This document provides an overview of an online training session for Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) support staff. The purpose is to teach participants how to help clients find answers to their questions or connect with experts. The training will cover how to search the MSUE website and eXtension's Ask an Expert system to find answers or ask questions. It will also review how to search two other eXtension sites and typical topical websites for information. The session is participatory, with hands-on exercises for participants to practice the skills. Useful handouts will also be provided.

1. Finding Answers in eXtension
A Guide for Support Staff (as Digital Information Brokers)
Cooperative Extension Systems in every state across the country help people improve their lives through an
educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. This mission is
accomplished in many ways. One way is by providing reliable, research‐based answers to the myriad of
questions we receive from our constituents daily, on the phone and in person as they visit our offices
around the country. A powerful source of information is available to you through eXtension.
What is eXtension, and how can clients use it to find information?
eXtension is a national, internet‐based collaborative system that enables Land Grant University content
experts to exchange research‐based knowledge, build knowledge repositories, and link with the public to
help solve real challenges in real time. There are three main ways to tap into this resource:
1. Use the Ask an Expert (AaE) system.
What is AaE? AaE is a national online system for asking questions and receiving answers quickly on a
broad range of subjects. Experts are Extension Faculty from Michigan State University and from
universities across the country.
How can I use it? Use it to find answers to specific questions you are asked when there isn’t an expert
immediately available. You can find the AaE button at the main eXtension site:
http://www.extension.org/, in the right column. Click(1) it, type in your
question, add a picture if you choose, then click(2) “Search for an
Answer.” You’ll get a list of links to articles and previous answers that
have your search words in them. If none of these is relevant, click(3)
“Send to Ask an Expert”. Then fill in the information asked and click(4)
“Submit my Question.” Four clicks, and you’ll receive an answer by
email, hopefully within 48 hours.
2. Search the data base at http://www.extension.org/. This contains information contributed by
over 46 Communities of Practice. On the right of the orange bar type some key words in the ‘Search’
box and see what you can find.
You can also search by resource area topics under ‘News’, ‘Articles’, and ‘Answers’.
3. Search the data base at http://www.extension.org/search. This contains URLs to websites and
documents from almost 1,000 Cooperative Extension sites from 74 Universities. Type your key words
in the search box.
Questions? Contact: Lela Vandenberg Jerry Thomas Terry Meisenbach
MSU Extension OSU Extension eXtension
vanden34@msu.edu thomas.69@osu.edu terry.meisenbach@extension.org

2.
This handout is available online at:
http://tinyurl.com/dibs2012

3.
How to Help Clients with Questions:
Finding MSUE Experts AND Finding Information in eXtension
An Online Training for MSUE Support Staff
Dr. Lela Vandenberg
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist
Michigan State University Extension
Description: The purpose of this one‐hour session is to provide MSUE’s frontline personnel with the
knowledge and skills necessary to help clients find information, answers to their questions, or Michigan
experts they can talk to. Participants will learn
 how to find Michigan experts on various subjects
 how to search for an answer or ask a question in eXtension’s Ask an Expert system
 how to direct clients to two other eXtension searchable sites—Search.ext.org, Public Site
 which topical websites are good sources of information
The session will be participatory and hands‐on, with a limit of 10 participants per session. Each participant
will have several opportunities to search for information or people. Useful handouts will also be shared.
Handouts
 Getting Started with eXtension
 Finding Answers in eXtension: A Guide for MSUE
 Find an Expert AND Ask an Expert (bookmark for the public)
Process
In advance, send the Adobe Connect session link, the three handouts listed above, and the agenda with the
MSUE website link, the eXtension public link, and the Search CES link.

4. 1. Welcome Layout
 Welcome people; comment on the poll and chat pod intros
 Go over the agenda & goals. Tell them that I see their role as one of information broker, i.e.
they’re like librarians, helping direct people to sources of information, but not necessarily
finding the information for them.
 Explain that I’ll be asking them to do things on various websites, and then asking them to come
back in the room. Make sure they know how to find the room.
2. AC logo Layout
 Show the logo and make sure they know to come back. May be a tab in their browser.
3. Sharing Layout
a. MSUE Info
 MSU information—share screen of MSUE website: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/ . Show the
search box and search for 4‐H, then go to 4‐H website.
 Show “Find an Expert” button, click, and show them the site
PRACTICE: Have them go to the link (put in chat pod), and search for someone in their district
who knows about field crops. Give them 3‐4 minutes and then have them report.
b. Ask an Expert
 Have them go back to the AC Room. Share screen and show them the AaE button. Ask:
How many of you have used AaE to ask a question for a client? Did you get an answer?
 Then share screen, ask a question, and show them where it goes and how it gets assigned
and answered.
PRACTICE: Ask a simple question in AaE that can be answered with a word or phrase. Tell
them it would help to identify themselves when they’re doing that, e.g. This is ____from the
____ office. A client has this question….
c. eXtension Site
 Share screen of eXtension website: http://www.extension.org/ . Tell them that this is
where the many ‘Communities of Practice’ have websites and links to all sorts of info.
 Use the search box to find information. Try ‘honey bee nutrition’ and see results. Tell
them they can also search topics under ‘News’, ‘Articles’, and ‘Answers’.
PRACTICE: Go to the link (put in chat pod) and search for something a client might ask about.
Give them 3‐4 minutes and have them report.
d. Cooperative Extension Search
 Share screen of CE Search: http://www.extension.org/search. Search for ‘drought in
Michigan’. Also show ‘institutional partners’.
PRACTICE: Have them go to the Site (put in chat pod) and search for something a client might
ask them about. Give them 3‐4 minutes and then have them report.
4. End Layout
 Have a poll pod with a wrap up question.
 Have a file share pod for them to download the handouts if they don’t have them.
 Ask if they have any more questions. Thank them for participating and ask them to fill out
a very short Survey Monkey.
 Have survey link in weblink pod and send them to it.