Implicit in the recertification CEU program in Texas is the need for licensed applicators to be competent and technically current in information pertaining to IPM, pesticide safety and environmental concerns relating to pesticide use. Traditionally, CEUs have been obtained through workshops, conferences and meetings. There is a great need to expand the avenues available to applicators for education and technology transfer utilizing the internet and electronic delivery techniques. Presently, about 9 states in the U.S. offer some form of electronic CEUs for certified applicators. Most of this internet training emphasizes on-line courses for the structural pest control industry.
Courses are available from both private sector providers and state agencies.
Most of these sites are rudimentary in their development and it is apparent that the application of this technology to training pesticide applicators is in its infancy. The development of quality web-based educational products involves a vast array of technical resource needs. Hence there is a necessity to form partnerships to capture the expertise required for development and delivery of on-line courses. They will be not only responsible for initial development of selected modules, but will in turn utilize, the expertise of other TAEX specialists who have developed, or are developing, electronic presentations in their areas of expertise which can be adopted to an electronic CEU format. TAEX has subject matter specialists in all areas relative to this proposal, including weed scientists, entomologists, plant pathologists, agronomist and agricultural engineers.