NPDN 2007 Meeting - Utilization of web-conferencing and web-based microscopy to deliver a regional Mycotoxin Workshop for the Great Plains Diagnostic Network

NPDN National Meeting 2007

Poster Abstract

Utilization of web-conferencing and web-based microscopy to deliver a regional Mycotoxin Workshop for the Great Plains Diagnostic Network

Authors: NINA K. ZIDACK, William T. Lanier, Barry J. Jacobsen, Mary E. Burrows

Affiliations: Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

In 2006, Montana State University hosted “The Mycotoxin Workshop” for the Great Plains Diagnostic Network via Microsoft Breeze web-conferencing and web-based microscopy with the Nikon DN100. The workshop was presented in 2 3-hour blocks including lecture and lab. Participants were trained on mycotoxigenic fungi, mycotoxins and mycotoxicoses, and were provided with a slide collection of important mycotoxin-producing fungi as a reference collection, and for viewing during the workshop. The lab portion of the workshop was presented using Powerpoint and web-based microscopy. The ability of the DN100 to serve hi-resolution images to multiple sites was identified as a limitation. The refresh rate problem was overcome in session 2 by sharing the microscope image through Breeze, which eliminated the bottleneck created by multiple requests of the DN100 server. Throughout the workshop, participants asked questions through instant messaging, and answers were given via a conference call. Breeze conferencing allowed participation from 25 individuals at 12 locations in 7 states. The entire workshop was recorded, and is available for review on the GPDN website. The presentation of this workshop using these technological components provides a working model for the effective dissemination of technical information to diagnostic professionals.

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