UConn Extension began exploring online learning long before the pandemic. The statewide outreach program began teaching classes online in 2018, with many of their 462 programs offering online options. Although the Covid landscape allows for more in-person events, UConn Extension plans to continue to offer multi-modal options to better serve as many state residents as possible.

UConn Extension’s mission is to connect state residents with UConn’s world-class research and education strengths. The organization is part of a national network of cooperative extension systems and is aligned with UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

The Extension Master Gardener program was one of the first extension programs to offer online learning. They recognized that their participants needed flexibility in their courses.

“We were really committed to meeting the needs of participants, so we hired a part-time educational technology specialist in 2017, long before Covid or closures became part of our lives,” says Bonnie Burr, deputy director and chef. of Extension Department. “It has helped us move programs online and into hybrid formats. Online options allow us to meet our audiences where they are and deliver programs to more people, pandemic or not.

Master Gardener staff have prepared online components for their annual certification program. They launched a hybrid course in 2018. The coordinators improve the online experience each year using participant feedback.

Participants can interact with e-learning content from home or another location. The software organizes course materials by week or by unit. There are three types of online courses, synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid. The synchronous courses take place in real time. They have live online sessions with everyone working the same schedule to meet weekly requirements. Learners in asynchronous courses work through the material at their own pace for a set time. Hybrid courses bring together the best aspects of synchronous and asynchronous courses. Learners have online content to complete at their own pace. There is also a live, in-person, hands-on, in-class session. Extension offered all three options, and many of their pre-pandemic courses were hybrid.

“We found that the hybrid model worked best for master gardeners. This allowed them to use their in-person class time for hands-on learning,” says Jean Madden-Hennessey. “It facilitated a better understanding of the course material and led to greater course satisfaction, which means residents are getting what they need from our program.”

Due to the success of the first online offerings, UConn Extension has added even more online courses and certificate programs:

• The master gardeners offers one course each year starting in January. The competitive program trains approximately 180 trainees each year. Participants become Certified Master Gardeners after completing all phases of the program.
• A Certificate Course in Vegetable Production is aimed at beginning and novice farmers with between zero and three years of experience. It provides all the information needed to successfully start vegetable production.
• People Empowering People Communities Facilitator Training (UConn PEP) is a 15-week course that trains program facilitators. After the program, participants lead UConn PEP Communities courses in their agency or organization. UConn Extension has developed an online version of the course in response to the pandemic. Due to its success, the online version will accompany future in-person classes.
• The DEEP Aquifer Protection Zone Training Program is a free online course for aquifer protection agencies in municipalities. It helps these stakeholders meet the training requirements of Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Act. The course provides an overview of the requirements and advice on how to comply with them.
• The Coastal Certificate Program is a joint project of Connecticut Sea Grant, the Master Gardener Program and the Long Island Sound Study. Topics rotate each year, with a focus on healthy soils and their impact on gardens, watersheds and the environment in 2021. The program includes at least four classes and a visit. It was put online because of the pandemic.
• A Ornamental and Turf Short Course provides training for individuals taking the Connecticut State Supervisory Pesticide Applicator Certification Examination. The online version debuted in January 2021. It consists of eight online modules along with additional learning materials.
• Let’s talk GMOs is an online certificate that educates participants about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The course explains the history of GMOs, politics, the spread of misinformation, and communication messages. It is an asynchronous course permanently available.
• Improving pasture management for sustainable livestock production was a webinar series offered through a Tri-State SARE grant in 2021. The series was moved online due to the pandemic. Participants had positive reviews of the program.

At UConn Extension, moving to more flexible options was a silver lining,” says Burr. “We appreciate the role that in-person and online learning offer participants, to enhance the experience and growth they have with us. Both will be integral to the educational outreach we offer now and in the future. coming.

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