Reality in a Virtual World - One Year in 4-H through the eyes of 4-Hers and Parents

Young people today are inundated with a virtual world that has taken the art of communication out of their repertoire. Many speak and write in single letter format,(LOL) abbreviations, and slang. Incomplete thoughts and responses are inhibiting our youths' ability to engage with other generations and gain respect with effective communication. Adults also fall into the trap of ineffective communication relying on someone else to interpret for them. Both groups are needing basic strategies and skills to effectively communicate the positive difference Extension and 4-H has made in their lives and the lives of their families.
   So we are going to conduct learning sessions throughout 2013 to help Rockwall County 4-Hers learn how to interpret their skills and knowledge effectively. We will also be working with adult volunteers to refine their communication skills to effectively share their story about the positive role 4-H has played in the lives of their child(ren) and the family's life as a unit.
   As part of the training,  we will be recording youth and adults along the way as they grow in their interpretation skills.  Basic skills of genuineness and authenticity cannot be faked.  So the first key is the sharing process is being real.  Here are a couple of videos made on the fly to begin the process.

Here I was interviewing Anna Schieberle during the Fort Worth Stock Show to get her first impressions of what she does in 4-H.  It's very candid, but demonstrates that she has fun!

I then interviewed Anna's Dad, Mr. Shieberle.  I asked him one question and he began to fill in the holes.  Though they were short answers to one question,  you can see that he has thought the process through and understands the potential from 4-H and what it has to offer.

Remembering that this was in a barn setting at the Fort Worth Stock Show,  about thirty minutes prior to Anna showing her Dorper sheep, there are many times that friends extended family members or even potential 4-H families ask questions to see if they may be interested.  How we answer can make a huge difference in their next step in the 4-H process.

I am excited to watch our group grow this year and to see visual and recordable changes through our Reality in a Virtual World.