Technical Yearbook 2023

DECEMBER

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Factors influencing knowledge uptake by practitioners – the nature of the knowledge transfer channel By Karien O’Kennedy

In the previous three blogs, the influence of the individual characteristics of the practitioner, the characteristics of the knowledge source and the nature of the knowledge itself on practitioner knowledge uptake were discussed. This fourth and final blog discusses the influence of the knowledge transfer channel.

Knowledge can be transferred in a one-directional or participatory/interactive way, where the term knowledge exchange is more appropriate. Some scholars also describe knowledge transfer channels as learning pathways. Agricultural practitioners usually use a combination of three learning pathways: technical, social and experiential. Technical learning Technical learning is achieved through formal education, reading print material, reading information online, reading e-mail newsletters, attending training programmes, attending conferences and seminars, and doing short

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TECHNICAL YEARBOOK 2023