Two New JOE FAQs & Discussion Forum Reminder

Two New JOE FAQs

We've added two new JOE FAQs on Manuscript FastTrack (MFT), our online reviewing system.

JOE FAQ #7, "How does JOE use Manuscript FastTrack (MFT)?" <http://www.joe.org/about-faqs.php#Q7>, explains that, unlike other journals, JOE uses MFT for online review only and only for review of Feature, Research in in Brief, and Ideas at Work articles. Authors must first submit all articles to the editor (Laura Hoelscher joe-ed@joe.org) for initial review. For a fuller explanation, see "The JOE Review Process" <http://www.joe.org/joe/2012april/ed1.php>.

JOE FAQ #8, "How do I change my user information in MFT?" <http://www.joe.org/about-faqs.php#Q8> explains how authors can change their own user information (e.g., new position, new email address) on MFT.

As with all JOE FAQs, the same information is offered on the Help for JOE Authors page <http://www.joe.org/for-authors-help.php>.

Discussion Forum Reminder

Don't forget that you can comment on JOE Commentaries by using the Discussion Forum feature that is part of every Commentary.

For one thing, it's good to get a dialogue going about the challenging issue facing Extension and Extension professionals that are raised in JOE Commentaries. That was the whole idea behind adding the Discussion Forum feature in the first place.

But there are other benefits, as well.

Commentary authors can use the feedback they get from the Discussion Forums to demonstrate that their work has had impact or to enrich presentations they may be making on their work.

And Discussion Forum feedback can lead to more JOE articles. For example, in December 2011, author Heidi Rader wrote "Extension Is Unpopular—On the Internet" <http://www.joe.org/joe/2011december/comm1.php>. Her Commentary Discussion Forum captured a particularly vigorous dialogue. Her Commentary has already been cited in other JOE articles, and, while I do not know this for a fact, I suspect that this issue's "The Search for Extension: 7 Steps to Help People Find Research-Based Information on the Internet" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/iw1.php> that she and two colleagues coauthored was inspired at least in part by her Discussion Forum feedback.

So remember that you can—and perhaps should—comment on JOE Commentaries.

December JOE

Speaking of JOE Commentaries and the opportunity to comment on them, there's this issue's "Mobile Learning and the Visual Web, Oh My! Nutrition Education in the 21st Century" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/comm1.php>. Not only does it also discuss the Web, but it has an effective, attention-getting title, too.

That's just the one of many articles in this issue that discuss the role of information technology in our work.

Take the first four Research in Brief articles, for example: "Extension's Online Presence: Are Land-Grant Universities Promoting the Tripartite Mission?" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/rb1.php>, "Will eXtension Survive? Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Employees' Perceptions of Adopter Attributes of eXtension" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/rb2.php>, "Social Media in Diabetes Education: A Viable Option?" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/rb3.php>, and "Electronic Commerce Adoption in the Hardwood Industry" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/rb4.php>.

In the Ideas at Work section, besides the article I cited in "Discussion Forum Reminder," above, there's an article on apps and one on digital classrooms. And in Tools of the Trade, find fully eight of 10 articles dealing with topics like apps (again), blogging, distance education, and Web-based and mixed-mode surveys.

But the December issue is far from being all technology all the time. As evidence I offer "Extension's Evolving Alignment of Programs Serving Families and Youth: Organizational Change and Its Implications" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/a1.php> and "Moving Forward with Founders: Strategies for Change in Volunteer Organizations" <http://joe.org/joe/2012december/a2.php>.

I've gone on longer than I usually do in this space and haven't even mentioned all the notable articles in yet another rich issue.