Assessing Awareness and Competence of Best Practices in Synchronous Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Clemson Cooperative Extension Professionals

Abstract

Traditional delivery of Extension programming changed overnight in March 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak forced switching traditional methods to virtual delivery. Extension professionals across South Carolina quickly adapted to online delivery. Concerns over instructor preparedness to use online tools, including functions to assure accessibility, did arise. Findings from this non-experimental, descriptive research study suggested Extension professionals used online tools (primarily Zoom). The majority were not comfortable using many of the features that would enhance instruction, including polling, file transfer, and live-streaming media platforms. Additionally, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint skills to assure accessibility for clientele were lacking.

A Case Study of Nutrition Educators' Perspectives on the Delivery of Virtual Community Nutrition Programming

“…In this study, educators shared that they had many opportunities for training to learn how to utilize certain technology but little training on how to teach more effectively in this environment. Although use of technology increased amongst extension educators due to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, research suggests that extension professionals would benefit from additional training in utilizing online tools for synchronous delivery (Eck et al, 2022). This training can help in addressing the need for virtual nutrition education to be engaging and entertaining (Stotz et al, 2015;Stotz et al, 2017).…”

Peningkatan Kinerja Digital Penyuluh Pertanian Dinas Pertanian dan Pangan Kabupaten Banyuwangi Jawa Timur

“…Media social tersebut menjadi penunjang kegiatan penyuluhan dan dapat diterima sebagai media komunikasi digital yang dibangun diantara sesama petani dan antara petani dengan stakeholder lainnya. Penyuluh sukses dalam penyuluhan digital sejalan yang dinyatakan Eck et al bahwa keaktifan penyuluh menggunakan layanan digital dan didukung diberikan pelatihan merupakan penyuluh professional masa depan (Eck et al, 2022). Menguatnya tingkat literasi digital penyuluh berdampak pada kompetensi penyuluh yang meningkat.…”