Natural Resources
Distance Learning
Consortium
Gary R. Evans, Ph.D.
Director
Natural Resources Distance Learning Program
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Tech
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Natural Resources Distance Learning

Recent Study
– Initial sample of 300 US Universities
– 55% - listed Distance Learning courses
– <9% - listed Natural Resource courses
within their Distance Learning programs
– <5% - Universities sampled listing any
Natural Resource courses on line
Virginia Tech
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Key Word Search
Forest
Natural Resources
Range
Wildlife
Environmental Science
Fisheries
Recreation / Tourism
Soils
Conservation Biology
Ecotourism
Watershed
Water Resource
Natural Resources
Environmental Education
Wildland Fire Science
Meteorology
Conservation Studies
Statistics
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Virginia Tech
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THE NEED
Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
Report
– 50% of SES in natural resources can retire, now
– 45% of GS 14 – 15 in natural resources can retire,
now

Universities have opportunities
– Deliver natural resource education through non-
traditional learning technologies
– Significant need for professional degrees in natural
resources, eg. M NR, M For, M Interp, M GIS
Virginia Tech
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The Continuing Question

Why should a natural resources
agency employee’s education stop
the day they become employed?
–
William Woodland, USDA FS
Virginia Tech
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WHY?

What are Natural Resource employees
seeking?
– Single Courses

gain expertise for their particular job
– Certificate Programs
 gain expertise for their specific program
area
– Graduate Professional Degrees –
 professional growth and development
Virginia Tech
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Why Virginia Tech?

College of Natural Resources
– Joint Venture Agreement with USDA Forest
Service
– Developing courses to meet Agency needs
– Developing beyond traditional correspondence
courses

Institute for Distance and Distributed
Learning
– Among The Top Ranked in U.S.
– Delivering 24/7 – 365, World Wide
– 500 Courses on line
Virginia Tech
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Virginia Tech

Courses within the Joint Venture Agreement

Courses on-line for Fall 2007 - Spr 2008
– Upgrade to VA Tech academic and teaching standards
– Redesigning to distance learning instructional formats
–
–
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–
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Partnership and Volunteerism
Foundations of Public Land Management
Interdisciplinary Recreation Planning & Design/Develop
Global Issues in Natural Resources
Public Ecology
Natural Resource Law and Policy
Conservation Economics
Modern Wildlife Management
nrdlc.iddl.vt.edu
Virginia Tech
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Consortium?

New Opportunity
– Develop a Consortium to create and deliver
courses via Distance Learning

University limitations to meet rapidly growing
demands
–
–
–
–
Time
Faculty
Funding
Physical infrastructure
Virginia Tech
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Consortium? Who?

Universities
– They develop and deliver on-line courses

Federal, State and Local land managing
agencies
– They have employees seeking education

Non Governmental Organizations
– They have employees seeking education

Professional Societies
– They set standards for certification and
accreditation
Virginia Tech
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“community of interest”

Natural Resources Distance Learning Consortium
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Virginia Tech – College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho – College of Natural Resources
Northern Arizona University – College of Forestry
University of Montana – College of Forestry and Conservation
Penn State University - World Campus
Stephen F Austin State University - College of Forestry
University of Tennessee - Martin - College of Agr Sciences
Oregon State University - College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University – College of Natural Resources
Mississippi State University
USDA Forest Service
DOI Bureau of Land Management
DOI National Park Service
National Wildland Fire Management Academy
Army Corp of Engineers
Virginia Tech
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Consortium Advantages


Develop certificate programs (12 – 15 credits)
Provide unique curriculum –
– Certificates in Graduate Studies
– Graduate Professional Degrees
Build on existing programs strengths
Deliver education to a broader student base
Provide flexibility to working professionals seeking
education
 Combine top faculty & best available courses
 Provide a venue to broaden available curriculum



– upper division
– graduate programs
Virginia Tech
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Strategic Goals

Provide for working professionals
– Natural resource courses,
– Certificate of graduate study
– Degree opportunities

Provide Broad Suite of Courses
– On-Line
– Meeting non-campus education needs

Utilize existing on-line courses
– identify courses where needs exist
Virginia Tech
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Strategic Goals

Identify on-line courses opportunities
– Meet student needs
– Where faculty shortages exist or
– Courses are not offered

Augment curriculum requirements
– Utilize on-line courses

Provide common entry point
– Students access consortium
– Access courses where they are located.
Virginia Tech
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Agency Needs

Price sensitivity - Travel and Lodging cost reductions

Blended education program development
–
–
On-line delivery, video technology, field programs
Collaborative approaches:

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On-line Modules & Field Modules
Pre & Post on-line modules with Intensive classroom component(s) at National
Training Centers (Phoenix & Shepherdstown)
Field methodologies –
Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management --Wildland Fire Management

Wilderness management - Carhart Wilderness Center

Upper division undergrad courses with grad courses?

Training Modules - non-degree/non-credit course modules?
Virginia Tech
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Today’s Learner – A Market Survey

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21% have taken an online course
60% interested in taking online course in next
3 years
52% want undergrad courses
31% want graduate courses
15% want special interest courses
11% want certificate programs
96% have internet at home
80% have internet at work
Virginia Tech
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Today’s Learner – A Market Survey

Leading Barriers?
– Student Finances
– Not enough time

What’s important?
– On-line resources
– Contact with faculty
– Transfer of credits
– Year-round availability
– Length of time
Virginia Tech
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THANKS !
Gary R Evans, Ph D
Director, Natural Resources Distance Learning Program

National Capital Region

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College

Northern Virginia Center

Falls Church, Virginia


Virginia Tech
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