INTERNET MASTER PROGRAM EXPANDED INTO NODAWAY COUNTY IN 1997

The subject matter is new. The program delivery method has a history of more than 75 years of success.

Since the early 1900's University Extension has had a history of success teaching early adapters and community innovators about farming practices and family living practices that would improve lives. In turn, the early adapters and innovators tried the new methods and then turned around and taught their friends and neighbors about the new practices. Today the cutting edge subject matter is computer technology and the Internet.

The Internet Master concept was first piloted in Saline, Boone, Cooper and Pettis Counties in 1996 with the leadership and vision of Don Day, Maryann Redelfs and Cynthia Crawford, Central Missouri Regional Specialists. "Nodaway County is the seventh county in the state to implement Internet Masters program, thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of Beth Burke, Joe Lear and Rick Bottoms," explains program evaluator Cynthia Crawford.

Patterned after the Master Gardener program, Internet Masters attend a minimum of 30 hours of instruction on the Internet and facilitating community education. Internet Masters receive in-depth instruction on Internet service providers, E-mail, searching the World Wide Web, downloading files, creating a web page, using browser programs, virus protection, evaluating information from the World Wide Web and tapping into individual teaching and learning strengths. Following classes, the Internet Masters are to do a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer community education about the Internet within a year of completing the program.

"When we use the words Internet Master, we're talking about developing a mastery of the Internet. This is not just a quick, introductory learning experience," explains Joe Lear, coorganizer of the Nodaway County class along with Burke and Bottoms.

Twenty-four people enrolled in the Nodaway County class. A remarkable twenty-three graduated from the intensive ten classes and 30 hours of instruction.

Participants in the Maryville classes ranged from one teenager to learners in their 50's, with the greatest number of class members in their 40's and 50's. The class members had strong educational backgrounds. About 68% of the participants had an undergraduate degree and, in addition, about 25% had advanced college work. Women made up 75% of those enrolled. Statistical analysis reveals that there is no statistically significant difference in increase in knowledge and use of the Internet and increase in facilitating community education for age, education or gender. Both men and women, people of all ages and educational background in the Nodaway County Internet Master class were able to do well with the curriculum.

Ninety-five percent of the Nodaway County Internet Masters have a home computer. Sixty-five percent of the class members utilize a computer at work.

Prior to the Internet Master series of classes, learners reported a median of 3 hours per week on the Internet. During classes their use of the Internet more than tripled, to 10 hours per week. They projected that they will continue to access the Internet 9 hours per week after classes concluded. This is nearly an increase of 6 hours day per week on the Internet, long term. The Internet Masters found the information from classes to be usable and applicable both immediately and long term.

Is the curriculum effective? In a word, yes. A repeated measures design was used to compare the Internet Master's knowledge and use of the Internet at the beginning of class one and at the conclusion of class 10. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge and use of the Internet at the .0001 level.

In addition, the repeated measures design was utilized to compare the Internet Master's confidence in facilitating community education from the beginning of class 1 to the conclusion of class 10. There was a statistically significant difference in confidence to facilitating community education about the Internet at the .003 level, as well.

Internet Masters will fill out evaluations again at the conclusion of their 30 hours of volunteer community education. If the 1997 Internet Masters are consistent with the 172 that graduated from the program in 1996, they will find that their knowledge and use of the Internet and their confidence to facilitate community education will be further boosted by their volunteer hours.

Nodaway County Internet Masters are enthusiastic about their participation.

*The highlights have been learning so much and finding out I can do it! I've met some great people.

*I learned things that directly applied to my situation. A highlight was also designing the web page.

*If a person were thinking about enrolling in the Internet Master program, they should make sure to have Joe, Beth and Rich as their teachers.

*This is not a class for computer beginners. They mean it when they say Internet Masters.

*I'd advise someone thinking about the Internet Master program to "do it now!" Good class! Another class member said, "Definitely do it. It is an excellent experience."

*Great information, resources and teachers.

*1 have become much more confident in my knowledge (lots of "ah-ha"s).

(Programmers: Reita Beth Burke, Joe Lear, Rick Bottoms. Cynthia Crawford - evaluation and reporting)

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