Extension Youth Educators’ Technology Use in Youth Development Programming

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to determine the use of technology in youth programming by Extension youth development educators in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Data were collected via e-mail and a SurveyMonkey© questionnaire. Extension educators are using some technology in youth development programming. More than three-fourths of Extension youth educators are using Facebook; however, less than one fourth of Extension youth educators are using Twitter which contradicts previous research. Having technology available for use explains a medium amount of the technology use among Extension youth educators; however, perceived barriers, anxiety, age, gender, years of experience, and sources of technology training do not explain Extension youth educators technology use in their programming. Extension youth educators fit the description of digital immigrants who assume that today’s learners acquire knowledge the same way they learned when they were in school.