Poster presentation for annual meeting of American and Canadian Societies of Animal Science

1. 1University of Maryland Extension, Keedysville, Maryland
2University of Maryland Extension, Boonsboro, Maryland
Abstract
USING WEBINAR SHORT COURSES TO EDUCATE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCERS
Susan Schoenian1* and Jeff Semler2
Webinars can be an effective teaching tool. In 2011, the Maryland Small Ruminant
Extension Program initiated webinar short courses as a means of educating sheep and
goat producers. Ten short courses, consisting of 2-6 webinars each, were held over a 6-
year period: 1) Special topics (2016); 2) Pasture management (2015); 3) National Sheep
Improvement Program (2015); 4) Health (2014); 5) Ethnic marketing (2013); 6)
Breeding (2013); 7) Hoof health (2012); 8) Nutrition (2012); 9) Worms (2011); and 10)
Ewe/Doe Management (2011). Short courses were promoted via newsletters, web
sites, social media, and a listserv. Each webinar lasted for ~1 hour. Additional time was
allotted for questions. Interaction was via a chat box. Most webinar participants logged
in from their home computers. Some attended group meetings. Live participation
ranged from 26 to 86. Total live participation was 3264. Participants were from
numerous states, provinces, and countries. All webinars were recorded and converted
to YouTube videos (in 2015). Accompanying PowerPoint presentations were uploaded
to SlideShare. To date, YouTube and SlideShare views total 22,167 and 212,199,
respectively. Follow-up surveys showed that 90-100% of webinar participants learned
something new that they planned to apply to their small ruminant enterprises. On a
scale of 1-10 participants rated the information presented in the webinars as useful
(8.5-9.5), easy-to-understand (8.6-9.4), and interesting (8.8-9.5). On-average, webinars
increased subject matter knowledge by 26%. Webinar short courses have proven to be
an excellent tool for educating small ruminant producers.
Introduction and Methods
Results
More Results and Conclusion

2. Introduction
USING WEBINAR SHORT COURSES TO EDUCATE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCERS
Susan Schoenian1* and Jeff Semler2
Methods
As extension budgets have continued to dwindle, faculty have had to adapt by
embracing new teaching technologies. One such technology is a webinar. A webinar
is a seminar conducted on the internet. Interaction is usually via online chat.
Participants can go to a central location to participate in a webinar or they can log-on
from their own home computers. Webinars offer many advantages over traditional
teaching methods.
Sheep and goats are popular small farm enterprises. To be successful, sheep and
goat producers need to be knowledgeable about health, nutrition, breeding,
marketing, and other aspects of production. Webinars are a suitable teaching tool
for small ruminant producers, especially those that may lack local extension
expertise.
The Maryland Small Ruminant Extension Program initiated webinar short courses in 2011
using the university’s Adobe Connect license. Each year, 1-2 short courses were held in
the winter or spring months. Over the years, the webinars covered almost all aspects of
small ruminant production. Each short course consisted of 2-6 individual webinars, which
were related to a common theme. Susan Schoenian and Jeff Semler were the primary
instructors, but some webinars included invited guest speakers, including some
international experts. Some webinars were done in collaboration with other institutions
or organizations, including the University of Maine, The Ohio State University, and the
National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP; nsip.org).
Each individual webinar lasted for approximately 1 hour, with additional time allotted for
questions. All interaction with participants was via a chat box. The webinars were
promoted via web sites, newsletters, social media, and a listserv. Currently, there are
over 500 subscribers to the webinar listserv. Participants were able to log-on via their
home computers. Some webinars were broadcast at group meetings organized by
extension agents or 4-H leaders. According to surveys, 14-59% of log-ons had more than
two participants.
All webinars were recorded. In 2015, all webinars were converted to YouTube videos and
a YouTube channel was established for the University of Maryland Small Ruminant
Extension Program. The PowerPoint presentations that accompanied the webinars were
uploaded to SlideShare. Links to recordings and PowerPoint presentations were provided
by the webinar web page and listserv.
Abstract Introduction and Methods Results More Results and Conclusion SlideShare YouTube

3. Results
USING WEBINAR SHORT COURSES TO EDUCATE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCERS
Susan Schoenian1* and Jeff Semler2
From 2011-2016, ten webinar short courses were held. Live participation in individual webinars ranged from 26 to 85 and totaled 3264. According to webinar polls, webinar participants
were from many counties, states, provinces, and countries. The majority of participants were small producers, having fewer than 30 ewes or does. Participants included hobbyists, as
well as commercial producers and veterinarians. Production interests varied (meat, dairy, fiber, or 4-H), indicating the webinars were serving a broad base of producers.
Year Series (theme) # webinars Live participation YouTube Views* SlideShare Views*
2011 Management 6 445 2619 37392
2011 Worms 4 161 1768 35257
2012 Nutrition 6 773 2528 32042
2012 Hoof health 2 112 NA 16462
2013 Breeding 5 346 4531 38986
2013 Ethnic marketing 4 243 642 5976
2014 Health 5 367 3642 22696
2014 NSIP 6 207 681 8133
2015 Pasture 5 291 3443 9418
2016 Special topics 6 319 3912 9541
Abstract Introduction and Methods Results More Results and Conclusion
* Updated as of 6.12.18

4. Results
USING WEBINAR SHORT COURSES TO EDUCATE SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCERS
Susan Schoenian1* and Jeff Semler2
Follow-up surveys were used to evaluate the webinars and determine teaching impacts. As a result of their participation, 90 to 100 percent
of webinar participants learned something new that they planned to apply to their small ruminant enterprises. On a scale of 1-10
participants rated the information presented in the webinars as useful (8.5-9.5), easy-to-understand (8.6-9.4), and interesting (8.8-9.5).
Participants were asked to rate their subject matter knowledge before and after they viewed the webinars. On-average, webinars increased
subject matter knowledge by 26%.
Year
Series
(theme)
#
surveys
Learned
something
new
Information was Knowledge level
Useful Easy to understand Interesting Pre Post
2012 Nutrition 33 97% 8.9 8.9 9.1 5.6 7.8
2013 Breeding 31 90% 8.8 8.6 9.5 4.3 7.0
2014 Health 50 92% 9.5 9.4 9.5 5.8 8.0
2015 Pasture 21 91% 8.5 8.9 8.8 5.6 8.8
2016 Special topics 33 94% 8.8 8.2 9.1 4.2 8.3
Conclusion
Webinar short courses have proven to be an
excellent teaching tool for educating small
ruminant producers who may lack local
extension assistance. They have extended
the reach of the University of Maryland
Small Ruminant Extension Program.
Feedback from producers indicates that the
webinar program is very popular and should
be continued.
Abstract Introduction and Methods Results Results and Conclusion Webinar web page