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Re: [GWL]: Looking For A Writing Vehicle

I preface my statements by reminding people that the Internet is
worldwide. There is the possibility of people in other countries, who
communicate in English, to participate. However, I am discussing a
concept designed to satisfy a USA market for horticultural information
via the internet in my musings.

Given my background in commercial agriculture/horticulture and
education, I view the potential internet market for horticultural
information to have several options:

1. A form of distance education affiliated with accredited
botany/horticultural institutions that would provide college credit.
Such an effort would be highly structured because of its nature, but
could combine regular on-line courses associated with courses at brick
and mortar institutions and/or could be self paced courses without
credit that involve personalized educational programs using the internet
to put the instructor and student together. Computer Assisted
Instruction (CAI) would be the cornerstone of both programs. 

When I first started to develop this concept at my college, the only
options the existed were Hypercard for the Macintosh, Toolbook for
windows, or Authorware, a high end cross platform authoring system that
would run on either platform. Today it is possible to use html programs
to construct CAI projects that will run on the internet or from CDs.

Credit courses would typically require several tests and a term paper
based upon research and interviews. The emphasis would be on developing
problem solving skills of the students. The course syllabus would
necessarily meet specific criteria if credit is to be obtained towards a
degree. Students could also enroll for credit/no credit option that is
ungraded and would not count towards a degree program.

This program must have a detailed set of written educational goals and
objectives with performance based tests to measure the progress of the
learner. Prerequisites for specific classes would be established as part
of this process.

Many people object to the time involved as being an overkill for their
needs and prefer a more direct question and answer system. 

2. A question and answer system would be organized around "Fact Sheets"
designed to answer the most commonly answered questions. Some answers
require a very specific "Job Aids" approach in which the steps to
accomplish specific horticultural tasks are explained in detail starting
at the beginning and breaking down the tasks into discrete tasks from A
to Z. The approach is to observe people who have expert status and
record their actions to perform the target task. Instructional designers
can these individuals "water walkers" or people who can walk on water.
The approach in this case is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) and don't
provide any more information than is necessary to achieve the primary
instructional goal.

It should be possible to have a staff of people who could be available
at specific scheduled times to answer email questions. People skills
would be essential and frequently the staff person would need to help
refine and define more specific questions that could be answered using
the database of information developed for the site.

Packets of information could be downloaded and assembled in 3 ring
binders.

3. Two to four hour on-line real-time demonstrations/conferences can be
conducted to appeal to people available during the day and evenings for
those who work. These programs could be ordered on CDs for people who
don't have access to the Internet that supports real-time video
streaming.

4. Magazine style articles and archives along the lines of Organic
Gardening, Horticulture, American Horticulturists, National Gardening,
Fine Gardening, Kitchen Gardening, etc.

5. Objective reviews on gardening suppliers, products, and plant
suppliers organized along the lines of Consumer Reports - purchase all
of the products without disclosure of the testing so that unbiassed
information could be provided. A great way to cull out deceptive
advertising claims and report on how a company handles its customer
complaints.

6. The editorial page would provide an opportunity for both sides of
important horticultural related issues to be discussed. Members could
provided their input in a moderated environment.

7. Seed and plant material exchange would provide a means for private
individuals to network and trade their surplus plants - no sales and
only a reasonable postage/ handling fee would be allowed if the
recipient is unable to participate in a trade. All payments to be
accomplished using PayPal or some similar electronic bill paying
program. The burden would be on the participating parties to confirm to
all state and federal plant regulations.

6. Only gardening and horticultural related topics would be incorporated
into the site. I view the harvest, storage, and preparation of fruits
and vegetables to be related topics.

Views on political topics relating to bills and regulations affecting
horticulture could be addressed on the editorial section only. Religion,
social issues, and other topics would not be considered for inclusion in
the site.

I encourage a discussion of these ideas. Please offer constructive
suggestions and comments to support or refute the concepts I have
outlined.

Claude Sweet
San Diego, CA

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