What is Access 4-H?

(as of 13 June 2008, requires update)

What is Access 4-H trying to accomplish?

Given the hierarchical structure of 4-H, it can be an arduous and expensive task for the current members, volunteers, county agents, Land Grant University, and national leadership staff to perform the necessary transactions, research, and networking that are inherent in our 4-H programs. This new digital approach can eliminate the current roadblocks and provide our users with an online forum where they can access the necessary tools they need to learn, interact, and grow. It is using the latest web 2.0 and social networking technologies to foster this online community.

How does it work?

The platform is provided and hosted by iBelong Inc., The interface to Access 4-H is a collection of gadgets that can be tailored by the individual and by any group owner. Each account holder has an individual “My” page which can include whatever gadgets that individual would like to have—much as iGoogle provides. People with necessary rights to the system can create group pages, and can select the gadgets which appear on those group pages. Individuals may search the system for groups in which they might be interested, view the respective group pages, and then opt to join groups they desire. Alternatively, group owners may selectively add individuals to their groups. Initially, the most common groups will be 4H Clubs or possibly county 4H councils. These groups may also include project oriented groups.

Gadgets:

The initial set of gadgets include a search tool, saved content (for uploading files), news (fed by RSS feeds—hopefully ATOM as well), blogs, calendar, chat, tracking/metric tools for recording information for record books. Plans also include games (for social interaction). On an individual basis, content, blogs, calendar, etc. may be private or shared. When shared, it is searchable. The tracking and metric tools are provided by Zazengo, Inc., and access to those tools is through another gadget in the Access 4-H interface.

Enrollment/authentication:

All authentication to Access 4-H will be handled through an OpenID account with JanRain, and OpenID provider in Oregon. JanRain will provide a specially tailored interface specifically for Access 4-H enrollment through which county Extension agents, adult leaders, or even 4-H members themselves may submit account information. This interface will actually be another Access 4-H gadget, likely available through the Access 4-H public website. Membership is restricted only to 4-H members, county/state/national 4-H staff, and 4-H volunteer leaders. In cases where 4-H members submit account information, a county Extension staff member must approve the application to validate the membership status. In cases where the individual has an email address, the OpenID and password will be emailed directly to the individual. In all other cases, the OpenID and password will be provided to the county Extension staff for further dissemination. Especially in those situations, individuals will be required to change passwords upon initial login to Access 4-H.

Email:

Negotiations are underway with Google to provide @4-H.org email accounts for those needing or wanting them for 4-H communications. This would allow 4-H members to easily separate their 4-H identities and messages from those generated through other social networking and email systems.

Content:

Educational content available to 4-H members through Access 4-H might be content uploaded within Access 4-H itself, or may very easily be hyperlinked to other systems such as eXtension and Extension online repositories. Group leaders may upload content they feel relevant to the members of their groups and make that content available to their group members. 4-H members may also upload content that would be relevant to their groups.

What it is not:

Access 4-H is not in competition with other Extension educational efforts; it actually creates a pathway to help 4-H members discover Extension’s education related objects. It is also not an enrollment reporting system; ES237 reports cannot be generated from any of the data stored in Access 4-H.