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LET'S COMMUNICATE
Agriculture Communication Newsletter
August / September 2008, No. 152


Contents

Let's Communicate Schedule Changes
Customer Satisfaction Input Needed by Sept. 10
Videoconference Scheduling Now Through Linda McCaw
Write the Right Word
Statements on Printed Materials
Three-ring Binders for Sale
Cameras Available for Checkout
September eXtension Professional Development Opportunities

Let's Communicate Schedule Changes

This e-newsletter from the Ag Communication department typically has been distributed at the end of the month it's dated -- though I admit it's often early the next month. However, since we want to make you aware of eXtension's professional development opportunities for each month, Let's Communicate now will be distributed early in the month. Please let me know if you have suggestions for how Let's Communicate can better inform and educate you.

Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu

Customer Satisfaction Input Needed by Sept. 10

So far, 91 people have completed the Ag Communication customer satisfaction survey. If you haven't completed this short survey yet, please do so at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ruZK0poQAgc8d8lYoFvGPA_3d_3dby the end of the day Wednesday, Sept. 10. Thank you for this important feedback that will help Ag Communication better serve you.

Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu

Videoconference Scheduling Now Through Linda McCaw

Videoconferences for Agriculture and University Extension faculty and staff now should be scheduled through Linda McCaw, Ag Communication administrative assistant. Be sure to:

  • confirm that the site is available. Linda's scheduling software doesn't say if there's a meeting in a room; only if the videoconference equipment is booked. Don't be the person who doublebooks a room. Confirm availability.
  • fill out the videoconference scheduling form at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/videoconf/videoconferencing.html and e- mail it to Linda at least one week before the event.
  • ask ahead of time if you need help running the videoconference equipment.

Linda McCaw, (701) 231-7881, linda.mccaw@ndsu.edu

Write the Right Word

Writers strive to make their work as strong as possible. The best way to do that is to use strong words. One example is the use of “because,” “since” and “as.”

“Because” is the most specific of the three. It always indicates an unequivocal causal relationship. For example: “He drove to town because he needed to buy groceries.” “I gave her half of my sandwich because I could not eat the whole thing.”

“Since” isn’t a good substitute for “because.” The reason is that “since” indicates a duration of time; “because” does not. The best way to use “since” is to indicate the beginning point of an action. For example: “Smith has been department chair since 1989.”

“As” is the least acceptable substitute for “because.” A good reason to avoid “as” in this situation is it can lead to confusion. Here is an example: “I didn’t hear her come in as I was concentrating.” Does the sentence mean I didn’t hear someone else come into the room because I was concentrating? Or does it mean I didn’t hear this other person enter the room while I was concentrating?

One other note on “because”: You don’t need a comma before the word in a sentence. “I put on my sweater because I was cold.”

Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu

Statements on Printed Materials

NDSU's non-discrimination must be included on printed materials:

North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam Era Veterans status, sexual orientation, marital status, or public assistance status. Direct inquiries to the Executive Director and Chief Diversity Officer, 202 Old Main, (701) 231-7708.

In addition, accommodations must be offered for in-person programs and alternative formats for printed materials:

Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations to participate in NDSU-sponsored programs and events. To request an accommodation, please contact (person or department sponsoring the event) at (phone or e-mail) by (specific date) to make arrangements.

This publication will be made available in alternative format to people with disabilities upon request, 701-XXX-XXXX.

Becky Koch, (701) 231-7875, becky.koch@ndsu.edu

Three-ring Binders for Sale

Ag Communication has extra three-ring binders of various sizes and colors for sale at about half the regular price. Some have the front, back and spine clear pockets. Contact Linda to learn what's available.

Linda McCaw, (701) 231-7881, linda.mccaw@ndsu.edu

Cameras Available for Checkout

Ag Communication has a video camera and an SLR digital camera Agriculture and University Extension faculty and staff may checkout for work use. Contact Linda for reservations.

Linda McCaw, (701) 231-7881, linda.mccaw@ndsu.edu

September eXtension Professional Development Opportunities

Professional development sessions from eXtension are free through http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/learn and your telephone. Join the session 5 minutes before the starting time.

30-Minute Sessions -- Each session is at 1:00pm Central Time/noon Mountain Time unless otherwise noted.

* Sept. 9 -- Sharing Images using Flickr. Join this session and start sharing your photos with others. The Extension photographers group was created as a way to share images for use with eXtension content and more. We will cover the basics in setting up a new account, uploading images, joining groups and adding your photos to groups.

* Sept. 18 -- The new Ask eXtension Widget. Receive and answer questions directly from your county Extension web site or blog. This widget adds question- asking capabilities to your site, but uses the power of the eXtension Ask an Expert and FAQ systems to assist you in answering. Take questions from your clients, and use the 40,000 questions in the FAQ system to assist you in providing a timely and accurate answer. Check out the new widget tracking feature that allows you to name the widget and monitor questions coming from your site. Also learn about the new widget routing capability that will allow you to have questions routed to you from your widgets.

* Sept. 24 -- Moodle. Learn about the Modular Object Oriented Learning Environment known as Moodle, eXtension's learning management system. Hear what Moodle is; learn how eXtension is making it available; see examples of the types of education you can design, develop and deliver; and listen to lessons learned.

* Sept. 25 -- InstantSurvey: Distributing a Survey (Session 2) This session will focus on distributing an online survey using the InstantSurvey Web-based application and be useful to Extension professionals considering a Web-based survey application.

* Sept. 30 -- Getting Started with eXtension 101: The FAQ App. How to start from scratch and get involved with the eXtension Frequently Asked Question tool. This session will be geared toward non-users (or brand-new users) who want to know "why" they should use this and "how" to make it happen.

Longer Sessions

* Sept. 10, 1-2 p.m. Central Time -- Accountability led by Floyd Davenport, Information Technology Officer, Iowa State University Extension. We will discuss John Miller's book, "The Question Behind the Question (QBQ)". QBQ outlines an approach to improve your organization, meet goals, build teams and develop a more positive culture through personal accountability; eliminating negative responses to situations and focusing on your own capabilities to contribute to a solution.

* Sept. 15, 1-2 p.m. Central Time -- In-MoodleMeet: Lessons Learned. This will be the last MoodleMeet online chat held. To join the MoodleMeet, go to http://pdc.extension.org/mod/chat/view.php?id=913. Moodle users should sign up for the e-mail list (https://lists.extension.org/mailman/listinfo/moodle-users) to receive and contribute to Moodle information and knowledge.

Second Life Experiences

* Sept. 12, Second Life Meet-up -- 11:30-12:30 SL time (Pacific), 2:30-3:30 ET. See the exciting things going on in-world on Morrill Island and find out what was learned at the recent SL Education Conference. Meet at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Morrill/165/136/29

* Sept. 22, Avatar Express 9:00-10:00am Second Life Time, 12:00-1:00 ET. Basic orientation for new newbies. Meet at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eduisland/60/46/21

* Sept. 26 Second Life Meet-up -- 11:30-12:30 SL time (Pacific), 2:30-3:30 ET Meet at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Morrill/165/136/29

* Sept. 29, Avatar Express 9:00-10:00am Second Life Time, 12:00-1:00 ET. Basic orientation for new newbies. Meet at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eduisland/60/46/21

* Sept. 29 Monday Mashup 5:00-7:00pm SL time (Pacific), 8:00-10:00 ET. Social event for Extension folks and the SL public held at the Virtual State Fair Midway Bandstand. Live Music. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Morrill/132/4/24

Let's Communicate

Past issues and topics from Let's Communicate are at www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/letscomm/letscomm.htm. If you have questions or comments, or would like to submit information or make a suggestion forLet's Communicate, please contactme.

Becky Koch, Director, Agriculture Communication
Morrill 7, North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105-5655

Phone: 701 231-7875, Fax: 701 231-7044

Please note my new e-mail address: becky.koch@ndsu.edu