Brown, J. Lynne (author), Epp, Donald J. (author), Fisher, Ann (author), King, Robert (author), Maretzki, Audrey N. (author), and Department of Agricultural Economics, Penn State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C08020
James F. Evans Collection, This article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of model materials designed as one step in helping consumers understand how scientists assess food risks, how that information is used in food safety policy decisions, and what individuals can do to protect themselves from residual risks. Focus groups provided feedback on draft materials, and experts reviewed the simplified descriptions of specific food risks to assure consistency with current scientific knowledge. We used pilot tests to examine (1) whether initial factual questions would prompt more learning, and (2) the relative effectiveness of two formats: a paper version similar to typical government pamphlets and an interactive computer version. People learned about food safety from either version. There was little evidence that the "prompting" questions led to more learning, nor did subjects learn more from the computer version. Results suggest that the materials made respondents more comfortable about their own ability to choose and prepare safe food and increased their confidence in actions taken by government and industry. (original)
Campbell, S. Michael (author), Gamon, Julia (author), Roe, Roger (author), and Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C08021
James F. Evans Collection, All of the 100 county Extension offices in Iowa have a set of six water quality videotapes available for use by clientele. The state water quality Extension specialist designed the high quality tapes, each 20 minutes long, to be viewed at home by clients who had water questions. The question was: "Should video by used again as an educational delivery method?" Responses to a telephone survey of county office assistants indicated a wide variation in the use of video tapes, although over 75% liked the idea of information via tapes. The counties needed assistance with publicity and displays, something that area media specialists might provide. (original)
Makuch, Joseph R. (author), Robillard, Paul D. (author), and Makuch: Water Quality Information Center, NAL; Robillard: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07856
computer-assisted instruction, James F. Evans Collection, Successful integration of CIA (computer-assisted instruction) into Cooperative Extension in-service training programs requires acceptance of CIA by staff. This study examined Extension agent attitudes toward paired/cooperative CIA. Subjects were thirty Pennsylvania Extension agents. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. Subjects completed attitude surveys before and after using a CIA tutorial with a partner on "proper water well location and construction." Although subjects' overall attitudes toward CIA became more favorable following CIA use in pairs, the difference was not significant. However, on the two subscales measuring comfort and creativity, subjects attitudes toward CIA became significantly more favorable.
James F. Evans Collection, Videoconferencing has many uses in education and management, and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service tried a new application of the technology. In an attempt to involve as many county, district, and state staff members as possible, an interview was conducted via videoconference for the position of Field Operations Assistant Director. The results of a follow-up survey showed that interviewing candidates via videoconference can be a cost-effective alternative to face-to-face interviewing. (original)
Smith, Edward J. (author), Telg, Ricky W. (author), Tomlinson, Don E. (author), and Department of Journalism, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; Television Communication Specialist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station; Department of Journalism, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C08023
James F. Evans Collection, The purpose of this study was to learn about print news units within agricultural communications departments across the land-grant university system, specifically: (1) How much is invested into print news, (2) The type and nature of projects produced, (3) How audiences are defined, and (4) Answers to questions relating to production, distribution, marketing, and demographics. A questionnaire was mailed to all 52 land-grant university agricultural communications departments (50 states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands)> The return rate was 80.8 percent. Among the findings: reporters overwhelmingly had a journalism/mass communications employment background; almost half of the news release output was of a "feature story" variety. Print news components (called PNCs by the authors) placed the most emphasis on "production agriculture" (producing most releases about this subject) and "nutrition or personal health". Marketing was primarily a function of geography, rather than audience demographics. (original)
James F. Evans Collection, This study was designed to describe the amount and kind of writing recent College of Agricultural Sciences baccalaureate degree graduates complete on the job, their perceptions of the importance of on-the-job writing, and the graduates' level of satisfaction with their writing preparation at Penn State. A questionnaire was mailed to 309 recent College of Agricultural Sciences alumni and 48.4% responded. The majority of respondents were white males (23-26 years old), worked in agriculture-related jobs in Pennsylvania, and earned between $20,000 and $29,999 a year. Respondents wrote less than eight hours a week and wrote a variety of forms such as letters, memos, and reports to different audiences. Respondents felt that the ability to write well was important, and in general, were satisfied with their undergraduate writing courses. (author).
