Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 175
or
Christine Skelly
810-338-8200
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The free equine webcast series produced by Michigan State University (MSU) My Horse University (MHU) and eXtension Horse Quest has been selected by the National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN) to receive the 2009 Shirley Davis Award for Excellence in Synchronous Distance Learning. This award recognizes individuals and institutions that provide superior distance learning opportunities via the Web or video conferencing of a superior nature in the areas of innovation, interactivity, production quality and administrative issues.
The award will be presented June 23 at the NUTN annual conference on distance education in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The conference, “Quality in Motion,” will focus on the challenges to distance learning and technology in a troubled economy. Participants at the NUTN conference represent more than 60 higher education institutions across the country that focus on distance education and the technologies that support education.
“The free monthly webcasts have given equine enthusiasts from around the country access to presentations by the best minds in equine sciences,” says Christine Skelly, director and founder of My Horse University and an MSU professor of animal science. “Participants enjoy the opportunity to interact with the experts -- they can discuss and ask questions on these relevant topics.”
Through the monthly webcast series, MHU and eXtension provide science-based information and other educational resources that promote better horse care, agricultural practices and environmental stewardship to horse enthusiasts. Topics include farm management, horse health, nutrition and environmental issues, presented by top equine experts from universities across the country. Since January 2007, MHU and eXtension have offered 17 webcasts for about 600 viewers.My Horse University is a national online horse management program for horse enthusiasts based at MSU. Founded by the MSU Department of Animal Science, MSU Extension and MSU Global, this program offers equine education courses and resources that can be tailored to achieve horse management goals. For more information, visit www.myhorseuniversity.com.
eXtension HorseQuest is an interactive learning environment delivering research-based knowledge from land-grant universities across America. eXtension connects people who need information with those who can best provide it -- experts who know their subject matter inside and out. Visitors can get online answers to their equine-related questions, locate horse events in their area, watch instructional videos, take short courses and participate in webcasts with equine experts across the nation.