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USING ELECTRONIC STUDENT RESPONSE SYSTEMS AT THE GREAT PLAINS GROWERS CONFERENCE

Extension Education

Tim Baker
REGIONAL HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST (NORTHWEST)
GALLATIN

Abstract

The Great Plains Growers Conference is a multi-state conference held annually in early January in St. Joseph, MO. Its first year was 1996 and it now attracts around 700 participants over three days. Paper evaluations were included in registration packets from the beginning, but compliance was lacking. While there is good information obtained using paper evaluations, they do not provide much information about the nature of conference participants and their farming operations. To get that kind of data would require a much longer survey, which would result in less compliance. In 2009 an interactive and instantaneous evaluation method was implemented: an electronic student response system that employs handheld ‘clickers’. The survey was conducted right before the keynote address, when the most participants could be reached. Information gathered included the participant’s state, level of production, demographic data, income from the farm, organic vs. conventional, and more. The information gathered from the clicker survey has been invaluable for making programming decisions for future conferences. Conference organizers have, for example, learned that a great majority of attendees consider themselves organic, and farm relatively small acreages. This survey has been used for five years. Compliance is 100% of those who are present and receive clickers. Audience reactions to the results are also interesting, since the numbers voting for each selection are displayed immediately. Complete information about the conference can be found at: http://www.greatplainsgrowers.org/

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: T. P. Baker, S. Gu, K. J. Metzgar, T. R. Fowler, J. T. Quinn, P. L. Byers
  1. Baker, T. Northwest Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 64640
  2. Gu, S. State Horticulture Specialist, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina, 27411
  3. Metzgar, K. Northwest Regional Director, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 64507
  4. Fowler, T. Northwest Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 64507
  5. Quinn, J. East Central Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65101
  6. Byers, P. Southwest Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65807