form options for ndsu extension & rec's
TRANSCRIPT
Form Options for Extension and REC’s
Sonja Fuchs, Web Technology SpecialistAgriculture Communication
Fall Conference 2015
Why Online Forms?
• Easier for your client. Make it simple, quick and easy.
(From two REC’s): “These contracts are done in a Word document as a form. The client has to download the contract onto their computer, fill it out and either email it back to us as an attachment, mail or fax it to us. This system works just OK for obvious reasons. We would like to simply the system to where a potential seed company or their representative could submit the entries online (submit button, if you will) without first having to save the word document onto their computer, fill it out then attach it to an email or mail or fax it back to us.
…We need to simplify this process and we need your help/suggestions.”
• Easier for You!– No more paper management
Tom Kalb, Extension Horticulturist (2014)
1. Junior Master Gardener applications- Electronic submission made it easy for projects to apply. It also provided an image of professionalism for our organization. All funds were distributed in a matter of a few weeks; in the past we needed to send out repeated calls for applications and took several months.
2. Potato Pirates Project - In this youth project, we received over 300 requests for potato research kits in three weeks. We could have distributed thousands if we had such funds available. We allowed mail-in registrations, but only received four. The public is comfortable with electronic submission.
Tom Kalb, Extension Horticulturist (2014)
By demonstrating this demand, we can justify our funding from the state legislature. Perhaps we can get some more in the future.... 3. Spring Fever Garden Forum - We used Google Forms to accept online registration. We gained over 400 registrants from all 53 counties in the state; these registrants took the training on their home computers. We used this information to provide these gardeners with links to the trainings and its educational handouts. We are using this list to distribute the NDSU Yard & Garden Report and promote other programs in the future.
Tom Kalb, Extension Horticulturist (2014)
County agents used Google Forms to accept Spring Fever Garden Forum registrations for training at their local county offices. This online registration freed agents and their staff from mailing out brochures, taking registrations over the phone, etc. It also gave agents a good idea on how many handouts to prepare for each session. These e-mail lists are now available to agents for use in the promotion of future programs. 4. I am using Google Forms to help interested gardeners subscribe to the NDSU Yard & Garden Report. I am just starting this push now. My goal is to get 100 new subscribers this month. 218 as of June 2015
Not only easier for client, easier for you!
No more managing papers! Can sort easier online, make mailing lists or spreadsheets.
Image from Camilo Rueda López on Flickr
Form Options
Qualtrics example
Google forms examples
Here’s what a list of sign-ups looks like in Google Forms
Ag CMS Form Folder Example
Final notes about forms at NDSU
• If having an event, YOU MUST ask if people need reasonable accommodation to view/hear you: http://bit.ly/1ZyzpZM
• If you want to collect money for an event online, skip all these options and do them in NDSU Marketplace to make sure they are compliant
Resources
• Form Folders in Ag CMS: contact Bob ([email protected]) or Sonja ([email protected])
• Google Forms: contact Bob or Sonja or online training at https://www.google.com/forms/about/
• Qualtrics at NDSU: http://ndsu.me/qualtrics