More on e-extension
Following an earlier post on e-extension in Australia, other related sites and stories seem to be surfacing. Dean points to a recent initiative in the Philippines, and the USA has eXtension. There are surely many more examples ...The June 2008 issue of the Journal of Extension has a series of articles around e-extension experiences. The editor is "particularly happy" with the range of articles "going from 'in house' considerations, like a study of adoption of eXtension, Extension's role in bridging the broadband digital divide, and dealing with Web-based surveys, to ways we use the Web and other forms of technology to reach out to our audiences. Pretty cool."
The articles dive into wikis, blogs, virtual learning, knowledge sharing, communities of practice, and more.
If you wonder what people in e-extension actually do, Charles Ray writes about the 'Virtual Extension Specialist' that "knows no bounds or end to its work" - seems very similar to the virtual aginfo specialist!
Labels: aginfo, e_agriculture, eagri, en, extension
posted by Peter Ballantyne at Sunday, October 12, 2008
1 Comments:
Hi Peter, thanks for the link to the J.O.E. article. Most definitely there are scattered pockets of eExtension worldwide.
I guess you might argument that the first extension DVD was some form of eExtension.
In Australia eExtension has been defined as involving the use of Web2.0 and Social Media tools. However I don't see any value about arguing about definition.
Both Agriculture and the planet's natural systems face immense challenges. For us to build an Agriculture that enhances environment and an environment that is robust enough to thrive in the face of a growing global population. We will require evolved knowledge and participation.
I see the use of social media as being the key to creating the knowledge systems and community to do that.
Based on my observations very few Government Agencies or NGOs are using Social Media in a meaningful way. The world is participating in user generated/filtered/distributed content in a massive way and this grows daily. Since there is nothing in the world more important to the long term survival of the human race that healthy food and fibre and a healthy environment (i.e. good water, clean air, etc). It would be wonderful to see the most effective knowledge and communication tools being used in extension.
I hope many extension people respond to your post and mine, proving me wrong. Showing widespread examples of extension initiatives embracing the semantic web and social media.
All the best, Dean
I would be delighted to be show this to be otherwise.
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