Use of Computer and Internet in Agricultural Extension as Perceived by Extension Workers

The purpose of this study was to determine computer andinternet use in agricultural extension by extension workers(ews). this study used a descriptive-correlational design.population for the study consisted of all extension workers (n= 320) in isfahan province, iran. a stratified sampling techniqueand census was used to select ews (n = 200). overall, findingsindicate that ews have access to computers both at work andhome. on average, they use computers approximately 6 – 8hours per week and majority of them use the internet onaverage of 1 – 4 hours per week. a majority of them reported“fair to high level” of skills in computer usage. for example,writing cds, word processing, using computers for file management,and basic computer skills. however, extension agent’sreport “no to a low level” of skills relative to using excel,installing software, power point and micro soft access, photoshop,statistical software, were the skills that ews did not have. itwas proved necessary to conduct a systematic assessment oftraining needs relative to computer and internet use. systematictraining should be conducted in the areas that extensionworkers perceived to be less skill.