eXtension now has a 'public face'!

eXtension has announced the launch of its first Community of
Practice web site: HorseQuest. Available at
http://www.extension.org/horses, this is the first of many communities of
practice to go public in 2006 and throughout 2007.

?We are very excited to launch HorseQuest today and to demonstrate the
capacity that eXtension brings to America?s Cooperative Extension System,?
said Dan Cotton, eXtension Director.

HorseQuest provides Internet visitors with reliable and up-to-date horse
information through a knowledge base of commonly asked questions that have
science-based, peer-reviewed answers. In addition, online lessons use
self-paced learning objects to help users learn more about specialized
areas of equine science. The newest lesson being introduced is a module
for new and prospective horse owners.

?eXtension has provided an exciting new method of delivering scientific
data to horse owners. Its 24/7/365 availability and interactive capability
puts the horseman in direct contact with experts,? said Clint Depew, chair
of the HorseQuest team and Louisiana State University extension horse
specialist.

HorseQuest also features experts who work one on one with online users
through live online chats. These one-hour chats feature three expert
specialists covering various relevant topics.

?HorseQuest brings the strengths and backgrounds of many equine experts
into one on-line tool. And, the accessibility of solid, research-based
information is now available on a national (and international) platform,
said Betsy Greene, University of Vermont extension horse specialist and
vice-chair of the HorseQuest team.

?The 37-member HorseQuest Community of Practice has brought greater
expertise to each area of interest and reduced the workload on individual
experts at the same time. The collaborative relationships with other
experts is minimizing duplication of effort and maximizing utilization of
good materials. The spin offs into other projects is phenomenal,? noted
Depew.

HorseQuest was developed through eXtension?s innovative collaborative
tools including a unique ?wiki? environment where community of practice
members create, enhance, edit, and publish the various components featured
on the public web site.

?Since my work with the HorseQuest Community of Practice, I now have
expert resources at the click of a mouse. I have already utilized some of
our collaborative ?wiki-work? when consulting with my clientele,? noted
Greene. ?The eXtension HorseQuest project has brought together the
resources and opportunities for collaboration that no single state could
afford.?

HorseQuest is the first eXtension ?Community of Practice? to come online.
Eight more communities with topics ranging from financial security, fire
ants, disaster response, parenting, rural entrepreneurship, horticulture,
and wildlife damage management are set to come online in the next several
months. All will feature similar attributes of Frequently Asked
Questions, Ask the Experts, news, events, and learning modules.

For more information on the progress of eXtension go to
http://about.extension.org.