1 e-Extension Elizabeth L. Andress, Ph.D. Extension Specialist The University of Georgia Athens, GA May 18, 2004

2 e-Extension is a system plan for infrastructure and for cooperation. Technology and audiences are changing. Many are potential partners. e-Extension

3 Given that Extension’s mission is the provision of education and information. Given that more than half of today’s customers and more than 90% of tomorrow’s customers prefer to have 24/7/365 access to that information via the Internet.

4 e-Extension

5 Questions the Project has – 1.Who will use it? Who are our customers? 2.Is this particular kind of system necessary? 3.Aren’t others already doing e-Extension? 4.If customers expect us to have an e-Extension system, how do we fund it? 5.What about revenue generation? 6.How will e-Extension impact my state/institution? 7.Who is in charge? Who owns e-Extension? 8.What are the risks and potential benefits?

6 Staff development 63% of adults use Internet (August 2003). White – 64% English speaking Hispanic – 62% African American – 51% 47% growth from 2000 to 2003, but rate is slowing. 31% of users have broadband access. How might it be used?

7 By region, ranges from 48% to 68% Over age 65 – 22% Ages 50 to 64 – 55% Ages 30 to 49 – 73% Ages 18 to 29 – 83% Increasing reliance on Internet in everyday life; higher expectations about how it can be used Internet use, cont.

8 Greatest predictor of Internet use is income, then educational level. From 2000 to 2003, those seeking health information online grew 59%. Those seeking religious info grew 94%. Those using government sites grew 56%. Those doing research or training grew 45%. Those purchasing online grew 63%. Internet use, cont.

9 Two-thirds of low income Internet users (CA) seek health information. 80% of users expect to find reliable information online (news, e-commerce, health and government). A majority of users now go online first for government services or programs, twice the rate of those who use the telephone. 47% say that if a store has online information they are more likely to go to that store. Internet use, cont.

10 Based on the September 2001 U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey

11 Hoping for new breadth of user interface. Developer interaction or local-state- national integration needed. Example – collaborative space and tools for faculty and staff. Extension Coordination

12 e-Extension can actually provide capability to states with "old" equipment that they currently do not have. e-Extension is designed to accommodate all ranges of connectivity. Naturally, multi-media rich applications will not work well across slower connections. Extension Coordination, cont.

13 Complementary efforts – FAQs (examples) AnswerLink – CSU, others Food Safety Answers – ISU Base to Build On

14 Aren’t others already doing e-Extension? Competitors? Partners? CYFERnet e-AnswersOnline EDEN States/groups of states

15 Change in culture - cooperation e-Extension

16 States, state legislatures nor Congress will see cash savings. Will help cope with current staff shortages. Doing e-Extension cooperatively = savings. > efficiency < redundancy Better customer service

17 Corporate sponsorships Grants and contracts CSREES Other agencies Fees Revenue generation?

18 Build awareness and interest; get the word out. Incentives for institutions ? Incentives for faculty ? Incentives for local/county faculty ? How to make it work?

19 Risks and potential benefits Risks Could fail -- funding Potential Benefits Funding – as a system World class program – no competitors Mission Intellectual capacity Trusted Local “retail” outlets

20 e-Extension