The Pennsylvania State University

e-data Quick Tips

Step 1: Obtain a Friends of Penn State Account by clicking  https://fps.psu.edu or typing it into your browser.  Once you obtain your account, put your new access ID and password in a safe place.  You will need them each time you log in to the e-data system.

Step 2:  Go to the e-data login site by clicking http://edata.extension. psu.edu or typing it into your browser.

Step 3:  Log in using your Friends of Penn State user ID and password.

If you need assistance using the e-data system please contact your local county extension office.

Accessing e-data

1. Log in to e-data .  Begin by filling in the blanks under the Contact Info tab and click Update. You will see a screen showing the information you entered.  If it is correct and complete, click Next Step, then complete each section under the Biographical Info Tab, and click Update.  You will see a screen showing the information you entered.  If it is correct and complete, click Next Step.

2. You will see a screen showing the next 3 steps of the enrollment process.  Near the bottom of this screen you will be asked to identify the Extension program, year, and  county in which you would like to enroll.  You will also be asked to select a Participant Type.  Unless you are employed as a State or Regional Director in Cooperative Extension, please select All Other Users as your Participant Type.  Then click Enroll to move to the next step.

3. Begin by reviewing the information which appears and change or fill in items as needed.  Make sure a Program Name and Program Year have been selected.  Identify  your role as either Volunteer or Member.  If a selection box appears to the right of the role you choose, please further define your role by making a selection from that box as well. Make sure your county is highlighted and remember to select the club or group to which you belong.  4-H members may also make project selections on this screen.  When you are satisfied that the section is complete, click Update.

4. The next Tab is the Consent Info tab.  Under this tab we ask that you read and sign the Cooperative Extension policies, releases and/or codes which are applicable to your participation.  Please make sure to check your choices and then click Sign Agreement.

5. The final step is to complete the information required under the Emergency Info tab. Please note that you must list 2 emergency contacts to submit your enrollment application.

 

Note:  As an e-data user you may revise or update your own information by simply logging into e-data, selecting the appropriate tab, and clicking Edit. You may then make changes to your records and save them by clicking Update. It is very important to remember to click Update to save the changes.

 

Special Instructions for Multiple Enrollments

· Individuals may have more than one role in the Cooperative Extension Program in which they volunteer or participate in more than one program.  For example, someone may serve as both a Master Gardener and a 4-H Leader.  These multiple roles need to be identified in the e-data system. 

· Once you have completed and verified your initial enrollment, you may add additional program, club, or group enrollments by clicking New at the top right of the Enrollment Status Bar.  When you click New, you will be asked to complete information on the additional Extension program, group or club in which you are participating.

· When you have completed that information, click Update and the system will record your second enrollment.  You will then see a second entry in the Enrollment Status Bar.  You may repeat this process for each Extension Program, group, or club in which you are enrolled.

Registering in e-data for the first time

Step 1: Log in to the e-data site

Step 2: You will see a list of upcoming activities.  You may review activity details or actually register to participate. Just click on Register or Details.

Using e-data after your have registered

The e-data system was piloted from January through September, 2009.  Development and testing of the system are ongoing and all functions have not yet been enabled.  If you find a problem, please report it to your county Extension office so that we can correct it. 

We are very interested in receiving suggestions from users about ways to improve and enhance e-data.  If you have a suggestion, please share it with staff at your county Extension Office.  We really want to hear from you!

Providing feedback

  The Phases of e-data

What does “Transition Phase” Mean?

 

e-data is being rolled out in phases.  In Phase I, Cooperative Extension volunteers and members in all Central Region counties were asked to input their enrollment information including contact, biographical, emergency contact, photo release, county, club, and code agreement data.  In January 2009, piloting began with members and volunteers in the 4-H Program. In June, 2009 Volunteers participating in Master Gardener, Forest Steward, and Master Well Owner Programs as well as those serving on Extension Boards were invited to join in pilot activities.  Transition to the e-data system by all 67 Pennsylvania counties began on October 1, 2009.

When each phase is satisfactorily completed, subsequent phases such as those focusing on 4-H horse and livestock programs, administrative functions, program reporting, online payment functions, and other features that will make it easier for volunteers, 4-H members and Extension staff to communicate, share, record and evaluate information will begin.

 

This page contains Quick Tips only.

Detailed e-data information and instructions are available from your local County Extension office. 

Step 3: If you would like to view or update your user information, you will need to click on the corresponding tab  Once in the correct tab, you may edit the user information contained in that tab.

Statewide transition to e-data began on October 1, 2009.

If you forget your password, please go to

https://fps.psu.edu/pwreset/index.html

and follow the instructions for resetting it.
Text Box: Portions of the e-data system are operational while others are still under development; The entire system is not finished and therefore will not operate flawlessly; Feedback is needed from users to guide further development so the completed system reflects exactly what users need; Extension staff should use all available system features and encourage volunteers in all programs as well as 4-H members to enroll and use the system; Volunteers and 4-H members should report any problems encountered for correction and are encouraged to make suggestions for additions and improvements to Extension staff members in their respective counties; Extension staff should report problems and request changes and additions to Debra Burrows. Once the system is fully developed, it will become much more difficult and costly to make modifications. So please, “jump in” to using e-data and share your feedback and suggestions.

· If you experience difficulty scrolling on a page in the e-data system, it may be due to your computer’s screen resolution settings.  For optimum e-data viewing, please set your screen resolution setting to 1024 x 768 or higher.

· The e-data site requires a current browser with Javascript and cookies enabled.  Other browsers and browsers without Javascript and cookies enabled will see graphical errors or may be denied access completely.  Due to the technology used in creating the site, Internet Explorer 6 and above will provide the most satisfying experience.  Some of the reporting functions on the site require Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Please be advised that if you are running pop-up blockers, you may be unable to view all of the pages and reports on the e-data site.