17 pages., Via online journal., Purpose: This paper presents economic and pedagogical motivations for adopting information and communications technology (ICT)-mediated learning networks in agricultural education and extension. It proposes a framework for networked learning in agricultural extension and contributes a theoretical and case-based rationale for adopting the networked learning paradigm.
Design/methodology/approach: A review of the literature highlights the economic and pedagogical need for adopting a networked learning approach. Two examples are described to instantiate the language for learning networks: a small community of farmers in India and large Twitter community of Australian farmers.
Findings: This paper reviews evidence that successful networked learning interventions are already occurring within agricultural extension. It provides a framework for describing these interventions and for helping future designers of learning networks in agricultural extension.
Practical implication: Facilitation of learning networks can serve to achieve efficient agricultural extension that connects farmers across distances for constructivist learning. To realize these benefits, designers of learning networks need to consider set design, social design and epistemic design.
Theoretical implication: This paper contributes a theoretical framework for designing, implementing and analysing learning networks in agriculture. It does this by integrating existing ideas from networked learning and applying them to the agricultural context through examples.
Originality/value: This paper contributes an understanding of the value of networked learning for extension in terms of economic and pedagogical benefits. It provides a language for talking about learning networks that is useful for future researchers and for practitioners.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C27713
Notes:
Presented at the National Extension Technology Conference in 2008, Raleigh, North Carolina. Information posted at http://netc08.ces.ncsu.edu., via online access, 27 slides, Abstract provided by presentor: VPs, Deans and Department Heads are the gatekeepers for funds and other resources that are needed for the new and innovative IT projects swimming around in your head. How do you assemble your thoughts, sell your colleagues, and then find the right time to pitch the Dean (or whomever) to get what you want and need? Examples and case studies will illustrate. Bring project ideas along for on-site discussion and review.
