Online Education

[Fred]

Hi all--

Utah is looking at moving our snowmobile and ATV education programs online.  We've been in the off-highway vehicle education business since 1987 and have seen significant changes in our customers over the years.  About 8 years ago we stopped teaching snowmobile education "hands-on" and moved it to a classroom.  Now we are looking at moving it online.

Are there other jurisdictions who have made that leap?  What are your experiences?  Others looking at making that move or shying away from it?  I'd like to know your thoughts and experience.  What about the snowmobiling public?  What are your thoughts?

Fred Hayes
OHV Program Coordinator
Utah State Parks
fredhayes@utah.gov

[Gary Eddy]

Wisconsin launched their online ATV Safety Course in May of 2008 and it has been very popular.  Over 30% of our total students have opted to take the internet course in it's first year.  Attached is a report on our course activity from May to October (it says January, but we didn't launch until May).  We have heard concerns from our volunteer ATV Safety Instructors about smaller class sizes with fewer students.  The online course has been a major workload reduction for the dept.  We are hopeful to launch our online Snowmobile Safety course later this winter.