All University Community Consortium on
Children, Youth, & Families
Project Number Nine – 1992
Dear Ms. Perry:
We are pleased to submit our response to your “Call for Project Descriptions” concerning “How Networked Information Resources and Services are being used to Improve Teaching and Learning.”
A short abstract of our effort, the Consortium Electronic Clearinghouse, a project sponsored by the University of Minnesota All University-Community Consortium on Children, Youth and Families, follows this letter.
The principal participants in the project include:
William M. Bomash. Assistant Professor and Extension Educator – Communication Technologies, Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1979, History; M.A., University of Minnesota, 1970, Scandinavian Studies; B.A. Knox College, Galesburg, IL, 1964, History. Directs distance education and electronic dissemination efforts of Minnesota Extension Service using satellite video conferencing, electronic data networks, CD-ROM, audiotex, and multimedia. EMAIL: wmb@extend.mes.umn.edu
Trudy Dunham. Research Fellow, Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. Ph.D. Candidate, Education, University of Minnesota; M.A., University of Wisconsin, Education, 1977; B.A., University of North Carolina, Psychology, 1975. Program evaluation in 4-H/Youth Development. Previous work included mental health planning, policy analysis, grant writing, program development and evaluation of education, human service and youth development. EMAIL: tcd@fourh.mes.umn.edu
John R. Schafer. Extension Educator – Electronic Dissemination. B.S., University of Minnesota, Soil Science and Agronomy. System analysis of computer network installations, coordinator for state- wide Extend-U bulletin board/electronic mail service, writes technical documentation, provides technical support. Computer software programmer, co-authored Weed Tracker, co-inventor of computer assisted “Repeatable Pattern Field Spray Control” system. EMAIL: jrs@extend.mes.umn.edu
Bob Rubinyi. Assistant Professor and Extension Educator – Communication Technologies. Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1985, Communication Arts, Dissertation Title: “The Effects of the Introduction of Microcomputers on the Information and Communication Behavior of Community Based Nonprofit Organizations.” M.A., University of Wisconsin, Communication Arts, 1981; B.A., University of California, San Diego, 1979, Communications. Manages technology projects in electronic dissemination area (CD-ROM and audiotex systems); assists in design of revised statewide online information system; evaluates technology projects and publishes research results. EMAIL: rmr@extend.mes.umn.edu
If you have any further questions about our project, feel free to contact me at rmr@extend.mes.umn.edu or 612-624-2708. Thank you for your consideration of our project.
Sincerely,
Bob Rubinyi
All University-Community Consortium on Children, Families and Youth
University of Minnesota
Consortium Electronic Clearinghouse (CEC)
The All University-Community Consortium on Children, Youth and Families was established at the University of Minnesota to help address some of these concerns. Over 4,000 members belong to the Consortium, which consists of both individuals and groups, including representatives from social service agencies, private companies, mass media, religious organizations, community groups, governmental units and K-12 and higher education representatives.
One of the major efforts of the group is the Consortium’s Electronic Clearinghouse (CEC), an easy-to-use electronic bridge between the University of Minnesota, community agencies and members of the general public. A pilot version of the CEC, currently under development, will be available for public access in January 1993. The CEC will be an interactive distributive information system with full-featured computer communication capabilities that will enable users to access Consortium information related to the health, education and welfare of children, youth and families.
CEC builds on the existing Minnesota Extension Service “EXTEND-U” statewide computer information system, the University of Minnesota’s “GOPHER” internet software, and COCONET, a commercial electronic bulletin board package. The CEC will run on a UNIX computer and will be accessible either through Internet or dial-up connections using a VT-100 emulation or special client software.
