Topics:

• Distance Education / Continuing Education
• Satellite Teleconferencing
• 1999 Newsletters Distributed

Distance Education / Continuing Education

As the world prepares to enter a new centuryçand a new millenniumçdistance and continuing education are becoming an increasingly important part of Penn State's mission. It's not surprising that in this information society driven by the speed of technological change, lifelong learning has become an everyday reality.

Locally, the Pike County Cooperative Extension office has worked collaboratively with the Penn State Worthington/Scranton Campus to offer educational classes locally for residents needing credits. In the past year classes in "Strategies in Classroom Management," "Innovative Teaching Strategies" and "Cooperative Learning" have been offered in Pike County.

Additionally, we have assisted Worthington/Scranton in advertising additional classes, held in Scranton that would be of particular interest to our residents. These include: SAT Preparation Review Course, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault: Training for Healthcare Providers, "Catch the Bug" Camp, and various certificate offerings, including the new Webmaster Certificate.

Satellite Teleconferencing

Satellite teleconferencing has become a fundamental component to the cooperative extension means of relaying information. This year we downlinked 66 programs, with several of these being taped for the following agencies and organizations:

Pike County Planning
Wayne Family Center
Pike County Probation
Pike County Jail
Delaware Valley School
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Mercy Community Hospital
Pike County Sheriff’s Office
Pike County Emergency Management
Pike County Center for Developmental Disabilities

1999 Newsletters Distributed:

The Golden Opportunity –Grandparenting–A quarterly newsletter to assist grandparents in developing strong bonds with their grandchildren.

Diabetes Lite Line –A bi-monthly newsletter with the latest information on diabetes, nutrition, the diabetic exchange system, recipes and important events.

Food and Nutrition Notes–A quarterly publication which distributes up-to-date information on nutrition and issues revolving around it.

Healthier Weighs –A quarterly newsletter written by extension agents and other staff of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences who have expertise in the areas of weight management, health and fitness.

New Direction News–The 1,200 families receiving the New Directions newsletter learn about extension program opportunities, and receive updated information on food and health issues, youth development, financial matters, community development news, outdoor living information, and ways to help build strong families.