Internet Volunteers Multiply Community Resources

Civic volunteerism is a password and hands-on experience is a key. That's what William Van Buskirk, Superintendent of the Wiley School District in southeast Colorado, found intriguing when he signed up for the Colorado Internet Masters Program.

The program--a 30-hour, "hands-on" course offered throughout the state--invites participants to increase their skills and multiply local course impacts through volunteerism by sharing Internet-related knowledge. Interested citizens commit to one of two types of volunteer service in exchange for a reduced course fee. Those who complete the course and their subsequent volunteer commitment receive certification from the program.

The Colorado Internet Masters Program is an educational and civic volunteer program of the Colorado Rural Development Council, Colorado State University Extension, Small Business Development Centers, the Colorado Rural Technology Academy and partners. A team of volunteer trainers guides participants through ten lessons including Web searches and information evaluation, e-mail use, electronic commerce, and designing a Web page. Course participants receive extensive materials. Internet novices and more experienced users alike gain new skills to use for personal, business and civic purposes.

What makes the Colorado Internet Masters Program unique among educational opportunities is the volunteer component and its multiplier effects. Course participants commit to 30 hours of Internet-related work in their community and subsequently are certified as Internet Masters, or, instead, they can choose to be a trainer-elect. These volunteers attend a Trainer Workshop, team-teach courses, and are certified as Internet Master Trainers.

For his volunteer work, Van Buskirk conducted computer training for 26 senior citizens at the Wiley High School computer lab. With the assistance of Wiley High School's Honor Society, he tutored seniors on using e-mail, using and searching the Internet and other topics. Some seniors then volunteered as elementary school tutors, helping children on computers with basic reading and math skills.

After completing a local Internet Masters course, Kathryn Rechel of Alamosa exceeded expectations with her volunteer efforts. Local officials invited her to teach county employees about the Internet. She developed a flyer offering mini-lessons such as "What is the Internet?," "Internet Search Techniques" and "Using e-Mail." It was sent out with county paychecks, and 55 county officials and employees responded to the offer to learn more. Rechel thinks she reached individuals who weren't likely to sign up for a formal course, but now may have the interest to do so. Logging 60 hours, she is pleased with her knowledge base and says that the teaching experience "really increased my confidence level." Next, she plans to register for a Web page design class at Trinidad Junior College, and she's thinking of becoming a volunteer Internet Masters trainer.

Civic volunteers in Burlington, CO, contributed more than 300 hours of service to libraries, schools, youth, seniors, businesses and community non-profits. They helped residents strengthen skills in word processing, electronic publishing and e-mail; they developed web pages for a school, hospital, service club and home-based business; and they taught youth to access college information on-line and safely search the Internet for homework and fun.

"The Internet is becoming such an integral part of our everyday life. It's important for all citizens to have an opportunity to learn how to use it," said Program Co-Chair Florine Raitano, executive director of the Colorado Rural Development Council. The Internet Masters Program provides a fundamental building block in technology development for rural communities, which often are at a disadvantage when it comes to infrastructure investments, and access to and training for new technologies.

Colorado State Extension specialists Diana Laughlin and Sheila Knop, from the Center for Rural Assistance, helped lead curriculum development and evaluation for the program. Laughlin noted that "course and trainer workshop evaluations from the program's first year were exceptionally positive, yet when we asked for ways to improve the program, participants offered ideas to strengthen the second edition curriculum." Knop said, "the program's strong multiplier effects are clear. Local organizing committees help sponsor courses. More than a quarter of participants from the first ten courses became trainers, co-teaching more courses, and civic volunteers are learning more as they continue to contribute in the community."

Program Co-Chair Mary McPhail Gray, Extension associate director, said that "the Internet Masters Program is a community-building effort taking place throughout the state. It's a partnership that relies on the contributions of many groups to make it effective and affordable." Extension's Technology Unit is among them, providing curriculum and listserv support.

Citizens who want to learn to successfully "surf the net" and help others to do the same can sign up for the Colorado Internet Masters Program. Courses have been offered in Alamosa, Aurora, Burlington, Craig, Fort Morgan, Greeley and Lamar, and more will be offered in other places. For information, visit the Web site at internetmasters.org or call Jacque Miller, Colorado State University Extension (970-491-2515) or Margaret Bowes, Colorado Rural Development Council (970-262-2073).

--Wendy Douglass

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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