Engage Classroom and Extension Audiences to Maximize Learning Outcomes

To design an effective learning environment one must first understand their target audience. Today’s teaching and Extension programs address a wide range of audience types and ages that expect information to be delivered in different methods and formats. A clear understanding and implementation of the most optimum delivery formats can be especially challenging for Extension educators who serve such a diverse clientele ranging from elementary children to senior citizens. Modern classrooms contain older students and are not solely composed of traditional age learners. The classroom age range may not be as great as Extension clientele but the delivery and format of material is just as challenging. We will discuss the different audience types with respect to how they behave and learn. We will apply what we know about these audiences to optimize various learning environments while sharing opportunities like learning management systems, customer relationship management software, and tools for audience participation. How to integrate mobile devices and tools in today’s teaching and Extension program environment will be actively demonstrated by those attending. We will also discuss what communication tools can be used to distribute information as well as have current real-time subject matter information delivered to you as an Extension or teaching professional. Innovation and change is continual in today’s academic world. We will share tools and steps to assist you in developing innovative processes, systems, programs, or develop technologies that improve, develop, or create new products, systems, services, or processes, large or small, to deliver better results, create value for people and move your teaching and Extension programs forward. Storytelling has emerged as a very visual and interactive way to document learner outcomes and impact and is fast becoming the primary way to share successes. We will share examples of storytelling and tools used to create them.