Professional Development

This publication is created to provide tips and suggestions on ways you can use the Zoom platform to implement successful online community education programs. It takes readers through visual illustrations of pre-meeting, during-meeting, and post-meeting features that can be used to seamlessly educate your clientele, collect feedbacks and extend outreach by broadcasting your programs on social media. Authors: Dhruti Patel and Mona Habibi; Title: Visual Guide for Using Zoom for Community Education Program (EM-9)

During 2020, the COVID 19 Pandemic forced University of Maryland Extension (UME) into teleworking. Although UME offices were closed, programming continued. To support staff and faculty in programming for the general public, a rapid response group was assembled to address distance learning and teaching needs. Faculty and staff insights of the experience are shared which could have implications on future Extension programming approaches. Authors: Jeff Howard, Amy Rhodes, and Chenzi Wang; Title: Continuing Extension Programming During a Pandemic: University of Maryland Extension Adapts to Dynamic Learning (EBR-58)

People with leadership roles in agricultural operations have the opportunity to benefit from good conflict management processes. When people are passionate about what they are doing, differing opinions on how to do something will arise, making conflict an inevitable part of any worthwhile endeavor (Bennett, 2023). While you probably can't eliminate all disagreements, developing your conflict management skills can increase efficiency and improve employee retention. This fact sheet will provide you with actionable skills to take back to your team. Authors: Taylor Kinniburgh and Neith Little; Leadership and Conflict on the Farm (FS-2023-0671)

The Beginner’s Guide to Birding & Citizen Science is a self-paced, online class with seven modules that provide participants with information and tools for youth interested in birding. Each lesson provides an interactive presentation, a class discussion, and additional resources. Author: Torrey Silliman; Title: A Beginner’s Guide to Birding & Citizen Science (WB-2022-0643)

Extension Educators have been delivering research-based content to the community for over a century. These informal learning experiences for youth and adults are designed to be relevant, timely and age appropriate. Educators are considered experts in their respective content area and the community depends on their knowledge. Preparation for learning experiences is important for extension educators. The time and care that is taken align to University goals and meet intended learning objectives can make a difference in the amount of skills attained by learners. The tools presented in this document are designed to help the extension educator make written plans for single workshops, multi-session workshops, seminars, and short courses. The tools are intended to be easy to use across program areas and encourages efficient teaching. Author: Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins; Title: Planning Tools and Methods for Extension Educators (FS-1195).

A recent innovation in faculty retention has been to encourage tenure-track faculty who will be going up for tenure together to form a cohort that will work together throughout the tenure process. This cohort serves as a support network and a professional community of practice. The 2021 Cohort of University of Maryland Extension and authors of this brief found that the initiation of the cohort and the dedication and commitment of the cohort members are both necessary to make the cohort model a success. This fact sheet documents the group's plan of action through year 1, provides lessons learned and helpful hints and a highlight for year 2. It is intended to help future tenure track cohorts navigate a similar path and perhaps lessen the stress along the way. Authors: Jamie Morris, Neith Little, Alexander Chan, Andrew Kness, and Jesse Ketterman. Title: A Tenure Track Cohort Case Study (FS-1103)