Professional communities
of extension agents
1. Introduction
2. Veneto experience
3. E-learning blended
4. Professional communities
5. Problems
19° European Seminar on Extension Education Stefano Barbieri
Assisi 2009 Veneto Agricoltura - Italy

1.1 - Introduction
The extension
service is
more like a
knowledge
market
the State makes the policies, the rules,
supports the farmers,
but doesn't manage the service
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.2 - Introduction
The farmer is
“free” to choose
the advisory
agency
If, he chooses an accredited agency
(according a set of criteria decided by State or
Region) the Public give him a x % of cost
(FAS in EU reg 1698/2005)
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.3 - Introduction
The consultants sell
his knowledge, his
skills, and compete
with each other
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.4 - Introduction
Strenght
aspect:
- more
attention to
farmers needs
- more power
in the hand of
the farmer
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.5 - Introduction
Hazards:
- dispersion of
resources
- lack of
coordination
- sterile
competition
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.6 - Introduction
the opportunity
to acquisition
and spread of
knowledge is
are multiplying,
are opening
New media – is
web – web 2.0
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.7 - Introduction
We can address the
present “situations of
turbulence” doing
appeal to a
highly professional
and
closely networked
system of knowledge
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.8 - Introduction
It is important to promote
- free circulation of
knowledge,
- professional development
based on processes of
collaborative learning,
- enhancement of the
experience gained at work
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

1.9 - Introduction
two strategic methodologies:
- training of technicians
through e-learning blended
- their informal aggregation
into networks of skill
(professional communities)
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

the Regional public Company for the
agricultural, forestry and agri-food sector
of Veneto Region – Nord-est Italy
- Research and experimentation
- Economic studies
- Nature and environmental conservation
and education
- Training and spreading information
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

2 - Veneto experiences on e-learning and
professional communities of extension agents
Adviser on cross compliance
- E-learning blended course
88 hours (22+66) – 2 months ½ - 16 editions - 400 technicens trained
- Professional community
Other e-learning
courses
- Management in
organic agriculture
- Bioenergy
- Beef traceability
- Safety on the job in
agriculture
http://elearning.regione.veneto.it/

3.1 – E-learning blended
E-LEARNING BLENDED
original texts class room
and in-depth
documents
Self-assessment study tour
tests
I think ...
forum Why ...?
Yes, but. ...
exercises
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

3.2 – E-learning blended
defined group of
students (20-30),
led by a tutor
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

3.3 – E-learning blended
The course cannot be
studied randomly,
but according
milestones
the students are
professional that risk
give priority to their
work engagements than
e-learning course, with
a continue postpone
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

3.4 – E-learning blended
active interaction
discuss in Forum,
upload documents and
pictures, ect.
share your experience
collaborative learning
This is the start to professional communities,
which keep alive a network of knowledge and relations
that conventional learning processes promote,
but rarely preserve in the long term
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

4.1 – Professional communities
a web (but not only)
social/professional-
network
where all professionals,
interested in a particular
subject,
are involved to share and
to expand
their knowledge,
professional skills,
experiences and solutions.
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

4.2 – Professional communities
NO traditional
educational experience,
but “professional”,
targeted at job and
focused on the experience
of the participants and
their ability and desire to
cooperate.
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

4.2 – Professional communities
More effective
communities are born
from a previous
e-learning course
Members know each
other, equal basic skills.
Familiar with network
The community generates among its members a
process of identification and aggregation among
"equals"
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

4.3 – Professional communities
New job for extension agent
“community builder” - stimulate the activities of members,
facilitate the approach to the technologies of the web, etc.
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

4.4 – Professional communities
Integrated projects,
that use different kinds of
tools and methodologies:
the printing and
dissemination of fact
sheets and handbooks, in-
depth seminars, etc..
These instruments play a role in enhancing the
diffusion of knowledge and support the
consultancy activities of the agents.
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

Integrate project
Individual
information handbook
service
Advisory
sheets Dossier
Check-list
Cross compliance Training
workshops
e-learning
Internet Professional
community

5.1 – Problems
Digital device
Estension agents:
no-expert about
informatics tools and
their language.
prefer express
themselves verbally
than writing
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

5.2 – Problems
Professional jealousy
market of knowledge vs. collaborative learning
- skills, knowledge as a precious personal
resource
- competence and knowledge improve thanks
to the contribute and the experience of all.
Give the right space for
experiential knowledge ...
often take the form of stories ...
told in informal spaces and
informally , en famille
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

5.3 – Problems
Hesitation of civil servants to
expose themselves
Often the issues being discussed
are legislation problems
Often civil servants are teachers
or experts
but generally they are afraid to
expose themselves in informal
situations such as web forums, in
which their answers appear such as
an official document
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

5.4 – Problems
The method change the knowledge ?
G. Siemens (Knowing Knowledge, 2006)
Professional communities of extension agents Stefano Barbieri - Italy

Professional communities
of extension agents
Stefano Barbieri - Veneto Agricoltura
www.venetoagricoltura.org
stefano.barbieri@venetoagricoltura.org
19° European Seminar on Extension Education Stefano Barbieri
Assisi 2009 Veneto Agricoltura - Italy