Educating community officials with dynamic online learning
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EmailMichigan State University Extension’s Citizen Planner Program has been the premier land use educational opportunity for Michigan’s elected and appointed officials for decades.
Michigan State University Extension’s Citizen Planner Program has been the premier land use educational opportunity for Michigan’s elected and appointed officials for decades, but not everyone can attend an intensive in-person course. MSU Extension educators completely redesigned Citizen Planner as an online course to meet these needs and take advantage of the latest educational techniques and technologies.
The online learning modules combine narrative storytelling, digital supplemental material and interactive online activities to engage participants. The stories were carefully selected to maximize exposure to key concepts and to provide the kind of context and situational learning that participants will face in their communities.
- More than 120 people have taken the Citizen Planner Online course since its launch in April 2017.
- Nearly 90% reported being more confident or much more confident in eight key areas related to their role dealing with land use issues.
- 94% would recommend the program to another planning official.
