The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative

Tutorials Seek to Add More Learning Opportunities

In order to improve e-commerce skills on subjects such as social networking and Web site design, the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has added a tutorials page to its learning offerings.

In addition to the ten learning modules currently offered by the Initiative, the tutorials page seeks to add more detailed information or to tackle subjects that the modules themselves do not address. For example, many of the online learning modules have information on marketing products or discuss how to list products online to maximize sales; however, none of the modules clearly address such things as sales over social networking sites or the hands on design process that produces actual product pages. To build further understanding, there is also included an Internet Readiness Quiz that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners learn the different aspects that are required to add e-commerce to current business offerings. Additionally there is a tutorial’s section in Spanish. The tutorials are regularly updated and if there’s one you think we should add, let us know.

Register now for NACDEP pre-conference workshop "E-commerce and More: Community Development through Digital Engagement"

If you are attending the upcoming National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals conference, consider joining us for the National e-Commerce Extension Initiative pre-conference workshop focusing on using digital technology to engage your local community and businesses.

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The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative Awards More Mini-Grants

On August 8, 2011 the Initiative's advisory board selected two mini-grant applicants and one educational resource applicant to receive funding for their e-commerce activities.

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Getting Connected

Mississippi is getting on the broadband wagon. While currently Mississippi residents have the lowest broadband (high speed) Internet usage rate in the country—about 60 percent—the Mississippi Broadband Connection Coalition (MBBC) aims to help more Mississippians get high-speed Internet connections.

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Building Quality e-Commerce Educational Resources to Support Extension Programming

The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), in partnership with NIFA/USDA and the Regional Rural Development Centers, is pleased to announce a new round of funding for its e-commerce competitive grants program.

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The Initiative's Role in Rural Broadband Adoption Featured in Choices

Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm and Resource Issues releases a themed issue, with Guest Editor James Barnes, focusing on broadband expansion into rural areas. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the United States will spend almost $12 billion dollars to develop infrastructure and provide education to encourage rural adoption of high-speed Internet or broadband.

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e-Commerce Trainings

Information

The National e-Commerce Extension Initiative has concluded the 2009 fall Webinar Series. These Webinars were designed for Extension educators, economic development professionals and other interested parties who have a desire to work with local leaders, citizens, and organizations to build a strong, vibrant plan for introducing and effectively using broadband in their communities. The Fall 2009 Webinar Series spotlighted newly developed online learning curricula. Participation in the Webinar Series was highly recommended for those Extension Educators interested in applying for the Implementation Mini–Grants Program.


Recent Webinar Series (2009)

A Beginner’s Guide to e-Commerce:
Easy Tools for Profit
October 29, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Web site Basics: A Primer for Hispanic
Small Businesses
November 19, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Marketing Food Specialty Products Online
December 3, 2009 (Archived Webinar)

Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet
December 10, 2009 (Archived Webinar)


For more information and archives on the Webinar Series, please visit our Webinar page.