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ADOPTION, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR USE OF WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES BY AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS IN NEW JERSEY

Applied Research

Daniel Kluchinski
County Agent I (Professor)
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension
New Brunswick

Abstract

A 2008 survey of county-based agricultural and resource management personnel was conducted. Respondents were asked about barriers to using Web 2.0 technologies, their previous use of and contributions to internet-based communication, hardware devices used, and their use in programmatic activities. The greatest barriers to use were lack of time to learn/use the technologies (56%), and lack of knowledge about how to use these technologies (47%). The most frequently used technologies were e-mail list serves (93%), on-line purchasing (47%) and product reviews (41%), while respondents reported rarely/never using social bookmarking (94%), instant messaging (65%) or chat rooms (61%). The most frequent contributions were via e-mail list serves (59%), on-line purchases (28%) and social networks (21%), while those rarely/never contributed to were social bookmarking (100%), web feeds (97%) or podcasting (83%). While frequent use of computers at work (100%) and home (87%), and cell phones (100%), is high, the use of Slingbox, TiVo, Gamebox and Smart phones were low indicating a lack of acceptance or availability. Differences across career stages were observed; early career personnel (<10 years) are the highest frequency users of computers at home (100%), while late career employees (>20 years) are lowest (77%). 44% of early career employees reported frequent use of social networking sites compared to 11% of mid-career employees (10-20 years) and 0% of late-career employees. These data suggest a need for training to increase awareness and knowledge of Web 2.0 technologies, and how they may be used to increase efficiency, quality and reach of educational programming.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: D. Kluchinski*, J. Kinsey, S. J. Komar, J. McDonnell
  1. Kluchinski*, D. County Agent I, Rutgers Cooperative Extension/Agricultural and Resource Management, New Jersey, 08901
  2. Kinsey, J. County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension/Family and Community Health Sciences, New Jersey, 08330
  3. Komar, S. County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension/Agricultural and Resource Management Agent, New Jersey, 07860
  4. McDonnell, J. County Agent II, Rutgers Cooperative Extension/4-H Youth Development, New Jersey, 08901