COVID-19 measures disrupted normal in-person lectures. Extension Agents from Spartanburg and Aiken Counties, Drew Jeffers and Vicky Bertagnolli respectively, have embraced this change and frequently partner to host and present virtual lectures via Zoom. They presented Hydrangeas: Care and Cultivars for South Carolina Landscapes on August 27, 2020, via Zoom with registration via Eventbrite.
Clemson Extension Agents, Drew Jeffers, and Vicky Bertagnolli, are experienced in the use of online platforms such as Zoom. Offering lectures via Zoom maintains the consistency of still offering programming while utilizing what the public may consider a “novel” way of presenting educational material to Extension’s seasoned audience.
The online offering was well received with a “sold out” 1000 registrants via Eventbrite. Of the 1000 registrants, 436 “attended” the live presentation. Of the 436 registrants, 129 completed a program evaluation survey. Of 117 participants that answered the question, 7 participants were somewhat satisfied with the training software and 110 were satisfied (39) to very satisfied (71) with the software platform that was chosen. 95.97% of participants that answered the question indicated that they enjoyed the lecture and that it met their expectations. 47.58% (59 participants) of 124 participants that completed the survey rated their knowledge of hydrangea cultivars very low (12.90%) to low (34.68%) before the webinar. Only 5 of 124 participants (4.03%) that completed the survey felt their knowledge of hydrangea cultivars was still very low (2.42%) to low (1.61%) after the survey. Seventy-seven participants planned to install more hydrangeas as a result of the lecture. Of 125 participants that answered the question, 92 (73.60%) indicated that they intend to participate in more Clemson Extension webinars as a result of this online lecture. Due to the good response, Drew and Vicky plan to continue to offer lectures and programming in an online format when they can.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer
