Posted on No Comments on ESP Lambda Chapter News – July

ESP Lambda Chapter News – July

  • NYS membership section of the national page is live and working good place to find members, take care of membership needs…and all things ESP Lambda 🙂 https://espnational.org/New-York-ESP-Chapter/ 
  • Upcoming picnic with ESP + 5-H’ers – Aug 10 at Myers Park in Lansing – noon – ? – reminder to come if you can — interested?  contact Celeste cjc17@cornell.edu
  • ESP 2021 National Conference attendees (Savannah, GA) Looks like we will be represented well!  Beth, Alicia, Mary Ellen, Bonnie, Celeste, Renee, Arlene, and possibly Sara Jablonski will be attending.  Early bird registration is up and ends on August 31 .  Bonnie is willing to be the voting delegate.  Multiple stipends available for participants –  awardees only get one stipend (highest value).  Anyone else interested?  Contact Bonnie Collins for info: bsc33@cornell.edu 
  • Professional Recognition Committee :  Alicia ordering frames and certificates and will craft the certificates.  Bonnie, Arlene and Celeste have each been honored as National award winners.  Alicia will do a write up of award winners; Renee can get on Belonging page on staff site, Extension Insider, and in Belonging newsletter; Celeste to put on blog.   Moving deadline for award nominations to November.
  • Next Officer’s Meeting:  Friday, August 27th at 8:30 a.m. 

Qs about ESP Lambda?  Contact Arlene Wilson aaw66@cornell.edu

Posted on No Comments on Extension Bookshelf Includes Resources on Evaluation, Urban Extension ++

Extension Bookshelf Includes Resources on Evaluation, Urban Extension ++

I am regularly surprised and delighted by the resources and references built through the collaborations involved with eXtension Foundation.  While eXtension has gone through many transitions, or you may say “innovations” over the years, one thing remains constant – it is run by and with the support of Extension colleagues and the firepower of our Land Grant Universities.

A recent find for me has been the eXtension Foundation Bookshelf (listed under the “TOOLS” menu on the main page of Extension.org as “eFieldbooks“).

The fieldbooks are authored by notable LGU Faculty and Staff and are downloadable for use/reuse.  The format is currently connected to LinkedIn Learning and while I understand it is undergoing a change to improve accessibility – it is even now a great place to find resources that are shareable across the LGU system.

Current titles include:

  • Extension Evaluation Matters
  • Opioid Response v1.2
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion v1.2
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion v2.1
  • Urban Extension v1.1
  • Resilient Agriculture: Weather Ready Farms v1.1
  • Bridging the GAPs: Approaches to Treating Water On Farms v1.1
  • Using Digital Technology in Extension Education v1.1
  • Mass Media: Sustaining Pollinators v1.1
  • Kemēcemenaw: Tribal Extension Partnerships That Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty on the Menominee Indian Reservation v1.1

Links: Extension.org; eFieldbooks

 

Posted on No Comments on Research partnership supports NYS families fighting opioids | Cornell Chronicle

Research partnership supports NYS families fighting opioids | Cornell Chronicle

Sometimes the media shares great examples of research and extension connecting and Extension extending…

Just in case you missed this article which focuses on the important work the Opioid PWT co-chairs Anna Steinkraus, Juliana Garcia, and Dr. Elizabeth Day have been working on for the last couple years.

Congrats to their team! We just wanted to share. Research partnership supports NYS families fighting opioids | Cornell Chronicle

Posted on No Comments on Summer Gathering – RSVP reminder :)

Summer Gathering – RSVP reminder :)

2021 Summer Gathering for 5-H and Epsilon Sigma Phi

When:           Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Where:          Myers Landing Park – Lansing, NY

Time:             12:00 (Noon)- til

Details:  

  • There is a $5.00 Entrance Fee per car to the Park.
  • There will be a $5.00 fee per person for lunch and Pavilion rental
  • Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass
  • We will provide a deli platter, rolls, beverage and paper goods
  • Everyone is asked to bring their own creative Name Tag and/or wear a Favorite t-Shirt
  • We have use of the pavilion for the whole day and you are welcome to stay and visit as long as you like

 

RSVP: By August 1, 2021

 

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer!

Posted on No Comments on ESP Lambda Chapter News in brief – June, 2021

ESP Lambda Chapter News in brief – June, 2021

  • New book review added to blog.  Written by Bonnie Collins, CCE Oneida +  Professional Development Chair.
  • ESP 2021 National Conference attendees (Savannah, GA) Looks like we will be represented well!  Alicia, Mary Ellen, Bonnie, Beth, Celeste, Renee, Arlene, and possibly Sara Jablonski will be attending.  Early bird registration is up and ends on August 31 .  Bonnie is willing to be the voting delegate.  Multiple stipends available for participants –  awardees only get one stipend (highest value).
  • Professional Recognition Committee :  Alicia ordering frames and certificates and will craft the certificates to get out by the end of July .  Bonnie, Arlene and Celeste have each been honored as National award winners.  Alicia will do a write up of award winners; Renee can get on Belonging page on staff site, Extension Insider, and in Belonging newsletter; Celeste to put on blog. 
  • Upcoming picnic with ESP + 5-H’ers – Aug 10 at Myers Park in Lansing.
  • Friend of Extension plaque was made and delivered to Dean Boor; took a few pictures and put it on the ESP facebook page .  
  • Cate Sirek will be retiring at the end of October of this year!
  • Next Officer’s Meeting:  Friday, July 23rd at 8:30 a.m. 
Posted on No Comments on ESP + 5-H’er Picnic Scheduled for Aug 10, 2021

ESP + 5-H’er Picnic Scheduled for Aug 10, 2021

Hopefully you are all doingMyers Park, Lansing well and your lives are beginning to return to a somewhat more normal existence.  It’s been great to gradually get out to see friends and family that we haven’t seen in person in over a year and getting all of us ESP members and 5-H’ers together this summer is on my mind.  We have reserved our usual pavilion at Myers Landing Park in Lansing for Tuesday, August 10 at noon.  I’ll send more details as we get closer to the date, but for now, save the date!  Looking forward to a good day with good friends.  (Written by Tom Dumas, Lead 5-H’er and friend to ESP)

Posted on No Comments on THIS IS MARKETING

THIS IS MARKETING

Seth Godin bookAs an extension educator with quality needed programing, I was confronted with low program participation.  I question, is it the program topic or the marketing of the program?

Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and a teacher. Through his renowned writing and speaking, Seth has launched one of the most popular blogs in the world.

What I respected most about this book, is it challenged me to think differently about my educational program design. Seth made me realize that my job is to create meetings and programs that encourage and support meaningful participation for every participant.

However, getting the participants in is he first step .

By: Bonnie Collins.  Bonnie is Ag Program Leader for CCE Madison County and  the  the Professional Development Chair for the ESP Lambda Chapter.

Posted on No Comments on National ESP Hosts Webinars the last Tuesday of the month at 1pm ET

National ESP Hosts Webinars the last Tuesday of the month at 1pm ET

Visit the ESP website to register for the webinars. https://espnational.org/Webinars

MAY 25, 1:00 PM ET: Innovative Methods to Evaluate Higher Learning by Youth
Presented by: Cindy Kinder, Theta Chapter, Idaho
New evaluation methods show Extension programs have impact on higher levels of learning. Presenters will explain evaluation methods of Group Mapping and TAPPS Video Methods including how to structure programs to facilitate participants ability to apply knowledge learned.

JUNE 29, 1:00 PM ET: Health Insurance Options for Farmers and Small Businesses
Presented by: Jesse Ketterman, Tau Chapter, Maryland
With high costs of health care and the negative impacts of COVID-19 with some farmers losing off-farm employment, farmers and small business owners struggle to identify reasonably cost health insurance. This workshop discusses various options and explores considerations when purchasing insurance.

JULY 27, 1:00 PM ET: Smoking and Grilling Foods
Presented by: Surine Greenway, Theta Chapter, Idaho
A cross-discipline, hands-on “Smoking and Grilling Foods” workshop was developed and implemented in Idaho. Co-taught by Family & Consumer Sciences and Agriculture Extension Educators, this two-part workshop focuses on meat science and selection, keeping food safe, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meat quality grades, and cooking methods.

AUGUST 31, 1:00 PM ET: Impacting Food Insecurity: Extension’s ‘Grow & Give’ Modern Victory Garden work
Presented by: Katie Dunker, Zeta Chapter, Colorado
CSU’s Grow & Give project sets the tone for what tangible impact looks like through a statewide initiative. Learn how you can:
• Impact food insecurity by engaging the public and volunteers
• Improve resources & access for growing food
• Establish new partnerships that will last beyond the pandemic

SEPTEMBER 28, 1:00 PM ET: Conflict and You: How to Deal with It!
Presented by: Jamie Morris, Tau Chapter, Maryland
Conflict is natural in almost all interpersonal relationships, but the ability to manage oneself or the conflict is not. Learning how to recognize a conflict and our conflict signals as they arise can help individuals to choose constructive responses that can leads toward de-escalation and potentially a more positive outcome.

Posted on 1 Comment on Deep Work (Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World)

Deep Work (Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World)

2020 was a mind-bending, challenging year for most.  A colleague recently recommended Deep Work, by Cal Newport as I complained that “man, there are so many things getting in the way of my big projects this year”.   I’ve been listening to this one as I walk the dog in the morning – and happy to say – I am inspired.

Newport connects research and practice in this book and shares some boots-on-the-ground suggestions for starting new habits and curbing some not-so-good ones.  In this promo, he shares, “When you’re trying to be productive, are you easily distracted by wandering thoughts or urges? Do you mindlessly open up your favorite website or app, craving novelty or fearing you’re missing out? Do you wish you could focus better, spending hours more per day driving toward your most important goals? Deep Work teaches you how to develop your focus and resist distractions. Focus is like a mental muscle – you need to structure training sessions and push yourself to your mental limit to increase your focus capacity. Implement the strategies in this Deep Work summary, and you’ll be more productive than you’ve ever been.”  Excellent resource, and tips.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World—Cal Newport. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2021, from https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/
Posted on No Comments on Research Published on Zoom Fatigue – Causes and Fixes

Research Published on Zoom Fatigue – Causes and Fixes

It might make you knowingly nod to hear that researchers have proven that Zoom fatigue is a real thing.   While I’m not suggesting that we don’t Zoom – frankly, Zoom saved our programs this last year – I am suggesting that we take note of known problems and solutions as we teach, learn, and connect.

Prompted by the recent boom in videoconferencing, communication Professor Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL), examined the psychological consequences of spending hours per day on these platforms.  The full article is here.  A summary can be found below:

1) Excessive amounts of close-up eye contact is highly intense.  Turns out that when someone’s face is that close to ours in real life, our brains interpret it as an intense situation.

Solution: Until the platforms change their interface, Bailenson recommends taking Zoom out of the full-screen option and reducing the size of the Zoom window relative to the monitor to minimize face size, and to use an external keyboard to allow an increase in the personal space bubble between oneself and the grid.

2) Seeing yourself during video chats constantly in real-time is fatiguing.

Most video platforms show a square of what you look like on camera during a chat.   Studies indicate that when you see a reflection of yourself, you are more critical of yourself. Many of us are now seeing ourselves on video chats for many hours every day. 

Solution: Bailenson recommends that platforms change the default practice of beaming the video to both self and others, when it only needs to be sent to others. In the meantime, users should use the “hide self-view” button, which one can access by right-clicking their own photo, once they see their face is framed properly in the video.

 

3) Video chats dramatically reduce our usual mobility.

In-person and audio phone conversations allow humans to walk around and move.  “There’s a growing research now that says when people are moving, they’re performing better cognitively,” Bailenson said.

Solution: Bailenson recommends people think more about the room they’re videoconferencing in, where the camera is positioned and whether things like an external keyboard can help create distance or flexibility. For example, an external camera farther away from the screen will allow you to pace and doodle in virtual meetings just like we do in real ones. And of course, turning one’s video off periodically during meetings is a good ground rule to set for groups, just to give oneself a brief nonverbal rest.

4) The cognitive load is much higher in video chats.

Bailenson notes that in regular face-to-face interaction, nonverbal communication is quite natural and each of us naturally makes and interprets gestures and nonverbal cues subconsciously. But in video chats, we have to work harder to send and receive signals.  For example,  if you want to show someone that you are agreeing with them, you have to do an exaggerated nod or put your thumbs up. That adds cognitive load as you’re using mental calories in order to communicate.”

Solution: During long stretches of meetings, give yourself an “audio only” break. “This is not simply you turning off your camera to take a break from having to be nonverbally active, but also turning your body away from the screen,” Bailenson said, “so that for a few minutes you are not smothered with gestures that are perceptually realistic but socially meaningless.”

University, S. (2021, February 23). Four causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their solutions. Stanford News. https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/