114 An online course to teach and encourage equine biosecurity practices

Abstract

To introduce horse owners, caretakers, and industry professionals to equine biosecurity concepts, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Equine Program offered a semi-self-paced, 6-week online certificate course. Our objective to improve content and its delivery was prompted by student feedback from year one before the second offering (January 2020 and January 2021, respectively). The Equine Biosecurity Online Certificate Course (EBOCC) used the Canvas learning management platform. To meet course objectives, adult learners viewed weekly asynchronous lectures on biosecurity concepts, practicing biosecurity at home and at shows/events, and communicating a biosecurity plan to clients and service providers. Weekly assignments alternated between discussion forums and a quiz to assess learning. Lecture notes and supportive resources (e.g., web articles or videos) were provided for each module. Students also wrote a biosecurity plan for their individual farm or horse ownership circumstance, prompted by 11 biosecurity principles. Knowledge gain was measured through pre- and post-course assessments and course satisfaction was considered through a course evaluation. The first offering resulted in knowledge gain ( P ≤ 0.0008) though course evaluations indicated improvements were necessary for future delivery. The non-traditional students struggled with Canvas course navigation and desired more applied uses for equine biosecurity. Improved user-experience was created for year 2 using Canvas design options. Weekly modules were further developed to include deeper biosecurity concepts and applied uses. Learners in year 2 also demonstrated knowledge gain ( P ≤ 0.0001) and greater course satisfaction (82%) compared with the first offering (67%). In total, 40 horse owners and industry professionals from 11 states and 5 countries (including the US) participated. The enrolled students personally owned 101 equids and cared for an additional 303 animals. Based on the information they learned, 93% of the students agreed or strongly agreed they would make at least one change in their horse operation or ownership with respect to biosecurity. Participants conveyed gratitude for the encouragement to write a biosecurity plan as part of their everyday management and disease preparedness, with 47% implementing at least one change before the course ending. Exposure to equine biosecurity through an online course provided students opportunity to increase knowledge and commit to biosecurity practices in the present and for the future. Utilizing course evaluations to constructively evaluate the delivery of this Extension course improved the impact of the lessons taught.