Interactive and Uplink TV

For the past several years, the Vermont Extension Service, in cooperation with the Vermont Institute for Government, has provided training for members of Boards of Civil Authority (BCA) and town assessors. This year, we tried a new teaching method: using interactive television and uplink satellite by broadcasting our training sessions statewide. Based on the favorable response we received-participation increased from 320 the previous year to 530-participants, speakers, and resource people found the one- day, one-location presentation much more appealing.

In the past, many training sessions were conducted in many locations throughout the state to teach participants the rules and strategies for handling property tax appeals. This year, we reached more than 500 BCA members and assessors with two identical training sessions. These sessions, one held in the afternoon and the other in the evening, were broadcast centrally to 10 other Vermont locations. Four used the Vermont Interactive Television System sites and six connected via satellite and telephone.

The two three-hour programs included mock hearings based on actual cases. Participants around the state heard testimony about a contested property appraisal, participated in the inspection of the evidence presented, and worked together to reach conclusions on whether to sustain the assessors or establish new appraisal values.

Resource people from related state agencies and associations thoroughly reviewed the legal and practical procedures at each stage of the process. Then, at each location, participants met in small groups to deliberate and reach their decisions. The resource people received and responded to questions from all the sites through the course of the training session. Facilitators at each location helped coordinate communication with the interact site. This new technology allowed us to present a consistent, high-quality training program to BCA members and assessors in all parts of the state at one time.

While some participants commented on the "less personal" atmosphere of the meeting and a few complained that answers to their questions were sometimes not complete because they weren't able to clarify their query in person, most gave the televised format high marks as an effective way of providing training around the state. They particularly applauded the convenience and economy of not having to travel long distances for the training and appreciated that sessions were held at different times of the day to accommodate work and other commitments.

The training sessions were positively received, and participants almost unanimously agreed to eagerly participate in a future training program using interactive television. That gave us the green light to begin plans for next year's training using this new, successful teaching method.