NEST Instructional Plan

and Presentation
Tim Hastings
CUR/516
Patricia Luopa

Table of Contents
Overview
Implementation Schedule
Summary

Overview
Name of Course
Field Offices and NEST

Description Of Course
This course is designed to instruct District Conservationists and Soil

Conservationists in the new functions of the Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS) Easement Staging Tool (NEST). With the
creation of the Centralized Desktop Streamline Initiative (CDSI), NEST is
now incorporated into the new program. NEST has included new
functionality to allow District Conservationists and Soil Conservationists at
the Field Office level to be able to input information into the system
concerning all easement applications and annual monitoring reports.

Overview
Target Audience
District Conservationists and Soil Conservationists - Individuals who are

on the front line to talk with farmers and to take applications.

Delivery and Length

Demonstration and Performance
1-2 hours in length

Goals
Students will recognize the need for data entry in NEST
Students will recognize the need for data entry in CDSI concerning

easements

Implementation Schedule
Projected Start Date
May 1, 2015
Pending NHQ approval
Approximately 1 month to complete the training of all required

personnel

Implementation Schedule
Course has the option to be taught in 2 different venues
Instructor via classroom
Computer-based Training
NHQ will decide on the venue

Implementation Schedule
Instructor-based
Instructor will need trained in the new screens of NEST
Classroom availability
Computer availability
Lesson Plans will need to be created
Evaluations

Implementation Schedule
Computer-based
Storyboards will need to be created
Coding of the screens
Evaluations

Implementation Schedule
Pros and Cons of Instructor-based
Pros
Instructor available for questions
Traditional learning situation
Simulations can be incorporated

Cons

Time of training
Resources needed
Travel for the instructor and students

Implementation Schedule
Pros and Cons for Computer-based
Pros
Instruction is self-paced
Instruction can be reviewed at anytime

Cons

Limited to no feedback
Limited functionality
Limited practice

Implementation Schedule
Evaluations for Instructor-based
Selection type
Process type
Product type

Implementation Schedule
Evaluations for Computer-based
Selection type
Supply type

Implementation Schedule
Knowledge Assessment - each student will be given a selection type

evaluation to ensure the knowledge portion of the instruction has been

followed
Kinesthetic Assessment - each student will be required to perform
according to a checklist to input information into the NEST system

Implementation Schedule
Written tests as well as process and product checklists will need to be

created to measure the understanding of the students before they are

allowed to complete entries in the production database.

Summary
Overview
Implementation Schedule
Summary