The document discusses the experience of offering virtual technology boot camps for Cooperative Extension Educators. Previously, face-to-face boot camps were held around the state and covered various topics through hands-on activities and demonstrations. Due to reduced travel budgets, virtual boot camps were offered in 2009. Two virtual boot camps were held in June and December 2009 on topics such as computer practices, SharePoint, and photo manipulation. Participant feedback indicated that while the virtual format saved travel time, hands-on learning was less effective than in a computer lab. Limiting class sizes and offering beginner and advanced levels were suggested for improvement.

1. PEG
At NETC 2008 the Penn State Educational Technologists presented a session on how
to develop, deliver and evaluate a Technology Boot Camp for Cooperative Extension
Educators. Throughout 2008 we continued to offer face-to-face Technology Boot
Camps.
Then, in 2009 we went virtual. During this 45 minute session we will discuss our
experiences in conducting virtual Technology Training Boot Camps and share tips on
what worked and what didn’t work.
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2. PEG
Here are a few things we’d like to share with you today, PLUS we’d like to hear from
you.
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3. PEG
In the past we have done face-to-face IT Boot camps throughout the state.
Most were hands-on with a few demos or discussion sessions
We have offered various topics (blogs, Multimedia Presentations with Adobe
Presenter, Better computer practices, podcasting, wikis,
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4. PEG
With our travel $’s becoming less and less the NE region decided to go Virtual
They asked 1st!
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5. SHERRY
For US:
Consider the network limitations, how that might affect the sessions we could offer,
the hands-on practice they could do
Develop a plan to ensure all participants knew their PSU password so they could
access the meeting room (get to a signature station if not)
Working with them to understand why they needed to congregate in conf room and
what was needed in the room
- Projector, Internet connectivity for at least on computer (more if
user’s were bringing their computers)
Reminder emails with instructions for connecting and accessing class materials
Time to support/assist in getting the conference rooms set-up and test the
audio/video in the room
(click)
For THEM:
Pick their sessions
gathering in conference room w/ laptop, projector, network connection
Have computer moved to conference room for hands-on practice
Know the necessary passwords (PSU to get into AC, CAS to get into SP, etc.)
Be prepared with class files/guide equipment
Have necessary software installed on computers and accounts (ie. Blogger, SM)
created
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6. SHERRY
You can see the different tracks we did for the 2 different days.
(click again to see the #’s)
June 2, 2009
10:30-noon - Marketing Best Practices - 48 participants
Afternoon - Choose one of these:
• Computer Best Practices (2 hours) - Vince & Peg - 25 participants
• Using SharePoint More Effectively (2hours) - Sherry - 16 participants
• Create a Multimedia Presentation with Adobe Presenter (2.5 hour
session) - Jacki -- 9 participants
December 9, 2009
Photo Manipulation- 47
SharePoint Tips & Tricks - 47
Online Survey Tool - 16
We had to drop the Create a Blog session for the Dec 9 camp but I offered it later in
January.
Jan 8 - Create a blog for the ones registered but didn't offer during camp - 8
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7. Jacki
It did work!!!
We had two camps with different topics -- June 2 and Dec 9, 2009
More people attended 2nd camp
They started thinking about what they needed for their conference rooms to do this
again
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8. Jacki
Limit class size…participants registered for sessions, but class sizes were not limited. At the
first camp, we got lucky and the participants were well distributed among the classes. The
second camp we were not lucky and we had 50 register for a single session. We knew that
one instructor could not handle that large of a group with hands-on materials. We ended up
having to change the schedule around, move some people to different sessions, etc. to
accommodate.
People need to read - participants didn't read enough to realize the class wasn't for
beginners.. Messages were not relayed to participants
- needed to be in the conference room for the session to see Instructor & AC
- needed to go back to their individual offices to do the Hands-on due to limited # of
connections in conference room (this was for the SP and Online Tools sessions) work in
groups. others in my office aren't as advanced as i and were lost. i had to keep leaving my
office to help them.
Beginning and Advanced levels
If we would have had a staff member who could have helped the beginners - it would have
been much better. Maybe in the future have all staff attend one session in the am and one in
the pm. That way we could help each other, and everyone could use a projector screen.
Distance learning does save the travel time.....however, not as effective a being in a
computer lab and having everyone sit in front of a computer and apply the techniques
reviewed
Evaluation comments:
Dec 9
Photo Manip: I felt that we should have worked in groups. I was more advanced then others.
I could have assisted others but was unable to do so when you're in your own office. Also, the
tips sheets are pretty self explanatory.
Photo Manip: A beginning level and a advanced level was needed.
SharePoint: This session was very well done. Having the class post things to the training site
so the class could see it up-date in real time was a great learning technique
SharePoint: It was very fast and confusing for a first time user. It probably didn't help matters
that we had three desk top computers all in the same room, speaking at different rates of 8

9. Jacki
Thanks for coming!
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