Evaluating internet technology in forestry education

Education and an informed citizenry are vital elements in helping society deal effectively and efficiently with issues and conflicts regarding increasingly scarce forest resources. The growth of the Internet has produced new educational opportunities. This thesis addresses the potential of using Internet technologies as an educational tool regarding forest resource issues. The study had two specific objectives. The first was to assess a fully Web-based course on Forest Issues of Tennessee and the Mid-South. This course was newly developed and first taught in the fall of 2000. The course was monitored during the semester and course participants completed a telephone assessment following the course. The second objective was to evaluate the potential of the Internet as an educational mechanism. Given their contact with citizens throughout the state, personnel from the Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service were surveyed to determine anticipated forestry education needs and the potential of the Web as an educational delivery mechanism. Results showed that the University of Tennessee can successfully conduct an on-line course that enriches awareness regarding natural resource issues. Extension Service personnel expressed a need for more distance educational opportunities. However, a lack of quality experience with distance educational formats has limited the acceptance of the mechanism by agents.