Talk:FD-ENT

Farm Bill Project: “Development of an online-interactive Train-the-Trainer First Detector Entomology Educational Program for County Agents.”

Kick-off conference call Nov 15, 2010.

1. Participants in call: Natalie Hummel (LSU AgCenter), Dennis Ring (LSU AgCenter), Krisanna Machtmes (LSU AgCenter), Karen Nix (LSU AgCenter), Amanda Hodges (UF), Stephanie Stocks (UF), Joe LaForest (UGA), Keith Douce (UGA), Frank Hale (UTenn), Hannah Burrack (NCSU), Mark Abney (NCSU), and Mike Ferro (LSU AgCenter – possible associate on project pending HRM approval).
2. Purpose of project – grant documents were revisited to explain the purpose of the project:

We propose to develop a train-the-trainer general entomology training course for use by First Detector Educators (e.g. County Extension Agents, Master Gardeners) and first detectors (e.g. Border Inspectors and homeowners). Our long-term project goal is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of arthropod identification – particularly increasing the detection of invasive species by first detectors. This county agent training is urgently needed at this time for the following reasons: 1) an increasing rate of retirement and replacement, 2) expanding responsibilities of agents beyond traditional commodity assignments, 3) time and funding constraints that prevent attendance at agent trainings, and 4) the very real threat of, and need to quickly identify, invasive species.

Our project has two primary objectives:

1. Development of twelve Bugwood WikiIPM webpages that will educate users on how to identify members of arthropoda, including insect orders. We will emphasize key pests and invasive species in specific commodities (including specialty crops).
2. Development of a series of twelve train-the-trainer online interactive First Detector Educator eLearning modules on the orders and families of insects hosted in the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) first detector training website (http://cbc.at.ufl.edu/). An emphasis will be placed on identification of exotic, invasive species.

1. Joe LaForest demonstrated the bugwood wiki system and the image database.
   1. Joe has already created a place for our content with module topics as outlined in the proposal. He also has a template up and running for us to use.
   2. Everyone needs to create a login and request approval to be a scholar in the system.
   3. Joe also demonstrated the image embedding potential of bugwood wiki system.
   4. Images from bugwood can be used in modules and wiki pages, and we will also deposit images as they are generated for modules
2. Amanda Hodges and Stephanie Stocks demonstrated the NPDN e-learning system.
   1. Amanda introduced us to the system and showed the chili thrips modules
   2. Amanda and Stephanie will assist with technical support when we begin developing modules
   3. A template ppt will be created that can be used as we develop modules
   4. Modules should include learning objectives, images, video content, questions and interactive swf flash files.
3. Identification of leadership on modules (there are twelve modules we will develop, please identify which effort you would be willing to lead). The module leaders will organize the work and start looking for content to include in the modules (images, videos, key identification characteristics, etc.)
   1. If Mike is hired for the project he already has content to meet the first five general topic modules
   2. Arachnids - Stephanie Stocks and Mike Ferro
   3. Hemiptera – Frank Hale
   4. Thysanoptera – Amanda Hodges
   5. Coleoptera – Mark Abney and Chris Carlton
   6. Diptera – Hannah Burrack
   7. Hymenoptera – Karen Nix
   8. Isoptera, Blattodea, Phthiraptera, and Siphonaptera – Dennis Ring
   9. Lepidoptera - Hummel
   10. We still need a leader for the following topic: Orthoptera.
4. Discussion about associate hiring in Louisiana (candidates will be selected for interview before the call) and how this person will serve to build content and coordinate team projects.
   1. There were two applicants for the position. One applicant did not have the minimum qualifications. Hummel is in the process of hiring Mike Ferro – still requires approval through HRM. Mike is in the process of earning a PhD in insect taxonomy with a focus on Coleoptera.
5. Other discussion – areas for collaboration
   1. Keith Douce indicated that videos on invasive species will be built this year through a NIFA grant, we can embed in our modules as appropriate.
   2. Keith Douce and Joe LaForest are leaders of a new extension.org community of practice on invasive species. There will be cross-posting of content on the CoP homepage to encourage use by the public.
6. Team meeting at ESA meeting (if you already planned to attend ESA).
   1. We will meet in the lobby near the registration desk at noon on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. Will probably walk over to the mall to grab lunch
   2. The following individuals indicated they would attend:
   3. Frank Hale, Keith Douce, Amanda Hodges, Hannah Burrack, Mark Abney, and Mike Ferro.
   4. If you plan to attend, please send me an e-mail (nhummel@agcenter.lsu.edu) or call 225-223-3373.
7. We will begin major work on the project after January 1, 2011. In the meantime, please start thinking about content for wiki pages and modules.