Check this schedule for the listing of upcoming topics for professional development. These sessions are open to anyone in Extension, and you're all welcomed to participate!
If you have suggestions for topics that are not currently listed, please let Beth Raney know!
Past Professional Development Opportunities
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| topic | description | date | recording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelleraney | 03-31-2009 | ||
| 30 Minute Session: Ask eXtension Widget 2 | How to use the Ask eXtension widget to receive and answer questions directly from your county Extension web site or Extension-related blog. This widget adds question asking capabilities to your site, but uses the power of the eXtension Ask an Expert and FAQ systems to assist you in answering. Take questions from your clients, and use the 40,000 questions in the FAQ system to assist you in providing a timely and accurate answer. Check out the widget tracking feature that allows you to name the widget and monitor questions coming from your site. Also learn about the widget routing capability that will allow you to have questions routed to you from your widgets. This session will introduce you to the tool, show you the latest features developed, and will discuss what is necessary to begin using it immediately in your own county sites and blogs with helpful tips. (for all Extension) | 07-14-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p29706858/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Why Can't Google Find My Stuff? | We get asked on almost a daily basis, "Why can't I find my article when I search for it with Google" (or any other search engine). This session will hone in on the major reasons content is not found, and discuss concrete things you can do to try to fix the situation. Warning: Some of it you may not want to hear. (for all Extension). | 07-07-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p46458067/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Making FriendFeed your Friend - Part 2 | This follow-on session will introduce you to FriendFeed's most powerful features: lists, filtering, advanced search, groups, and those extra add-ons that make it's use so enticing: widgets, book-marketlets, and cross-posting to other social networking sites. (for all Extension) | 06-23-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p85121070/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Discussion and Q/A of the Ask eXtension Widget | If you are currently participating in answering questions that come from any of the Ask eXtension Widgets, this will be a great discussion to be involved in. This session will focus on answering questions that you might have on the Ask eXtension Widget or the Ask an Expert system in general. We'll share tips and recommendations for using the Ask an Expert system and discuss surrounding topics. (for all Extension) | 06-18-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p68955118/ |
| 30 Minute Session: The Ask eXtension Widget | How to use the Ask eXtension widget to receive and answer questions directly from your county Extension web site or Extension-related blog. This widget adds question asking capabilities to your site, but uses the power of the eXtension Ask an Expert and FAQ systems to assist you in answering. Take questions from your clients, and use the 40,000 questions in the FAQ system to assist you in providing a timely and accurate answer. Check out the widget tracking feature that allows you to name the widget and monitor questions coming from your site. Also learn about the widget routing capability that will allow you to have questions routed to you from your widgets. This session will introduce you to the tool, show you the latest features developed, and will discuss what is necessary to begin using it immediately in your own county sites and blogs with helpful tips. (for all Extension) | 06-16-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p98513341/ |
| 30 Minute Session: How to Answer Ask an Expert Questions | With expertise in so many areas, extension gets asked many questions! More and more are coming from the public via eXtension's Ask an Expert form on www.extension.org and through Ask eXtension widgets. This session will take you step by step through answering questions, and some of the guidelines to keep in mind. (for all Extension) | 06-11-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p40931850/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Social Bookmarking | How to keep your team on the same page without burying them in email... Social bookmarking is a great tool for reducing email, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, and increasing team efficiency. The emphasis will be on delicious but other options will be shown. (for all Extension) | 04-23-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p14235384/ |
| 30 Minute Session: eXtension 101 for Imported Fireants CoP | eXtension 101 for Imported Fireants CoP | 07-12-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p86704069/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Getting Involved with Wikipedia | Getting Involved with Wikipedia | 01-27-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p85321236/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Widgets | Widgets | 12-06-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p53135911/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Instructional Video and Screencasting 101 | How to put together videos for consumption via YouTube and other video sharing sites, the tools they use, their workflow, and other tips and tricks, and get you started down the road to producing your own. | 03-25-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p24144045/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Why Atom? | Why Atom? | 10-18-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p58367512/ |
| 30 Minute Session: RSS to Atom | RSS to Atom for IT Staff | 10-26-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p73799521/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Starting Feeds? Use Atom! | tarting Feeds? Use Atom! — what’s it take to create Atom feeds for news and/or other content? (targeted to IT Staff) | 12-07-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p61769716/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Feeding Frenzy - an introduction to Web syndication | Feeding Frenzy - an introduction to Web syndication | 12-13-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p51525211/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Twitter - Easy Way to Microblog and Be Social | Twitter is a presence, communication and social technology. It is a way to have short, disjointed conversations, maintain relationships, share information, and have fun. Additionally, Twitter has been used in emergency situations, such as during the San Diego fires. NASA also used Twitter to describe their recent mission to Mars http://blog.twitter.com/2008/06/nasa-twitter-and-news-from-mars.html. Twitter is easy, immediate, and easy way to connect, converse and learn. This session describes Twitter, shows how it works, and gives a few examples of Twitter being used by several Extension colleagues across the country to communicate inside and outside of the Extension community. (For all Extension) | 07-17-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p86156664/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Tagging | It seems like everywhere you go on the Internet today someone is asking you to tag things. This session is targeted for people just getting started with social networking software, and is designed to get you off to a good start, and to help you avoid the most common pitfalls. | 01-24-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p93061297/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Introduction to using Microsoft SharePoint for internal collaboration | This 30 minute session covers the basics for getting started with SharePoint for team collaboration; demonstrating out-of-the-box capabilities and a walking through a few example sites. (for all Extension) Professional Development session offered in partnership with the ACE IT SIG. | 08-07-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p54068654/ |
| 30 Minute Session: SlideShare for Collaboration and Online Learning | Slideshare (slideshare.net) is sort of like a YouTube for sharing presentations. Agents and specialists are always looking for ways to share their slideshows, and Slideshare is an easy, powerful, and free solution. It’s also an effective environment for fostering online learning. This session will show you everything you need to know to get started with Slideshare, and discuss how this technology can be used for collaborative work across the Cooperative Extension System. | 09-19-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p98187081/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Introduction to Second Life | Multi-user virtual environments such as Second Life (http://www.secondlife.com/) are growing in popularity. Learn what Second Life is and how it is being used. Some experts have predicted that 80 percent of active internet users will be using this type of environment by the end of 2011! Why not spend just a half hour in 2007 to learn more about it so you’re better prepared? | 09-11-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p31238920/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Using OpenID | Are you tired of creating a new account on every web site you visit? Do you not sign-up for new sites because they require you to create yet another account? Do you go to sites and can't remember your login, password, or both? OpenID is a new technology that aims to solve these problems. Everyone with an Extension ID already has an OpenID. Come to this session to learn how it works, and about the growing list of Web sites where it can be used. Once you go OpenID you'll never want to go back... (for all Extension). | 02-12-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p69514141/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Jabber | Jabber — eXtension’s enterprise chat application | 01-31-2007 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p56215360/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Google Spreadsheets to Conduct Surveys | A Google Spreadsheet is an easy and convenient way to create a survey, and to collect, share, and analyze your results. For instance, you might use one to collect your colleagues' preferred dates and topics for a meeting agenda, or to evaluate and educational program from a survey embedded on your Website. This session will show you a very powerful, but also very easy method to conduct surveys. All in just 30 minutes-- it's that simple. | 11-13-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p61094551/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Google Sites | In February 2008 Google released a new wiki tool called Sites which is included in the Google application suite. The Sites application is derived from JotSpot, which was purchased by Google in 2006. Sites, allows users of the Google application suite to create wikis that may be edited by other Google apps users and may be made publicly viewable. While not as robust as an application like MediaWiki, Sites looks to be a promising tool for allowing users to create and manage a wiki, without knowledge of wiki markup conventions. This presentation will give an overview of Sites and demonstrate setting up and managing a wiki using the tool. | 03-25-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p96338221/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Google Presentation | Google Presentation is a new tool introduced in September for the collaborative development of slideshows. It is cut from the same cloth as Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets and shows great promise as a new collaboration technology. Participants will be given an introduction to the tool's use, discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and see how this tool can be used to facilitate online learning. | 10-31-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p77256386/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Google Collaborative Search Engine | This session will show you how simple it is to use Google search technology to create a free Custom Search Engine that reflects your knowledge and interests. It will also show you the Cooperative Extension CSE, teach you how to place a custom widget on your own site, and show how you can participate in a collaborative environment to further customize and make it better. | 04-09-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p25681622/ |
| 30 Minute Session: FriendFeed - You Learned to Share in Kindergarten | The web has become more social; with new connections and communication methods come tools that one should consider to help themselves become better playmates on the web playground. This session will take a close look at FriendFeed and why you should consider making it part of your digital workflow. Viewing "Secrets of Social Networkers" before this session would be beneficial. (for all Extension). | 08-27-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p20211468/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Flickr | Sharing images using Flickr and the Extension Photographers Flickr group | 09-09-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p84678380/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Facebook | Now you can have a Facebook account too! What used to be open only to students has been opened to everyone. Find out what Facebook is all about and learn how it took over the college campus. Is this the social networking utility for you? This is an introductory look at Facebook, its networks, groups, event calendars and how they can be used by Extension professionals. | 08-22-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p69533284/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Engaging Communities on Their Own Turf - Secrets of Social Networkers | This session shows tips and tools that people use to discover and monitor online conversations. It focuses on the filtering mechanisms used to surface emerging conversations, and strategies for Extension educators to use to begin to engage with learners in communities of their own choosing | 07-31-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p79426457/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Drop.io for Filesharing and much more | Drop.io for Filesharing and much more | 02-19-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p60209588/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Creating Web Applications with User-Centric Design | The barriers to building web applications have never been lower. Individuals and small teams can create, deploy and test a web application in as little as a few months, weeks or even days. This iterative process gives designers and developers a chance introduce small changes over time and constantly refine the end product. This is a look at web application development from a design and user interface point-of-view. | 08-21-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p97226053/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Blogging | So you think you want to be a blogger? How you can use blogging to enhance your educational programming? What’s involved, how it’s done, and how to get started. Participants will be exposed to several blogging tools with an emphasis on Blogger.com, Google’s newly revamped blog hosting site. | 05-20-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p60812266/ |
| 30 Minute Session: MediaWiki - Questions and Answer | MediaWiki - Questions and Answers | 09-21-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p27213931/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Metadata for the Wikis | Metadata for the Wikis | 06-07-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p42218300/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Lists in the Wikis | Lists in the Wikis | 06-27-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p60285840/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Links in a MediaWiki | Links in a MediaWiki | 09-19-2006 | http://breeze.extension.iastate.edu/p64737683/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Manipulating Images in the Wiki | Manipulating Images in the Wiki | 12-05-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p41673760/ |
| 30 Minute Session: MediaWiki Finishing Touches | Using templates for final stylistic touches in the CoP wiki | 03-27-2007 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p42562058/ |
| 30 Minute Session: MediaWiki Bare Essentials | We'll cover the basics you need to get started working in an eXtension wiki. Whether you're part of a Community of Practice, helping to copy-edit articles in CoP wiki, or working in Collaborate wiki, join us so you can get started! (for all Extension) | 02-06-2008 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p81129569/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Making FriendFeed your Friend - Part 1 | FriendFeed is a service that makes it easy to share with your friends online. It offers a fun and interactive way to discover and discuss items of mutual interest. It falls into the genre of an aggregation and filtering tool. This session will show you everything you need to know to get started in sharing your own information. In Part 2 next month, we'll show you how to use it to intelligently sift thru piles of information to find only those things of most interest. (for all Extension) | 05-27-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p85121070/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Discussion and Q&A for Ask eXtension Widget | If you are currently participating in answering questions that come from any of the Ask eXtension Widgets, this will be a great discussion to be involved in. This session will focus on answering questions that you might have on the Ask eXtension Widget or the Ask an Expert system in general. We'll share tips and recommendations for using the Ask an Expert system and discuss surrounding topics. (for all Extension) | 03-10-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p57181684/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Testing of Closed Captioning Service for Web Conferencing | On April 7th, during Aaron Hundley’s presentation on The Ask an Expert widget, we will be testing a new closed captioning capability within Adobe Connect. In this session, you will notice a new window down near the bottom of the screen. This window will display the scrolling text of the presenter audio. There will be an option in the window for you to increase or decrease the font size or to turn off the scrolling text. We are excited to test closed captioning within our web conferencing service and the ability to reach a broader audience. | 04-07-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p31995762/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Categories in the Wiki | Categories are the primary mechanism for navigation that to lets you find what you're looking for at the right time in a wiki. (for CoP leaders & members, and all Extension) | 04-16-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p19759737/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Tables in Mediawiki | Sometimes the information you're sharing in your wiki article will be better understood if displayed in a table. A WikiTable is an arrangement of columns and rows used to organize and position data. We'll show how to use a table in the wiki, syntax to build a table, and where to find more help. (for CoP leaders & members, and all Extension) | 05-20-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p75038595/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Evaluate Your Content with Google Analytics (by Category!) | Google Analytics (GA) reveals tons of information about which pieces of content perform the best on the eXtension Public Site. However, until recently, it was only possible to look at performance for all content or single pieces of content. If you wanted to find the top-performing piece of content in a specific category (eg. fire ants), you were out of luck. This all changed last month, and you can now use GA to drill down to a specific category. Come learn how to use GA to find your best (and worst) performing content. You will learn about bounce rate, the power of links, traffic sources, organic search keywords and how to get this information emailed to you from GA on a weekly basis. You have to have a Google account to access Google Analytics. (for CoP leaders & members, and all Extension) | 05-12-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p46295255/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Ask eXtension Widget | How to use the Ask eXtension widget to receive and answer questions directly from your county Extension web site or Extension-related blog. This widget adds question asking capabilities to your site, but uses the power of the eXtension Ask an Expert and FAQ systems to assist you in answering. Take questions from your clients, and use the 40,000 questions in the FAQ system to assist you in providing a timely and accurate answer. Check out the widget tracking feature that allows you to name the widget and monitor questions coming from your site. Also learn about the widget routing capability that will allow you to have questions routed to you from your widgets. This session will introduce you to the tool, show you the latest features developed, and will discuss what is necessary to begin using it immediately in your own county sites and blogs with helpful tips. (for all Extension) | 05-07-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p89534846/ |
| 30 Minute Session: eXtension Mentor Series - Creating Learning Lessons | In this 30 minute session, an established CoP will cover how they plan, outline and implement learning lesson development. They will discuss some of the multimedia tools and technology they use including things like Google maps, Captivate, video, options for adding accessibility to your lessons, and more. (for CoP leaders & members, and all Extension) | 05-05-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p28483008/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Advanced Google Analytics | Now that you're familiar with the basic features and tools in Google Analytics, it's time to learn more advanced features. Come discover Advanced Segments, Goals and Custom Reports to get the most out of Google Analytics. (for all Extension) | 03-31-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p89736337/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Subversion Clients Roundtable | A demo and discussion of various client applications/interfaces for subversion, a centralized version control system. (for all Extension) | 03-26-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p73308961/ |
| 30 Minute Session: Using Facebook for Professional Networking | Users will explore different features that Facebook has to offer. We will explore how many Extension professionals are utilizing social networking to connect to peers and clients. Also learn how to set your privacy settings to limit the information that others have access to. (for all Extension) | 04-01-2009 | http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p55807677/ |
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