At the core, the on-line searchable state database (OIC) is a tool for listing the EE service providers in your state in an easy to use single place.  It’s a rich yellow pages of providers. 

It shows the provider name and contact information and it shows the programs and events that the provider offers.  From the contact information, it’s possible to show where providers are located and using contact email addresses available for each provider, it’s possible to easily get a broadcast message out VIA email to the provider community in a state.   The event information can be used to generate a calendar of events in a state, region within a state, group of states, or nationally.  

The tool is intended to be a way to build and provide access to the network of EE providers in a state and to begin to use and strengthen that network to drive activity and to focus the efforts of widely disparate organizations.  The tool can be used to manage members in a membership organization and/or it can also be used to build a network of EE service providers in a State.

Why A State Focus?

The implementations of the state database tools to this point have been primarily focused on the states.  We have a few variations such as a group called Think Earth which focuses on ecology clubs in K-12 schools globally and the Biodiversity Education Network which focuses on educators with biodiversity interests.  For the most part however, we focus on states and this is because state EE affiliates are usually where the state network is housed. 

The actual reason this program takes on a state focus is that education has a strong state-level influence and emphasis. The EE community reflects a state focus at the applied level and this is program that operated at the applied level. Many service providers view themselves as providers within a state and learn the standards and systems that are needed to be successful with a given state.  More importantly, teachers, curriculum consultants and others that influence what organizations, programs, and resources get used at the school level look at things from the state-level.  In other words, education at the K-12 level is a primary driver for EE adoption (or non-adoption) and K-12 education aligns most strongly to state-level influences. The state EE affiliate or association does much of the applied network building in EE and therefore, this is the level that is usually most appropriate for technology tools focusing on network building to be found also.

Efficiency – A Key Benefit

One key benefit is internal efficiency.  For example, being easily able to send email to all the providers in your state or to all the members in your state association is efficient.  It may also be a new capability for your organization.  Being able to easily print current mailing labels of members is efficient.  Being able to easily know your membership status and statitistics is efficient.  Being able to allow members to update their membership information on line without your staff intervening is efficient and improves quality and timeliness of information.  Being able to allow members to pay online for membership renewals and other items is efficient.

New Capability and Capacity – Another Key Benefit

Another key benefit, one that is even more compelling, is the new capabilities the on-line tools enable.  For example, the on-line tools enable you to easily contact your state provider network with an email message.  You can remove a lot of paper from your process and improve benefits at the same time. 

Simply having an on-line searchable, browsable database is a significant new capability for most state associations because it enables better promotion of EE in general by exposing the service providers to those in need of services and because it enables a stronger network of providers – something that directly strengthens the state association.

Adding New Features Over Time -- Member Benefits, High-Value Services

On top of that core database however, many high-value services and member benefits can be attached that add capability, quality, and capacity to a state provider network.  

For example, Colorado has recently implemented a Review of Resource system.  This tool builds on the concepts and features already in place in the on-line database to review EE resources that are available from one or more provider in a state and reviewing those resources against the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education. 

The entire process including the initial submission and self-review, the independent review process featuring three trained reviewers, the review coordination, and the presentation of the review results is conducted entirely on-line.  It would be difficult, espensive and slow to conduct resource reviews without the on-line system providing structure and efficiency to the process.

NAAEE adopted the Colorado resource review tools for use nationally in the second half of 2005.

The State-level Commitment

What does a state need to have in hand to be able to adopt these tools?  Here are some ball park numbers.  Startup can range from 500 to 4000 for most although states requesting lots of custom features can easily exceed this range.  All prices here are subsidized by NAAEE grants.  Currently, due to our EETAP agreements, we are able to offer all states reduced annual fees which currently start at $1000/yr for a typical state implementation. 

States need to have staff to approve data added to the system and states need to be in a position to support users with information and limited help assistance.  States also need to be able to raise funds continued operation of the tools.  These non-technical activities are all things NAAEE can provide direct assistance with – many times on-site assistance with training or marketing is available.

Conclusion

 In summary, on-line tools can be a great way to build networks, offer core and new services and benefits to your community while also improving internal efficiency and quality.  Applied in the right way, the tools can have a strong net positive effect on the accessibility of EE providers and build the strength and quality of the EE network in a state or region.

Please refer to the side bar for information on some of the cutting edge resources being attached to the core concept of the on-line system.