, stands for Professional Program in Pest Management. The IPM Cubed Program is designed to provide a web-based, distance delivery opportunity for individuals interested in IPM to become proficient in the principles and application of IPM as taught by leading IPM authorities in diverse disciplines from various U.S. universities. Most of the individuals who need IPM training are not academics and need practical information so they can implement IPM in day-to-day pest management decisions. Government agencies have strong policy mandates or legal requirements to increase IPM adoption and implementation. The initial goal is to meet training needs of federal agencies but longer-term training audiences include: state/local
government officials tasked with IPM, Extension Educators, Master Gardeners, 4-H staff, Crop Consultants, Pest Management Professionals, and a wide array of Green Industry Professionals. The IPM Cubed Training Consortium, a not-for-profit, is made up of IPM stakeholders from land grant institutions and federal agencies. The University of Minnesota is the lead institution, current partners include: the University of Arkansas, Purdue, Virginia Tech NPS, FWS, GSA, and NISC. Bridge-funding is needed to meet the ongoing administrative costs including: completing Phase I modules, developing a CEU and certificate of completion program, and securing approval from federal agencies until the program generates revenue. Phase I modules include: IPM Core Concepts, Invasive Species, Structural Pest Management, and Structural pest management for Managers.
Project Methods
Courses are structured into modules. The modules are arranged into a hierarchical progression starting with the IPM Core Concepts Module, one or more Pest Biology Modules, and Specialty Topic Modules. The 3-tiered program avoids duplication or repetition of content with each tier providing the information needed to understand the more specific content in the next tier. IPM Core Concepts Module consists of basic concepts about IPM and IPM implementation; entails 12-18 hours of instruction, and is a prerequisite for any pest management certificate. Pest Biology Modules consist of introductions to: entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and vertebrate pests. There will be approximately 6 hours of instruction per Pest Biology Module. Pest Biology Modules will be developed in Phase II of the IPM Cubed Program subject to availability of funding. Phase I Specialty Modules include: IPM of Invasive Species in varying environments (e.g. intensively managed or non intensively
managed), Structural IPM for Managers, and Structural IPM. Specialty modules will typically entail 6-12 hours of instruction. Content is being developed in collaboration with agency, University, and Extension partners. Content development of the IPM Core Concepts Module is nearly complete. This module is in html format and will function like a Web page with hyperlinks to a glossary, references, and navigation within and across lessons. Content is also being developed for the Structural IPM and Structural IPM for Managers Modules. Content from these three modules will be transferred to the University of Minnesota WebVista classroom management application in early spring 2008. An informational Web site will go online concurrent with the availability of the initial modules. Module distance delivery will be asynchronous, that is, on demand as opposed to set class periods. Course management will be provided through the University of Minnesota WebVista web based education system (Blackboard
Learning System Vista Enterprise License). The WebVista application encapsulates content and has full course management features such as grade book, assessments, discussion group capability, and internal email for communications between students and instructors. Exams and quizzes will be strategically placed in modules to evaluate student progress and subject mastery. The WebVista servers are redundant and volume sensitive (automatic multiple server switching), have security features, and are backed up nightly. The IPM Cubed website will contain a survey instrument to assess perceived IPM training needs of potential clients. Post course student evaluations will be conducted to identify potential improvements in course content and the delivery system. Modules will be evaluated annually by educational technology specialists, the Curriculum Committees, and the Steering Committee to provide a feedback loop for course improvement.