The role of Extension in outreach and education of virtual fencing: suggested best practices that leverage Kolb's experiential learning theory

Abstract

• •
  Extension can fill a gap between understanding virtual fencing (VF) technology and implementing it on the landscape by providing unbiased information to stakeholders.
• •
  Kolb's experiential learning theory (ELT) focuses on how individuals learn best by doing, which can help learners enhance critical thinking, develop a deeper understanding of the material, and support lifelong learning.
• •
  We advocate that Extension educators leverage ELT by also considering different customer types as they relate to technology adoption: early adopters, early majority, and late majority.
• •
  Extension educators can focus outreach efforts on awareness campaigns, field demonstrations, peer learning groups (PLG), and research to foster the adoption of new precision ranching technologies such as VF.
• •
  PLG can foster a learning community in which producers share experiences using VF, allowing the PLG to then become a successful network of individuals with common goals and establish communication, honesty, trust, and a shared worldview.
• •
  ELT can be extended to teaching college students about precision ranching technologies because these students are future rangeland management professionals who will encounter further advancements and offerings of precision ranching technology such as VF.