Archive for the ‘Professional Development’ Category

Extension Professionals’ Creed – Inspirational Video

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

It is nice to take a step back every now and then and reflect on our profession and why we do the work we do. After conducting a series of focus groups with Extension employees recently, I was thinking about what a dedicated and passionate group of professionals we have in Extension. One of the things the professionals I met with talked about was how important it was for them to believe in the work they do.

This commitment of Extension professionals is summarized well in the Extension Professionals’ Creed. Written in 1922 and adopted by Epsilon Sigma Phi in 1927, the creed is as relevant today as it was nearly 90 years ago.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service has created a nice video with Extension professionals bringing the creed to life.  Take two minutes to listen to our colleagues from Texas and and reflect on what it means to be an Extension professional.

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OSU Extension Lunch & Learn – June 2009

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Faculty, staff, and students are invited!

Want to upgrade your skill sets and enjoy time with colleagues? Interested in learning new tools to enhance the quality of your work, improve productivity and make life easier?

Come and join us for food, fellowship, and learning. This series focuses on introducing and discussing innovative ideas for our work as Extension professionals. We meet from 12-1 with a 30 minute program on various tools. June dates, topics, and formats include:

  • June 11 – Building surveys in Livewire – Face-to-face in Room 105 Ag Admin Building – Bonnie Scranton will demonstrate how to conduct free, online surveys using Livewire.
  • June 25 – Using Basecamp for project management and online sharing – Face-to-face in Room 105 Ag Admin – Jerry Thomas & Jim Elder will demonstrate key features of Basecamp for managing projects and collaborating with colleagues electronically.

Bring a lunch and beverage and join us for a fun time!

Please post ideas for future topics here. We have had requests to do some of the sessions electronically and will plan to offer some e-Lunch & Learn dates in the future.

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Action Leadership Retreat to be held in April and November, 2009

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Designed for educators (or others with similar responsibilities) with 18 months to three years experience, the Action Leadership Retreat is a professional development opportunity built around simulated on-the-job experiences. Led by a facilitator and two experienced Extension professionals who are trained as observers, ALR is designed to help you evaluate and reflect on your skills in twelve key areas (e.g., conflict management, communication, and interpersonal skills) important for success as an Extension professional.

Your peers have good things to say about ALR. One former participant said:

“By far the most productive in-service I have

ever been involved with.  Excellent faculty, well-planned program.”

Space is limited and registrations will be accepted until we reach capacity!

For additional information and to register, go to:

http://extensionhr.osu.edu/resources/newemp/alrinfo2009.pdf

Graham Cochran

OSU Extension Human Resources

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Training and Professional Development: What’s the difference?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

The other day my colleague walked up to me and asked in a rather soft tone, what’s the difference between training and professional development?  My response was simple–there was really no difference. Training was a sub part of professional development. Professional Development comes in many forms and may cover a broad range of goals and objectives. According to Moore(2003), professional development is often considered the main way adults receive support in adult learning or education. For example, if Extension HR wants to increase my knowledge in new tools of technology such as the Moodle, WebEx, Podcasts, etc, the organization will simply offer me an opportunity for training. I will then go ahead and attend a training course. In my view, that’s an aspect of professional development.

Do you see any difference?

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