Voices From the Field Nancy D. Schaff June 13, 2007

National Conference – Volunteer and Staff Workshop National Conference – Youth Workshop SET Liaison Training – Youth Focus Group National 4-H Curriculum Survey Open-Ended Questions Voices

Technology Accessibility Format Content Networking Five Common Themes

Technology – Integrate technology more effectively with curriculum delivery. Youth – Podcasts, 4-H TV shows Adults – Online trainings, CDs Five Common Themes

Accessibility – Make curricula and trainings more accessible. Youth – Curricula easily available directly to them Adults – Deliver more rapidly to system Five Common Themes

Format – Revise curriculum format to be easier to use. Youth – More exciting, colorful, less like a textbook Adults – Easy to use, ‘pack and go’ kits, core content with tips to adapt to multiple delivery modes Five Common Themes

Content – Revise curriculum content to be better suited for older youth. Adults and Youth – More in-depth content for older youth Adults – Continue to focus on Experiential Learning Model and life skill development Five Common Themes

Networking – Share expertise and knowledge between states and youth. Youth – Blogs, online communities Adults – National directory of resources Five Common Themes

When thinking about national 4-H curriculum products, what in your view would be MOST helpful in your work with local youth? National 4-H Curriculum Survey  720 responses!  By a margin of almost 2 to 1, the #1 comment was the need for relevant and updated content.  Other consistent comments were the need to make the curricula user- friendly, appealing, with lots of activities, and at a low cost.

National 4-H Curriculum Survey When thinking about national 4-H curriculum products, what do you find about the current products that is NOT helpful in your work with local youth?  667 responses!  Similar responses as with the previous question – current curricula is NOT helpful because it is not relevant, not easy to use or appealing and is too expensive.

The focus groups support what we have heard in the National 4-H Curriculum Survey – we need to update the curricula, make it relevant to today’s youth, easy to use for our volunteers, and keep the cost low. Summary