Abstract:The concept of knowledge building communities has not traditionally been associated with agricultural extension, but is one which has the potential to increase the rate of adoption of best management practices by the industry. A potentially important mechanism to facilitate knowledge building is information and communication technology (ICT); however, very little research has been conducted on how effective it is in facilitating agricultural extension. In this study, the potential for the use of ICT to facilitate knowledge building communities in agriculture was investigated in the dairy industry. Drawing on qualitative analysis using a case study, this research showed that ICT can enhance the gaining of technical knowledge (an important goal of extension); however, it was less successful in increasing collaborative learning. It was found that hierarchies within the dairy learning group were maintained despite the use of ICT, and that this inhibited participation. The research concluded that ICT needs to be embedded in and supported by other forms of social interaction.

　　Subjects:Rural Extension; Interpersonal Relationship; Interaction; Agriculture; Educational Technology; Information Technology; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Occupations; Agricultural Production; Telecommunications; Computer Mediated Communication; Discussion Groups; Group Dynamics; Adult Education; Adult Students; Case Studies; Foreign Countries; Agribusiness

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