Virginia Tech1 Natural Resources Distance Learning Consortium Gary R. Evans, Ph.D. Director Natural Resources Distance Learning Program Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech2 Natural Resources Distance Learning Recent Study – Initial sample of 300 US Universities – 55% - listed Distance Learning courses – <9% - listed Natural Resource courses within their Distance Learning programs – <5% - Universities sampled listing any Natural Resource courses on line

Virginia Tech3 Key Word Search Forest Natural Resources Range Wildlife Environmental ScienceFisheries Recreation / Tourism Soils Conservation Biology Ecotourism Watershed Water Resource Natural Resources Environmental Education Wildland Fire Science Meteorology Conservation Studies Statistics Geographic Information System (GIS) Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Virginia Tech4 THE NEED Renewable Natural Resources Foundation Report – 50% of SES in natural resources can retire, now – 45% of GS 14 – 15 in natural resources can retire, now Universities have opportunities – Deliver natural resource education through non- traditional learning technologies – Significant need for professional degrees in natural resources, eg. M NR, M For, M Interp, M GIS

Virginia Tech5 The Continuing Question Why should a natural resources agency employee’s education stop the day they become employed? – William Woodland, USDA FS

Virginia Tech6 WHY? What are Natural Resource employees seeking? – Single Courses gain expertise for their particular job – Certificate Programs gain expertise for their specific program area – Graduate Professional Degrees – professional growth and development

Virginia Tech7 Why Virginia Tech? College of Natural Resources – Joint Venture Agreement with USDA Forest Service – Developing courses to meet Agency needs – Developing beyond traditional correspondence courses Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning – Among The Top Ranked in U.S. – Delivering 24/7 – 365, World Wide – 500 Courses on line

Virginia Tech8 Courses within the Joint Venture Agreement – Upgrade to VA Tech academic and teaching standards – Redesigning to distance learning instructional formats Courses on-line for Fall Spr 2008 – Partnership and Volunteerism – Foundations of Public Land Management – Interdisciplinary Recreation Planning & Design/Develop – Global Issues in Natural Resources – Public Ecology -Natural Resource Law and Policy -Conservation Economics - Modern Wildlife Management - nrdlc.iddl.vt.edu

Virginia Tech9 Consortium? New Opportunity – Develop a Consortium to create and deliver courses via Distance Learning University limitations to meet rapidly growing demands – Time – Faculty – Funding – Physical infrastructure

Virginia Tech10 Consortium? Who? Universities – They develop and deliver on-line courses Federal, State and Local land managing agencies – They have employees seeking education Non Governmental Organizations – They have employees seeking education Professional Societies – They set standards for certification and accreditation

Virginia Tech11 “community of interest” Natural Resources Distance Learning Consortium Virginia Tech – College of Natural Resources University of Idaho – College of Natural Resources Northern Arizona University – College of Forestry University of Montana – College of Forestry and Conservation Penn State University - World Campus Stephen F Austin State University - College of Forestry University of Tennessee - Martin - College of Agr Sciences Oregon State University - College of Natural Resources North Carolina State University – College of Natural Resources Mississippi State University USDA Forest Service DOI Bureau of Land Management DOI National Park Service National Wildland Fire Management Academy Army Corp of Engineers

Virginia Tech12 Consortium Advantages Develop certificate programs (12 – 15 credits) Provide unique curriculum – – Certificates in Graduate Studies – Graduate Professional Degrees Build on existing programs strengths Deliver education to a broader student base Provide flexibility to working professionals seeking education Combine top faculty & best available courses Provide a venue to broaden available curriculum – upper division – graduate programs

Virginia Tech13 Strategic Goals Provide for working professionals – Natural resource courses, – Certificate of graduate study – Degree opportunities Provide Broad Suite of Courses – On-Line – Meeting non-campus education needs Utilize existing on-line courses – identify courses where needs exist

Virginia Tech14 Strategic Goals Identify on-line courses opportunities – Meet student needs – Where faculty shortages exist or – Courses are not offered Augment curriculum requirements – Utilize on-line courses Provide common entry point – Students access consortium – Access courses where they are located.

Virginia Tech15 Agency Needs Price sensitivity - Travel and Lodging cost reductions Blended education program development – On-line delivery, video technology, field programs – Collaborative approaches: On-line Modules & Field Modules Pre & Post on-line modules with Intensive classroom component(s) at National Training Centers (Phoenix & Shepherdstown) Field methodologies - – Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management --Wildland Fire Management Wilderness management - Carhart Wilderness Center Upper division undergrad courses with grad courses? Training Modules - non-degree/non-credit course modules?

Virginia Tech16 Today’s Learner – A Market Survey 21% have taken an online course 60% interested in taking online course in next 3 years 52% want undergrad courses 31% want graduate courses 15% want special interest courses 11% want certificate programs 96% have internet at home 80% have internet at work

Virginia Tech17 Today’s Learner – A Market Survey Leading Barriers? – Student Finances – Not enough time What’s important? – On-line resources – Contact with faculty – Transfer of credits – Year-round availability – Length of time

Virginia Tech18 THANKS ! Gary R Evans, Ph D Director, Natural Resources Distance Learning Program National Capital Region Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College Northern Virginia Center Falls Church, Virginia