OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Abstract

A nationwide study using delphi techniques was conducted to develop consensus and provide focus and direction for future research activities concerning the adoption of electronic communication, information, and imaging technologies for instructional use in agricultural education settings. A panel of 61 distance education experts were identified The four objectives were to identify the: I)positive effects of electronic technologies designed to facilitate communication, information gathering/retrieval, and imaging for instruction; 2) major obstacles that must be overcome in their adoption; 3) most promising technologies at the secondly level; 4) most promising technologies at the post-secondary level. Panelists suggested 21 ways these technologies improve instruction; responses clustered around: 1) increased availability of educational opportunities; 2) improved informational resources; 3) more effective instructional materials; 4)more convenient delivery methods.. Panelists achieved consensus on 13 obstacles, which clustered around: 1) time constraints; 2) lack of a formalized faculty reward system; 3) lack of technical support; 4) equipment costs; 5) inadequately designed facilities. There was little difference between technologies identified as being most promising for the secondary and post-secondary levels. In general, panelists identified technologies clustered around four systems areas: I) distributed information; 2) computer-based information; 3) computer-assisted telecommunications; 4) graphical image production and display.