Impact of Career Stage on Use of Web 2.0 Technologies by Agricultural and Natural Resource Management Extension Professionals in New Jersey
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 4, Issue 1 - June 2011
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
A 2008 survey of county-based agricultural and resource management personnel in New Jersey was conducted to determine based on career stage barriers to using Web 2.0 technologies, use of and contributions to Internet-based communication, hardware devices used, and use in programmatic activities. Data were sorted by career stage [early-career (<10 years), mid-career (10-20 years), and late-career (> 20 years)]. Early-career personnel are more frequently using a wider range of hardware technologies (such as computers at home, iPod/MP3) and Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, podcasts, web feeds, video) than their mid- and late-career colleagues. They also are contributing to a greater extent to Web 2.0 technologies (such as blogs, social networks, podcasts). Mid-career respondents expressed the greatest lack of time to learn these technologies (67%), as well as had the greatest perception that clientele are not up-to-speed on how to use them (44%). Late-career personnel are less likely to use computers at home, technologies such as instant messaging or podcasts, and prefer face-to-face interactions with clientele when compared to their early- and mid-career colleagues; however they reported the least lack of knowledge about (29%) or how to use (39%) Web 2.0 technologies. This study and the findings of others indicate career stage or age may correlate to use or lack of use of Web 2.0 technologies. More research needs to be conducted to understand the root causes of why Web 2.0 technology use is low in some groups, and how to best encourage and sustain use overall. This will aid in the development of relevant training for Cooperative Extension personnel to build capacity to meet the needs of our changing, technology-driven society.
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