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UMI A.STUDY OF ACTUAL AND PREFERRED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND MICROCOMPUTER USAGE IN A SELECTED GROUP OF MICHIGAN FARMERS By Thomas L y le T h o rb u rn A DISSERTATION S u b m itte d to M ich ig an S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l l m e n t o f th e r e q u ir e m e n ts f o r th e d e g re e o f DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY D ep artm en t o f E d u c a tio n a l A d m in is tr a tio n 1987 A STUDY OF ACTUAL AND PREFERRED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND MICROCOMPUTER USAGE IN A SELECTED GROUP OF MICHIGAN FARMERS 3y Thomas I y l e T lio rb u rn AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION S u b m itte d to M ich ig an S t a t e U n iv e r s it y i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l l m e n t o f th e r e q u ir e m e n ts f o r th e d e g re e o f DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY D ep artm en t o f E d u c a tio n a l A d m in i s t r a ti o n 1987 ABSTRACT A STUDY OF ACTUAL AND PREFERRED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND MICROCOMPUTER USAGE AMONG A SELECTED GROUP OF MICHIGAN FARMERS By Thomas L yle T h o rb u rn The p u rp o s e of th is s tu d y was to e x p lo r e m ic ro c o m p u te r re la te d l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s c a r r i e d o u t b y a s e l e c t e d num ber o f f a r m e r s who have m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s u c c e s s f u l l y u se them in th e ir farm b u s i n e s s . The p rim a ry f o c u s was to i n v e s t i g a t e th e l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e s and a c t i v i t i e s in th e fa rm e rs e ffe c tiv e p u rp o s e d e s ire use was in quest of to fo r g a i n in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r d e s c rib e o rd e r to use k n o w led g e, s k ill d e v e lo p m e n t in th e ir farm b u s i n e s s . th e p re ferre d ty p e s of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r le a rn in g s u c c e s s fu lly A seco n d th a t in and fa rm e rs th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s . The tw e lv e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere s e l e c t e d from th e own m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n A lle g a n and Lenawee C o u n tie s . re s p o n d to a q u e s t i o n n a i r e and an i n t e r v i e w a re a s o f in q u iry : to th e p u rc h a se p re fe re n c e s m ic ro c o m p u te r fo r in 1) of They w ere a sk e d to t h a t c o v e re d th e f o llo w in g ty p e o f l e a r n i n g t h a t th e y p a r t i c i p a t e d i n p r i o r th e le a rn in g th e ir t e c h n o lo g ie s f o r t h e i r f a r m e r s who m ic ro c o m p u te r how farm to u se s k ills and b u s in e s s ; fa rm ; A) f u t u r e know ledge and i n c r e a s i n g and in th e a fte r u tiliz e 3) th e th e p u rc h a se ; s u c c e s s fu lly a d o p tio n of 2) th e new s u p p o r t n eed ed f o r l e a r n i n g new u se o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. The q u e s t i o n n a i r e and i n t e r v i e w d a t a w ere a n a ly z e d and sum m arized to o b t a i n Thomas Lyle Thorburn th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s v ie w s and o p i n i o n s . T h is s tu d y r e s u l t e d th e 12 f a r m e r s i n in tr o d u c tio n fa r m e r s and a v a ila b ility . in m ic ro c o m p u te rs p r i o r a The seco n d v a rie ty of to p u r c h a s in g t h i s illu s tra te d th a t so u rc e s tra in in g , th e th e s tu d y m ic ro c o m p u te r. T h ere th e s tu d y lo o k e d se v e ra l p a rtic ip a n ts a tte n d d ire c te d p re fe r hands le a rn in g a t t h e i r and u s e r m a n u als f o r f in d in g re la te s p a rtic ip a n ts to to m ic ro c o m p u te r i n on fu tu re a c h ie v e th e ir w h ile u s in g th e ir le a rn in g g o a ls farm b u s i n e s s e s . o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s would l i k e u se o f in f o r m a tio n on fin d in g i s m ic ro c o m p u te rs p ro g ram s t h a t th e and s e lf­ th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g o p p o rtu n itie s e x p a n d in g d e s ire d th e A s e v e n th f i n d i n g u se is A s ix th by th e of th e t h a t 75% to h av e th e C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n The f a r m e r s i n s tu d y know v e r y few o t h e r f a r m e r s who a r e u s in g m ic ro c o m p u te rs in t h e i r n e ig h b o rh o o d s . be h e lp fu l sh a re f in d in g A fo u rth fin d in g i s S e r v ic e o r g a n iz e m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p s f o r f a n n e r s . th is 12 about th e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. fo r th e d iffe re n tw o f e d u c a tio n a l A fifth in many of farm a n d / o r home i n u s in g le a rn in g th e to d ev e lo p m e n t i n a v a rie ty tra in in g th a t The t h i r d so u rc e s s p o n s o re d b y many d i f f e r e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s . p a rtic ip a n ts t h a t 10 o f e x p e r ie n c e s te c h n o lo g y . and s k i l l w ere was le a rn in g p a rtic ip a n ts i n f o r m a tio n fin d in g m ic ro c o m p u te rs u t i l i z e d by th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . th a t F irs t, th e s tu d y a d o p t new te c h n o lo g ie s s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e i r p a rtic ip a te d fo r i n s e v e n m a jo r c o n c l u s i o n s . to them They f e l t t h a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p would to e s ta b lis h a n e tw o rk o f m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r s , to t e m p l a t e s , in f o r m a tio n and m eth o d s f o r u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n th e farm b u s i n e s s . A cknow ledgm ents My s i n c e r e th a n k s i s e x te n d e d to M axine F e r r i s , my d o c t o r a l co m m ittee who th r o u g h o u t th e g r a d u a te p ro v id e d e x p ert th e c h a i r p e r s o n o f g u id a n c e and en co u ra g em en t My a p p r e c i a t i o n i s a l s o e x te n d e d to p ro g ra m . th e o t h e r members o f my g r a d u a t e c o m m itte e , C a r r o l l Wamhoff, S. L ev in e and D a n ie l K ru g e r whose w isdom , q u e s t i o n s Jo se p h and s u g g e s tio n s w ere m o st h e l p f u l i n th e c o m p le tio n o f t h i s s tu d y . My a p p r e c i a t i o n i s e x te n d e d t o G eorge M a n s e ll and Gordon W u e th ric h f o r i d e n t i f y i n g th e i n d i v i d u a l s who p a r t i c i p a t e d i n th e s tu d y . % th a n k s g o e s to th e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n th e s tu d y f o r t h e i r tim e and i n s i g h t s t h a t made th e s tu d y p o s s i b l e . My a p p re c ia tio n a s s is ta n c e in is p re p a rin g e x te n d e d th e to Ms. m a n u s c r i p t. S h erry M ile s k i Her p a t i e n c e from fo r her th e v e ry hav e a ll s t a r t was a p p r e c i a t e d . My w ife g iv e n up Je a n n e many e n c o u ra g e m e n t c o m p le te d . and h o u rs and of lo v e c h ild re n , f a m ily w ith o u t Jon, tim e w hich M atthew and and th e p ro v id e d ta s k J e n ife r me would u n d e r s ta n d i n g , not have b een My s i n c e r e s t th a n k s to e a c h o f them f o r t h e i r s u p p o r t. A s p e c i a l n o te o f th a n k s to many E x te n s io n co w o rk e rs who p r o v id e d en c o u ra g e m e n t and s u p p o r t d u r in g th e many y e a r s o f c o u r s e w ork, c l a s s e s and th e d is s e rta tio n p re p a ra tio n . n o te o f th a n k s f o r h i s c o m p le te th e d e g re e c o n f id e n c e - D r. One i n d i v i d u a l i n my a b i l i t i e s Gordon G u y er, M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e . iii d e se rv e s a s p e c ia l and e n co u ra g em en t to D ire c to r E tn e ritu s of th e TABLE OF CONTENTS Page L i s t o f T a b l e s ................................................................................................................................. v i L i s t o f F i g u r e s .............................................................................................................................v i i L i s t o f A p p e n d ic e s ................................................................................................................... v i i i C h a p te r I. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1 P u r p o s e ................................. .............................................................. ...................................1 A s s u m p tio n s...........................................................................................................................2 P ro b lem A re a ........................................................................................................................ 3 D e f i n i t i o n o f T erm s........................................................................................................4 F a c t o r s A f f e c ti n g th e S tu d y ....................................................................................... 6 S i g n i f i c a n c e o f S tu d y ...................................................................................................7 L im ita tio n s . .......................................... M eth o d o lo g y ...................................................................................................... 8 9 O r g a n iz a tio n o f th e D i s s e r t a t i o n ......................................................................... 11 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE.................................................................................................... 12 I n t r o d u c t i o n ......................................................................................................................12 A d u lt E d u c a tio n ...............................................................................................................13 M ic ro c o m p u te rs i n F arm in g and E x t e n s io n ........................................................ 16 A d u lt E d u c a tio n and M ic ro c o m p u te rs .................................................................... 22 Summary..................................................................................................................................29 iv III. METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................ 26 I n t r o d u c t i o n ......................................................................... 26 P ro b lem A re a ......................................................................................................................26 A s s u m p tio n s ........................................................................................................................ 27 S o u rc e s o f D a ta .............................................................................................................. 28 S tu d y P o p u la tio n and S am p le.................................................................................. 29 I n te r v i e w D e s c r i p t i o n ................................................................................................ 32 M anagement and A n a ly s is o f D a ta .........................................................................33 IV . STUDY FINDINGS................................................................................................................. 36 I n t r o d u c t i o n ......................................................................................................................36 M e th o d o lo g ic a l F in d n g s ..............................................................................................36 D e s c r i p t i o n o f S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ....................................................................39 Type o f M icro co m p u ter H ardw are and S o f tw a r e ............................................ 47 L e a rn in g A c t i v i t i e s U n d e rta k e n ........................................................................... 57 P r e f e r r e d L e a rn in g M eth o d s.................................................................................... 67 F u tu r e L e a rn in g N e e d s ................................................................................................ 74 Summary o f F i n d i n g s ................... V. ............8 0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS...............................................................82 I n t r o d u c t i o n ......................................................................................................................82 Summary o f F i n d i n g s .....................................................................................................83 C o n c lu s io n s ........................................................................................................................87 I m p l i c a t i o n s ......................................................................................................................92 R ecom m endations f o r F u tu r e R e s e r c h ..................................................................99 A p p e n d ic e s ......................................................................................................................................... 100 L i s t o f R e f e r e n c e s ...................................................................................................................... 133 v LIST OF TABLES T ab le Number Page Number 1 . Summary o f E d u c a tio n a l C h o ic es A v a ila b le to M ic ro c o m p u te r U s e r s ....................................................................................... 18 2. Number o f M ic ro c o m p u te rs Owned by M ich ig an F a r m e r s ............ 29 3 . L i s t o f M ich ig an C o u n tie s w ith 30 o r More F arm ers Owning M ic ro c o m p u te rs .............................. 30 4. S e le c te d C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ......................41 5. Farm I n f o r m a t i o n .............................................................................................42 6. Farm C om m odities P r o d u c e d ....................................................................... 46 7. F a m ily Owned L e is u r e Time T e c h n o lo g ie s .........................................47 8. M icro co m p u ter H ardw are Used i n Farm B u s in e s s .......................... 51 9 . Im p o rta n c e o f S o u rc e s o f I n f o r m a tio n P r i o r to M ic ro c o m p u te r P u r c h a s e ................................................................................ 53 10. M icro co m p u ter S o f tw a r e .............................................................................. 54 11. C om puter N etw orks A ccessed by S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ................. 56 12. Farm F i n a n c i a l R ecord K eep in g and Inomce Tax P r e p a r a t i o n .......................................................................................................... 57 1 3 . F a c t o r s I n f l u e n c i n g th e D e c is io n to A tte n d E d u c a tio n a l M e e tin g s .....................................................................................65 14. S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ' C h o ice f o r L e a rn in g How to Use th e M ic ro c o m p u te r................................. 70 15. S u g g e s tio n s Made to O th e r F a rm e rs B e fo re P u r c h a s in g a M ic ro c o m p u te r................................................................................................ 79 16. S u g g e s tio n s Made to O th e r F a rm e rs A f te r P u r c h a s in g a M ic ro c o m p u te r.................................................................................................79 vi INDEX OF FIGURES F ig u r e Number Page Number 1. D o lla r s o f G ro ss Farm Incom e f o r 1 9 8 6 ........................................... 43 2* O ff-F arm INcome f o r 1986 i n D o l l a r s ................................................44 3 . Y ear o f M ic ro c o m p u te r P u rc h a s e by th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t ............................................................................................49 4 . H ours o f M icro co m p u ter Use P e r Week by th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t ............................................................................................30 5. D o lla r s S p e n t to L e a rn M icro co m p u ter U sa g e ................................59 6. M ethod o f U sin g th e M icro co m p u ter K ey b o a rd ............................... 62 7 . S e l f A ssessm en t o f Speed and A ccu racy i n U sing th e M ic ro c o m p u te r K e y b o a rd ................................................................................63 8 . Amount o f Money P a r t i c i p a n t s Would be W illin g to Pay f o r L e a r n in g O p p o r t u n i t i e s .............................................................69 9 . H ours P a r t i c i p a n t s W illin g to Spend on T r a in in g D u rin g th e N ext Y e a r ...................................................................... 77 vii LIST OF APPENDICES A ppendix Page A. C o n sen t Form .......................................................................................................................... 100 B. L e t t e r o f C o n f ir m a tio n to C ounty E x te n s io n S t a f f .......................................101 C. L e t t e r o f C o n f ir m a tio n D. Thank you L e t t e r t o S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ............................................................104 E. Q u e s t i o n n a i r e ........................................................................................................................103 F. I n te r v ie w Q u e s tio n s ......................................................................................... G. I n te r v i e w S c h e d u le ............................................................................................................ 131 H. Map o f S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t ’ s L o c a tio n ................................................................... 132 to S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ..............................................103 viii 118 CHAPTER I In tro d u c tio n M ich ig an fa r m e r s lik e o th e r a d u lt le a rn e rs , use e d u c a t i o n a l r e s o u r c e s to m eet t h e i r l e a r n i n g n e e d s . who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs , th e use a c q u ire o f a m ic ro c o m p u te r i s C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n a v a rie ty How th e s e f a r m e r s , know ledge and d e v e lo p t h e i r of c ritic a l S e r v ic e s in c e an of s k ills im p o rta n c e to in c re a s in g num ber in th e M ich igan of th e o r g a n i z a t i o n 's e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s u se th e m ic ro c o m p u te r a s a te a c h in g to o l. The M ich ig an C o o p e r a ta iv e fa c ilita te le a rn in g m ic ro c o m p u te r fin a n c ia l to a id re c o rd a c tiv itie s them in k e e p in g , E x te n s io n S e r v ic e fo r fa r m e r s fin a n c ia l p r o d u c tio n s t a f f members a l s o th ro u g h a n a ly s is , re c o rd th e u se of th e c a s h flo w m anagem ent, a n a ly s is and in o th e r s i t u a t i o n s t h a t r e q u i r e com plex d e c i s i o n m a k in g . P u rp o se The p u rp o s e o f t h i s s tu d y was to e x p lo r e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r r e l a t e d l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s c a r r i e d o u t by a s e l e c t e d num ber o f f a r m e r s who have m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e them i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . The p rim a ry f o c u s was to i n v e s t i g a t e th e l e a r n i n g e x p e r ie n c e s and a c t i v i t i e s in th e fa rm e rs' e ffe c tiv e p u rp o s e d e s ire quest fo r g a i n in g k n o w led g e, u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n was in to o rd e r d e s c rib e to use s k ill d e v elo p m en t t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . th e p re fe rre d typeB th e m ic ro c o m p u te r of le a r n in g s u c c e s s fu lly A seco n d th a t in and fa rm e rs th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s . More s p e c i f i c a l l y , t h i s s tu d y in c lu d e d th e f o llo w in g b ro a d a r e a s o f 1 2 in q u iry : 1. What le a rn in g a c tiv itie s have fa n n e rs, who have m ic ro c o m p u te rs , engaged i n to a c q u i r e th e s k i l l s and k n ow ledge r e q u i r e d t o u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs f o r t h e i r farm b u s in e s s e s ? 2. How do f a r m e r s p r e f e r t o l e a r n to i n c r e a s e t h e i r know ledge and s k ills in th e u se of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r in th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s ? 3. What ty p e s o f e d u c a t i o n a l s u p p o r t do f a rm e rs need to i n c r e a s e t h e i r u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s in e s s e s ? T h is re se a rc h p ro je c t sought to c o n trib u te to e x is tin g know ledge a b o u t e d u c a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s u n d e r ta k e n by f a r m e r s . The a r e a s to th e o f in q u iry , le a rn in g a c tiv itie s them s u c c e s s f u l l y i n was on th e le a rn in g w h ile som ewhat g e n e r a l , of fa rm e rs re la te d c lo s e ly who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs and u s e t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . a c tiv itie s a re The f o c u s o f th e r e s e a r c h o f th e s e l e c t e d fa rm e rs a s s o c ia te d w ith th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. In a d d i t i o n , th e r e s e a r c h e x p lo r e d th e p a r t i c i p a n t s ' p re fe rre d le a rn in g m eth o d s e ffe c tiv e use of th e to in c re a s e m ic ro c o m p u te r in th e ir th e ir k n o w led g e, farm b u s in e s s . s k ills It and a ls o s o u g h t to d e te r m in e w hat a d d i t i o n a l l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s — i f any — a r e n eed e d by th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s to i n c r e a s e k n ow ledge and s k i l l s in th e u s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . A ssu m p tio n s T h is s tu d y was b u i l t aro u n d a s e t o f a s s u m p tio n s a b o u t th e f a r m e rs who own and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs f o r more th a n one p u rp o s e in t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . F o r th e p u rp o s e o f th e s tu d y i t i s assum ed t h a t 3 th e s e fa rm e rs: - p e r c e iv e th e m s e lv e s a s a d o p tin g new t e c h n o l o g i e s e a r l y a f t e r th e i n t r o d u c t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y o f th e new t e c h n o l o g i e s ; - 'h a v e d e v o te d tim e t o le a rn in g a b o u t th e u s e and a p p l i c a t i o n of m ic ro c o m p u te rs to t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s ; - h av e s o u g h t o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s from a v a r i e t y o f s o u r c e s ; - a re in v o lv e d in a num ber o f l e a r n i n g a c tiv itie s e a c h y e a r and s e e k o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s r e l a t e d to m ic r o c o m p u te r s ; - l e a r n from a v a r i e t y o f e d u c a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s . P ro b lem A rea The u se and o w n e rsh ip o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n re la tiv e ly co m p u ter new phenom enon, b a se d a g ric u ltu ra l s e rv ic e s co m p u te r d e v e lo p e d by fin a n c ia l re c o rd a id s, s o il ev en over th e s e rv ic e s la n d -g r a n t th o u g h fa rm e rs past and 25 a n im a l h av e u sed a y e a rs. Many e d u c a tio n a l in s titu tio n s . s e rv ic e s , th e farm b u s in e s s i s a These ra tio n p ro g ram s hav e re c o rd k e e p in g a s s is ta n c e and o th e r p ro g ram s TelFarm e ffo rts and T e lP la n , h av e b een p a rt of p r o d u c tio n and fin a n c ia l m anagem ent th r o u g h la n d -g ra n t a v a ila b le i n s t i t u t i o n s su c h a s M ich ig an S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y . b een m aking e n te rp ris e many h av e d e c isio n b a la n c in g , flo w ; th e s e farm d a t a and f e r t i l i z e r re c o m m e n d a tio n s, cash of i n c lu d e d : te s tin g s y s te m s ; num ber o f Some o f th e s e p ro g ra m s , M ich ig an S ta te U n iv e rs ity ’ s to p r o v id e a v a r i e t y o f p ro g ram s u s in g th e m a in -fra m e c o m p u te r; more r e c e n t l y some o f th e s e co m p u te r p ro g ram s h av e b e e n c o n v e r te d to th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. Many o f p riv a te in s e c to r th e s e p ro g ram s have serv ed d e v e lo p in g co m p u ter s o f tw a r e a s m o d els f o r p ro g ram s and th e s e llin g 4 c o m p u te r s e rv ic e s d e v e lo p e d by to th e fa rm e rs. Farm C r e d i t One exam ple S e r v ic e s is th e A g ri-F a x sy stem on th e T elFarm w h ich was b a s e d f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d k e e p in g sy ste m b a se d a t M ich ig an S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y . The ad v an cem en t o f m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y h a s come a t a tim e when fa rm in g is in tra n s itio n m anagem ent o r i e n t a t i o n and know ledge i f d u r in g th e w ith i n d i c a t i o n s is th a t 1985)* fa rm e rs a re se v e ra l Com puter te c h n o lo g y a p r o d u c ti o n (M cGrann, s k ills next from y e a rs b e in g th is of to T h is s u r v iv e to to tra n s itio n a b u s in e s s re q u ire s e c o n o m ic a lly a n tic ip a te d a p p l ie d tr e n d o rie n ta tio n n a rro w many f a c e t s w ill a c c e le r a te p ro fit of new to d a y and m a r g in s . fa rm in g to d a y a s we r e a c h th e 2 1 s t c e n tu ry . The i s s u e s fa c in g d e c i s i o n s m ust be b a se d E x te n s io n fa rm e rs S e r v ic e w ill t e a c h in g s itu a tio n s . in d iv id u a l on m aking a p r o f i t . f o r lo n g e r ra n g e The M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e s t a f f members and o t h e r a d u l t e d u c a to r s w o rk in g w ith need to o l f a r m e r s to d a y and i m p l i c a t i o n s to w ith u se th e fa rm e r m ic ro c o m p u te r g ro u p s and as a in d e m o n s tr a tio n in d iv id u a l and le a rn in g The farm b u s i n e s s c l im a t e w i l l re m a in v e r y c o m p e tit iv e , and farm b u s in e s s e s w ill need to u se th e m ic ro c o m p u te r fo r f i n a n c i a l m anagem ent and a s an a i d to m aking com plex d e c i s i o n s a b o u t th e farm b u s in e s s (H epp, 1 9 8 6 ). D e f i n i t i o n o f Terms The f o llo w in g d e fin itio n s hav e b een u se d in th is s tu d y fo r th e p u rp o s e o f c l a r i t y and c o n s i s t e n c y : A d u lt: A p e r s o n who h a s a c h ie v e d f u l l p h y s i c a l d e v e lo p m e n t and who e x p e c ts to hav e th e r i g h t to p a r t i c i p a t e a s a r e s p o n s i b l e member o f s o c i e t y (H o u le , 1 9 7 3 ). 5 A d u lt E d u c a tio n ; c a rrie d such Any p u r p o s e f u l e ffo rt to w a rd s s e lf - d e v e lo p m e n t on by a n i n d i v i d u a l w ith o u t l e g a l c o m p u ls io n and w ith o u t e ffo rts becom ing h is /h e r m a jo r fie ld of a c tiv ity (K n o w les, 1960). C om m ercial F a rm e r: The 1982 a g r i c u l t u r e c e n s u s d e f i n i t i o n is th e fa rm e r who h a s a g r o s s incom e o f $ 4 0 ,0 0 0 o r m ore p e r y e a r g e n e r a te d from th e farm b u s i n e s s . C o m p u ter: A m ach in e t h a t a c c e p ts d a t a , p r o c e s s e s i t , and s u p p l i e s th e r e s u l t s o f th e p r o c e s s in g from a g iv e n s e t o f i n s t r u c t i o n s . c o lle c tiv e d e v ic e s . noun d e s c r i b i n g A th e p r o c e s s o r and th e i n p u t and o u tp u t ( C a r d i f f , 19 8 5 , p . 205) C om puter H a rd w a re : A ll com ponents o f a c o m p u ter t h a t can be s e e n and p h y s ic a l to u c h e d . s y s te m . The (C a rd iff, E x te n s io n le g is la tio n th r o u g h re la te d c o m p ris e s a c o m p u ter S e rv ic e : th e An ag en c y c re a te d by fe d e ra l S m ith -L e v e r A ct of 1914* The A ct e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s i n a g r i c u l t u r e , home eco n o m ics and s u b je c ts g o v e rn m e n ts th a t 1985, p . 209) C o o p e r a tiv e a u th o riz e d eq u ip m en t and to be fu n d ed a d m in is te r e d by th r o u g h fe d e ra l, th e s ta te same — h e n c e and th e lo c a l term " c o o p e ra tiv e ." F a rm e r: An a d u l t ow ning o r m anaging a fa rm in g o p e r a t i o n from w hich th e f a m ily r e c e i v e s m ore th a n $ 4 0 ,0 0 0 g r o s s incom e from t h e i r farm b u s in e s s p e r y e a r . L e a r n in g : " S u s t a i n e d , h i g h l y d e l i b e r a t e e f f o r t s to l e a r n k n ow ledge a n d /o r a s k i l l " L e a rn in g (T o u g h , 1 9 7 1 )- P ro je c t: A s e rie s of re la te d e p is o d e s a d d in g up to at 6 l e a s t se v e n h o u r s and i s a m a jo r , h i g h l y d e l i b e r a t e e f f o r t to g a in c e r t a i n know ledge and s k i l l (T ough, 1 9 7 1 ). M ic ro c o m p u te r: c h ip . A co m p u te r whose p r o c e s s o r i s c o n ta in e d on a s i n g l e The s m a l l e s t c o m p u te r. m ic ro c o m p u te rs , ie . p e rso n al T h ere a r e g e n e r a l l y co m p u ter two g ro u p s o f (IBM PC) and home c o m p u te rs (Commodore 64) ( C a r d i f f 1985* P* 2 1 1 ) . M icro co m p u ter S o f tw a r e : The p o r t i o n o f a c o m p u ter t h a t i n s t r u c t s th e c e n t r a l p r o c e s s in g u n i t w hat d a t a to p r o c e s s , how to p r o c e s s i t and w here to p u t i t when p r o c e s s i n g i s c o m p le te . The i n s t r u c t i o n s c o n ta in e d i n a p ro g ram a n d / o r th e p ro g ram i t s e l f ( C a r d i f f , 1985> P* 2 1 4 ). S e lf-D ire c te d L e a r n in g : A m a jo r , h i g h l y d e l i b e r a t e e f f o r t to g a in c e r t a i n know ledge and s k i l l o u t s i d e o f a fo rm a l c la s s ro o m fo rm a l in s tru c to r in s ig h t, s k ill in v o lv e d or w ith u n d e r s ta n d in g p u rp o s e or to to g a in ch an g e new ones' w ith no k n o w led g e, a ttitu d e or e m o tio n a l r e a c t i o n (T o u g h , 1971* P* 1 ) . S tu d y P a rtic ip a n ts : C om m ercial fa rm e rs who w ere in te r v ie w e d fo r t h i s s tu d y . F a c t o r s A f f e c ti n g th e S tu d y T h ere research w ere p ro je c t. th re e b a s ic The fa c to rs firs t fa c to r a ffe c tin g was th e th a t d e s ig n fa rm e rs who of th is own and s u c c e s s f u l l y u se a m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s f o r m ore th a n one p u rp o s e a re a c tiv e le a rn e rs . w ould be a b l e to re c a ll th e v a r i o u s ty p e s o f l e a r n i n g e x p e r ie n c e d and be a b le to d e s c r i b e th o s e e x p e r ie n c e s The seco n d f a c t o r was t h a t to th e r e s e a r c h e r . The t h i r d f a rm e rs fa c to r 7 was t h a t a q u e s tio n n a ire c o m p le te d by eac h s tu d y p a rtic ip a n t and one s t r u c t u r e d i n t e r v i e w w ith e a c h fa r m e r i n th e s tu d y would be a d e q u a te to g a t h e r th e in f o r m a tio n r e l a t e d to th e s e l e c t e d a r e a s o f s tu d y . S i g n i f i c a n c e o f S tu d y T h is s tu d y d o e s i d e n t i f y and d e s c r i b e th e l e a r n i n g e x p e r ie n c e s o f fa r m e r s who b u s in e s s e s . own and s u c c e s s fu lly u se m ic ro c o m p u te rs in t h e i r farm T hese l e a r n i n g e x p e r ie n c e s a r e d iv i d e d i n t o two t y p e s , ie . th o s e to i n c r e a s e k n ow ledge and th o s e to e n h an c e s k i l l l e v e l s i n th e u se of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. p a rtic u la r m a tte rs , c o n trib u tio n to No p r e v io u s c o n s e q u e n tly e x is tin g research th is s tu d y know ledge on has w ill a d u lt in v e s tig a te d th e s e make a s ig n ific a n t le a rn in g a c tiv itie s u n d e r ta k e n by f a r m e r s r e l a t e d to th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. In a d d itio n , th e by s tu d y th e exam ined fa rm e r th e re p re s e n te d e x te n t to h is /h e r w hich le a rn in g a c tiv itie s u se d p re fe rre d way of le a rn in g . The s tu d y d id com pare and c o n t r a s t l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s among p a r t i c i p a n t s r e l a t e d to e f f e c t i v e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. The re s u lts of th is s tu d y w ill h e lp th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e and o t h e r a d u l t e d u c a tio n p r o v i d e r s who a s s i s t f a r m e rs to m ore e ffe c tiv e ly a c tiv itie s fo r a p p lic a tio n s , th is be would be in s tru c tin g th e a p p ro p ria te f a rm e rs in and p re fe rre d m ic ro c o m p u te r and a d o p t l e a r n i n g s t r a t e g i e s a c c o r d i n g l y . h e lp fu l id e n tify in g id e n tify fu tu re to th e M ich ig an e d u c a tio n a l b e n e fic ia l to C o o p e r a tiv e program n o n - f a r m e rs needs as of w e ll, le a rn in g use Not o n ly w i l l E x te n s io n S e r v ic e M ich ig an as and fa r m e r s th e y in but p u rc h a s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s e e k to a c q u i r e th e r e q u ir e d know ledge and s k i l l s to 8 use th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. o rg a n iz a tio n s farm s e llin g o p e ra tio n s M o reo v er, s tu d y w i l l be h e l p f u l a n d / o r e n c o u ra g in g and th o s e p a rtic u la r, c o n c lu sio n s C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n need f o r l e a r n e r s th e d e v e lo p in g draw n S e r v ic e th e use th is s tu d y s ta ff members and w ill s o ftw a re . h e lp o th e rs th e in In M ich ig an u n d e rsc o re th e to a l l o c a t e a s u f f i c i e n t am ount o f tim e to l e a r n th e n e c e s s a r y s k i l l s and i n f o r m a tio n a b o u t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. p ra c tic a l o th e r o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs a g ric u ltu ra l from to in f o r m a tio n is n o n -e x is te n t in th e lite ra tu re T h is ty p e o f p e rta in in g to th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n th e farm b u s i n e s s . L i m it a ti o n s In a s tu d y su ch a s t h i s in te rv ie w e r c o u ld th e l i s t e n i n g c o n s titu te a lim ita tio n and r e p o r t i n g s k i l l s o f th e in te rm s o f r e l i a b i l i t y and v a lid ity . S e v e r a l te c h n iq u e s w ere em ployed to a d d r e s s th e s e p o t e n t i a l p ro b le m s . F irs t, one in te rv ie w e r re lia b ility (th e of th is re se a rc h e r) s tu d y was managed by u s in g o n ly th r o u g h o u t th e c o u rse of th e s tu d y . The r e s e a r c h m a in ta in e d c o n s i s t e n c y s i n c e th e same a r e a s o f i n q u i r y w ere e x p lo re d w ith ea c h p a r t i c i p a n t . th e re se a rc h e r re s ta tin g V a l i d i t y o f th e s tu d y was in c r e a s e d by each p a r t i c i p a n t 's a n sw e rs and m aking c o r r e c t i o n s a s a p p r o p r i a t e ( a form o f r e f l e c t i v e l i s t e n i n g ) . The r e s e a r c h e r c o n d u c te d two p i l o t i n t e r v i e w s w ith f a r m e r s who w ere n o t a p a r t o f th e r e s e a r c h s a m p le , b u t who m et th e same q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a s th e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n th e s t u d y . o p p o rtu n ity to sh a rp e n s k ills in T h is p r o v id e d th e r e s e a r c h e r w ith an a s k in g q u e s tio n s , a s k in g a d d i t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n w o rd in g of th e q u e s tio n s u sed d u r in g th e re c o rd in g a n s w e rs , ( p r o b e s ) and r e f i n i n g th e in te rv ie w . The p ilo t 9 in te rv ie w s e n a b le d th e re se a rc h e r to a s c e rta in w h e th e r q u e s ti o n s u sed w ould e l i c i t th e n eed ed in f o r m a tio n and p r o v id e th e d e p th o f i n f o r m a tio n r e q u i r e d f o r c o n d u c tin g th e s tu d y . V a lid ity fa c to r. of p a rtic ip a n t F arm ers w ere asked p e rc e p tio n s ab o u t t h e i r been th e ir a ffe c te d by le a rn in g p a rtic ip a n ts ' a c tiv itie s o f how a c c u r a t e l y F in a lly , th e tr ie d to was re p o rt a n o th e r th e ir le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s . q u e s tio n have re sp o n se to w illin g n e s s th e be h e l p f u l th o u g h t s , lim itin g id e a s and These r e p o r t s c o u ld have and a b i l i t y re se a rc h e r. T here to ta lk was about a ls o th e th e y c o u ld r e c a l l p a s t l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s . s tu d y ack n o w led g ed th e p o s s i b i l i t y to p o s s ib le and i n t h a t th e f a r m e r s m ig h t so d o in g p r o v id e r e s p o n s e s w hich th e y p e r c e iv e to be d e s i r a b l e o r s o u g h t by th e r e s e a r c h e r . The a ls o s m a ll sam ple c o n s titu te d r e s id in g in a two g e n e ra liz a tio n s s iz e and g e o g ra p h ic d is trib u tio n lim ita tio n . P a rtic ip a n ts c o u n tie s . T hese about a d u lt le a rn in g . w ere fa c to rs of th e M ich ig an sam ple f a r m e rs p ro h ib ite d b ro a d H owever, t h i s m ethod o f i n q u i r y a llo w e d f o r th e in d e p th s tu d y o f a w e ll - d e f in e d g ro u p o f fa r m e r s who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs and u s e them s u c c e s s f u l l y in th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s fo r more th a n one p u r p o s e . M ethodology T h is d e s c r i p t i v e r e s e a r c h s tu d y was b a s e d on d a t a c o l l e c t e d th ro u g h a q u e s tio n n a ire T h is m ethod D e s c rip tiv e and a llo w e d a s tru c tu re d fo r a h ig h in te rv ie w d e g re e w ith of 12 s e l e c t e d v a lid ity of fa rm e rs. th e d a ta . r e s e a r c h a t t e m p t s to c h a r a c t e r i z e a sam p le o f a p o p u la tio n (B org & G a ll 1983 P» 30) • In t h i s c a s e th e p o p u la tio n was a g ro u p o f 10 fa r m e r s who s u c c e s s f u l l y In a d d i t i o n , u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs Borg and G a ll i n d i c a t e in th e ir th a t d e s c rip tiv e farm b u s i n e s s e s . r e s e a r c h ex am in es "w hat i s " i n th e sam p le o f th e p o p u l a t i o n b e in g s t u d i e d . In t h i s s tu d y th e f o llo w in g a s s u m p tio n s w ere t e s t e d o f a q u e s t i o n n a i r e and a s t r u c t u r e d in te rv ie w . th ro u g h th e u s e F o r th e p u rp o s e o f t h i s s tu d y i t i s assum ed t h a t t h e s e f a r m e r s : - p e r c e iv e o p e ra tio n th e m s e lv e s a d o p tin g v e ry e a r l y a fte r new te c h n o l o g i e s in th e ir farm th e i n t r o d u c t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y of new t e c h n o l o g i e s ; - h av e d e v o te d tim e to le a rn in g about th e u s e and a p p l i c a t i o n of m ic ro c o m p u te rs to t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s ; - s o u g h t o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s from a v a r i e t y o f s o u r c e s ; - are in v o lv e d in a num ber o f le a rn in g a c tiv itie s each y e a r and s e e k o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s r e l a t e d to m ic ro c o m p u te rs ; - who le a rn from a v a rie ty of e d u c a tio n a l th is re se a rc h o p p o rtu n itie s in th e com m unity; The c o n c lu s io n s c o lle c te d s ta tis tic s . and draw n sum m arized from u s in g a D e s c rip tiv e s t a t i s t i c s many o f th e a r e a s o f i n q u i r y . v a rie ty of are based a p p ro p ria te on th e d a ta d e s c rip tiv e w ere u se d to sum m arize f i n d i n g s i n Q u e s tio n s to b e an sw ered i n t h i s r e s e a r c h s tu d y a r e : - What l e a r n i n g know ledge and a c tiv itie s h av e f a r m e r s en g ag ed i n s k ills use t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s ? to th e m ic ro c o m p u te r to a c q u i r e th e s u c c e s s fu lly in 11 - What are th e p re fe rre d p a r tic ip a n ts re la te d le a rn in g a c tiv itie s of th e re se a rc h to th e m ic ro c o m p u te r? - What a r e t h e f u t u r e l e a r n i n g n e e d s o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s ? O r g a n iz a tio n o f th e D i s s e r t a t i o n C h a p te r C h a p te r I d e v e lo p s I d e s c rib e s th e a fram e re se a rc h of re fe re n c e p ro b le m , fo r lis ts th e e n tire a s s u m p tio n s s tu d y . a b o u t th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s , d e f i n e s th e te rm s u sed and o u t l i n e s s i g n i f i c a n c e and l i m i t a t i o n s o f th e s tu d y and th e q u e s ti o n s t h a t th e s tu d y was t o a n s w e r. The re v ie w o f l i t e r a t u r e a p p r o p r i a t e f o r t h i s s tu d y e s t a b l i s h e s th e th e o re tic a l and c o n c e p tu a l f o u n d a tio n s and i s T h is c h a p t e r in c l u d e s th e s e c t i o n s : d is c u s s e d in C h a p te r I I . A d u lt E d u c a tio n , M ic ro c o m p u te rs i n F arm ing and E x te n s io n , and A d u lt E d u c a tio n and M ic ro c o m p u te rs . The s tu d y I n f o r m a tio n i s d e s ig n and p ro c e d u re s a re o u tlin e d in C h a p te r III. p r e s e n te d a b o u t th e p o p u l a t i o n , s a m p le , i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n , m easurem en t and d a t a a n l a y s i s . C h a p te r IV c o n t a i n s a r e p o r t o f th e a n a l y s i s o f th e d a t a w ith th e d e s c r i p t i o n s o f th e f i n d i n g s p e r t a i n i n g to th e r e s e a r c h q u e s t i o n s . C h a p te r V i s a summary o f th e s tu d y , c o n c l u s i o n s , i m p l i c a t i o n s and reco m m en d atio n s f o r f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h . CHAPTER II R eview o f L i t e r a t u r e In tro d u c tio n The p u rp o s e o f t h i s s tu d y was to e x p lo r e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r r e l a t e d l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s c a r r i e d o u t by a s e l e c t e d num ber (1 2 ) o f f a r m e r s who own and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n p rim a ry fo c u s a c tiv itie s th e s tu d y p u rsu e d by th e d e v e lo p m e n t b u s in e s s e s . le a rn in g fo r and an fa r m e r s e ffe c tiv e A seco n d was use p u rp o s e th a t p a r tic ip a n ts in of t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . in v e s tig a tio n th e ir th e was to quest of hav e i d e n t i f i e d le a rn in g f o r k n o w led g e, m ic ro c o m p u te r d e s c rib e th e in The s k ill th e ir th e p r e f e r r e d farm ty p e s of i n c o n n e c tio n w ith l e a r n i n g c o m p u ter p r o f i c i e n c y . The firs t a lite ra tu re g e n e ra l re v ie w re v ie w is of d iv id e d a d u lt m ic ro c o m p u te rs u sed in S e r v i c e 's m ic ro c o m p u te rs e d u c a tio n . e d u c a tio n , use A of th ird fa rm in g s e c tio n m ic ro c o m p u te r u se in to th re e e d u c a tio n . and A and s e c tio n th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e in th e ir su m m arizes by p a rts fa rm e rs a p p lic a tio n and and b rin g s in c l u d e s d e s c rib e s E x te n s io n to fa rm e r to g e th e r E x te n s io n , and a d u lt th e im p o rta n c e o f t h i s s tu d y f o r th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e and o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t s e e k to p r o v id e m ic ro c o m p u te r e d u c a tio n to fa rm e rs. The l i t e r a t u r e re v ie w o f r e l a t i v e l y c u r r e n t b o o k s , p e r i o d i c a l s and p a p e rs d e v e lo p e d by little b een done work h a s u n i v e r s i t y and E x te n s io n p e o p le i n d i c a t e s t h a t v e ry in th is S e a rc h no r e s e a r c h was i d e n t i f i e d a re a of in q u iry . Through an ERIC t h a t a s s e s s e d f a r m e r s ' p r e f e r r e d ways 12 13 of le a rn in g know ledge to and u se th e s k ills m ic ro c o m p u te r in c o m p u ter e ffe c tiv e ly u sa g e and and in c re a s e a p p lic a tio n to th e ir th e farm b u s in e s s . A d u lt E d u c a tio n A d u lt e d u c a tio n d is c o v e rie s num ber of is e m erg in g i n s tu d ie s a th e th a t re la tiv e ly past p r o v id e a d d i t i o n a l work c a n be b u i l t , th e le a rn e rs . to d a y form f o llo w in g B a s ic fo r p a ra g ra p h s. th irty an d is c ip lin e w ith many H owever, th e re are a f o u n d a tio n upon w hich y e a rs. e x c e lle n t and r e s e a r c h expanded in v o l v in g a d u l t s a s p rin c ip le s th e b a s i s new th is of a d u lt e d u c a tio n th a t s tu d y and a r e i d e n t i f i e d Two d e f i n i t i o n s are b a s ic to are a c c e p te d b rie fly th is in th e d is c u s s io n . H oule (1 9 7 3 ) d e f i n e s an a d u l t a s a p e r s o n who h a s a c h ie v e d f u l l p h y s i c a l d e v e lo p m e n t and who re s p o n s ib le member e x p e c ts of to s o c ie ty . hav e th e rig h t Malcom Knowles to p a rtic ip a te ( i9 6 0 ) as d e fin e s a a d u lt e d u c a tio n a s an y p u r p o s e f u l e f f o r t to w ard s e lf - d e v e lo p m e n t c a r r i e d on by an i n d i v i d u a l w ith o u t d i r e c t l e g a l c o m p u lsio n and w ith o u t su c h e f f o r t s becom ing h i s / h e r m a jo r f i e l d o f a c t i v i t y . S e v e r a l a d u l t e d u c a to r s who have made s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s to th e th e o r y An e a r l y prom oted o f a d u lt e d u c a tio n a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y p ro p o n e n t th e of concept s e lf-d ire c te d of th e le a rn in g le a rn in g c o n tra c t d e v e lo p e d th e c o n c e p t o f s e l f - d i r e c t e d l e a r n i n g . a d u lts a re p ro a c tiv e le a rn e rs germ ane to th is s tu d y . was Malcom Knowles and in th e e a rly who 6 0 's Knowles p ro p o se d t h a t and u n d e r ta k e num erous l e a r n i n g p r o j e c t s each y e a r. E x te n s iv e d ire c te d work done by A lan Tough (1 9 7 1 ) and a s s o c i a t e s le a rn in g a c tiv itie s of th e g en era l a d u lt on s e l f ­ p o p u la tio n has 14 p a r t i c u l a r r e le v a n c e f o r t h i s d a ta about s e lf - d ir e c te d J o h n s to n and R iv e r ia s tu d y s i n c e t h i s work p r o v id e s b en ch m ark le a rn in g p r o je c ts . (1 9 6 5 ) h av e c o n trib u te d a d u lt s e lf - d ir e c te d le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s . th e s e s tu d ie s spent a c o n s id e ra b le d ir e c te d le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s . fo r a man o r woman to O th e r r e s e a r c h e r s a d d itio n a l su c h a s in s ig h ts in to A d u lts p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n a l l o f am ount o f tim e ea c h y e a r i n s e lf­ Tough (1 9 7 1 ) found t h a t i t i s n o t u n u s u a l d e v o te 700 h o u r s a year to le a rn in g p ro je c ts . Some may spend fe w e r th a n 100 h o u rs w h ile o t h e r s spend a s many a s 2 ,0 0 0 h o u rs. An i n d i v i d u a l 's in te n tio n to le a rn or ch an g e is th e p rim a ry m o t iv a t io n f o r u n d e r ta k in g l e a r n i n g p r o j e c t s . Tough (1 9 7 1 ) i n d i c a t e s p la n n e d by th e le a rn e rs t h a t a b o u t 70% o f a l l l e a r n i n g p r o j e c t s a r e th e m s e lv e s . He a l s o found th a t th e le a rn e r s e e k s h e l p and in f o r m a tio n from a v a r i e t y o f p e o p l e , e x p e r t s and p r i n t e d r e s o u r c e s w h ile c o n d u c tin g a l e a r n i n g p r o j e c t . p ro je c ts may r e l y on a g ro u p , p riv a te le s s o n s , Some ty p e s o f l e a r n i n g in s tru c to rs a n d /o r a v a r ie ty o f o th e r s o u rc e s . Gibb (1 9 6 0 ) th e o rie s . M ost docum ented i n f o r m a tio n s t u d i e s done by p s y c h o l o g i s t s . p r o c e s s and s e e s fie ld s of s ig n ific a n t p s y c h o th e r a p y , th e on e x is te n c e human le a rn in g of num erous has b een le a r n in g draw n from Gibb (1 9 6 0 ) v ie w s l e a r n i n g a s a s o c i a l h e lp s o c ia l fo r a d u lt e d u c a to r s a n th r o p o lo g y , c u l t u r a l and o r g a n i z a t i o n a l s o c io l o g y . g ro u p com ing from th e p s y c h o lo g y and T hese d i s c i p l i n e s and o t h e r s a r e c o n c e rn e d a b o u t th e p ro b le m s o f human l e a r n i n g and c h a n g e . T here a r e s e v e r a l s c h o o ls o f th o u g h t r e g a r d in g human l e a r n i n g . is One a fo c u s on th e c h a n g e s w ith i n th e o rg a n ism a s s o c i a t e d w ith o b s e rv e d b e h a v io ra l changes d u r in g l e a r n i n g . O th e rs c e n t e r t h e i r i n t e r e s t upon 15 p h e n o m e n o lo g ic a l and re se a rc h e rs changes fo c u s on t h e m o tiv a tio n a l v a r ia tio n s fo c u s e d on th e w h ich o c c u r d u r in g in is le a rn e r. S till of re p e titio n th e " l e a r n by d o in g t h e o r y " . th a t le a rn in g Some t h e o r i s t s e n v iro n m e n ta l c o n d i t i o n s a s s o c i a t e d th e c o n se q u e n c e le a rn in g . o th e r r e s e a rc h e rs and p r a c t i c e as w ith have e v id e n c e d by P ro p o n e n ts o f t h i s p o i n t o f v ie w s u g g e s t an a d ju s tm e n t o r m a la d ju s tm e n t o f th e p e rso n to th e o r g a n i z a t i o n a l e n v iro n m e n t. I t i s p o s s i b l e to d e r i v e a s e t o f b a s ic p r i n c i p l e s c o n c e r n in g a d u l t l e a r n i n g t h a t h av e a p p l i c a t i o n to many p h a s e s o f a d u l t e d u c a tio n . T hese p r i n c i p l e s sum m arized by Gibb (1 9 6 0 ) a r e : 1. The p ro b lem m u st be a p ro b lem f o r th e l e a r n e r n o t a p ro b lem f o r th e te a c h e r. When th e l e a r n e r r e c o g n iz e s a p ro b lem h e / s h e i s m o tiv a te d to s e e k a s o l u t i o n . 2. " L e a rn in g m u st be e x p e r i e n c e - c e n t e r e d . " The l e a r n e r m ust be a b le to i d e n t i f y and d e v e lo p d a t a a b o u t th e p ro b le m . 3. " E x p e r ie n c e m u st be m e a n in g fu l to th e to le a r n e r ." l e a r n e r m u st i n t e r a c t in an e f f o r t c re a te e n v iro n m e n t and s h a r e in th e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y The t e a c h e r and a p o s itiv e to c r e a t e le a rn in g th e c l im a t e f o r th e l e a r n e r to i d e n t i f y d a t a and s e e m e a n in g s . 4. "The l e a r n e r m u st be f r e e to lo o k a t th e e x p e r i e n c e . " The l e a r n e r m u st be a d j u s t e d e m o tio n a l ly to th e l e a r n i n g s i t u a t i o n . 5. "The g o a l m u st be s e t and s e a r c h o r g a n iz e d by th e l e a r n e r . " Some r e s e a r c h h a s shown t h a t a c t i v e l e a r n e r s a r e more e f f e c t i v e l e a r n e r s th a n p a s s iv e m ista k e s , p a rtic ip a te le a rn e rs . e x p lo r e The a lte rn a tiv e a c tiv e ly in le a rn e r m ust s o lu tio n s d e c isio n s to about be a llo w e d h is /h e r to p ro b lem h is /h e r make and le a rn in g 16 e n v iro n m e n t. 6. "The le a rn e r T h ere is m ust a h av e s tro n g fe e d b a c k in d ic a tio n about p ro g re ss th a t k no w led g e o f s u c c e s s o r f a i l u r e th e to w a rd s le a rn e rs n eed g o a ls ." to h av e and th e d e g re e to w hich th e y have re a c h e d t h e i r g o a l s . S in c e a d u l t a n tic ip a te d th a t d is c ip lin e s a d ju st is th e ir le a rn e rs . e d u c a tio n as is an e v o lv in g and dynam ic e n d e a v o r , a d d itio n a l re se a rc h in th e v a rio u s it is re la te d c o m p le te d and r e p o r t e d a d u l t e d u c a to r s w i l l c o n tin u e to p ra c tic e s to b e tte r m eet th e c h a n g in g needs of a d u lt Some o f th e em e rg in g te c h n o l o g i e s t h a t a r e u s e d i n e d u c a tio n to d a y s u c h a s c o m p u te r - a id e d i n s t r u c t i o n , i n t e r a c t i v e v id e o , VCRs, f i b e r o p tic s , e le c tro n ic m a il and b u l l e t i n b o ard s w i l l hav e m a jo r im p a c t on th e l e a r n i n g e n v iro n m e n t and l e a r n i n g d e l i v e r y s y ste m p r o v id e d b y a d u l t e d u c a to r s (L o n g , 1983)* M ic ro c o m p u te rs i n fa rm in g and E x te n s io n The ad v an cem en t o f m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y h a s come a t a tim e when fa rm in g b u s in e s s is in a m a jo r o rie n ta tio n tra n s itio n (M cG rann, from a 1985)* p r o d u c tio n In o rd er to o rie n ta tio n s u r v iv e to to d a y a and d u r in g t h e n e x t s e v e r a l y e a r s o f v e r y t i g h t p r o f i t m a rg in s f a r m e r s m u st a c q u ire new s k i l l s a p p l ie d to fu tu re . and many f a c e t s In d ic a tio n s a re k n o w le d g e . Com puter te c h n o lo g y w hich of to d a y fa rm in g th a t in c r e a s e d is a p ro m is in g co m p u ter a d o p tio n w i l l c o n t in u e r a p i d l y a s we r e a c h th e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y . be u sed and d a ta on to m o rro w 's fa rm s a s lo g g i n g , i n f o r m a tio n farm d e c i s i o n re trie v a l to o l is b e in g fo r th e by f a r m e rs M ic ro c o m p u te rs w i l l a i d e s and f o r m o n ito r in g s y s te m s , ro b o tic s , e le c tro n ic 17 c o n t r o l o f m a c h in e s and i r r i g a t i o n s y s te m s , e d u c a tio n and a c c e s s i n g d a t a b a n k s . th e re are e le m e n ta r y c o m m u n ic a tio n s, Even on t o d a y 's a p p lic a tio n s of th e c o n t in u in g fa rm s i n M ich ig an p re v io u s ly m e n tio n ed te c h n o lo g y . W hile th e l i t e r a t u r e on m ic ro c o m p u te rs i s e x t e n s i v e and c o n f e r e n c e s r e l a t e d to m ic ro c o m p u te rs and t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n to a g r i c u l t u r e n u m ero u s, little r e f e r e n c e h a s b een made to l e a r n i n g how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r o r how to d e c re a se th e am ount o f tim e r e q u ir e d to d e v e lo p th e s k ills n e e d e d to e f f i c i e n t l y and e f f e c t i v e l y u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n th e farm b u s in e s s . R e fe re n c e s L egacy and o t h e r s , F a m in g " le a r n in g and su c h a s M icro co m p u tin g In A g r i c u l t u r e (1 9 8 4 ) by Farm C om puter G uide (1 9 8 4 ) p u b lis h e d by " S u c c e s s f u l th e Farm C om puter (1 9 8 4 ) by S i s t l e r make no r e f e r e n c e o p p o rtu n itie s , th e b est m ethod fo r le a rn in g to m ic ro c o m p u te r u s a g e , o r th e tim e com m itm ent r e q u i r e d to d e v e lo p co m p eten cy i n th e u se of th e co m p u ter a p p lic a tio n s re la te d to farm b u s in e s s . W hile th e p r e v i o u s l y m e n tio n e d r e f e r e n c e s p lu s o t h e r s f o r farm o p e r a t i o n s d i s c u s s a t g r e a t l e n g t h s th e a p p l i c a t i o n o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and w hat i t c a n do fo r th e farm b u s i n e s s , th e y do n o t e x p lo r e th e le a rn in g n e c e ss a ry to f u l l y i n c o r p o r a t e t h i s te c h n o lo g y i n t o th e farm b u s i n e s s . One e x c e p tio n to th e p r e v io u s ly m e n tio n e d v o id was lo c a te d . O ppenheim ner I n d u s t r i e s o f D a n v i l l e , I l l i n o i s p u b lis h e d a book e n t i t l e d , A g r i c u l t u r e C om puter G uide and D ir e c t o r y b rie f o u tlin e of le a rn in g o p tio n s . (19 8 4 )* T a b le p r e s e n te d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n on l e a r n i n g . 1 T h is book p r o v id e s a d e ta ils th e m a te ria l 18 T a b le 1 : Summary o f E d u c a tio n a l C h o ic e s A v a ila b le to M icro co m p u ter U se rs Type o f I n s t r u c t i o n Exam ples Comments F o rm al C om puter C o u rses P r i v a t e S c h o o ls C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e U n iv e rs itie s P ro v id e s t r o n g b a c k g ro u n d . Can be e x p e n s iv e i n tim e and m oney. In f o r m a l C om puter E d u c a tio n F r ie n d s More d i r e c t l e a r n i n g a p p ro a c h . Time and money re q u ire d . U se r G roups S e m in a rs , F a i r s D o - I t- Y o u r s e l f L e a r n e r P rogram s M anuals M agazines Books H an d s-o n , s e l f - p a c e d l e a r n i n g , may be s u p e rfic ia l W hile a n o th e r a u t h o r , E r ic k s o n ( 1 9 8 5 ) , r e c o g n iz e d th e need f o r tim e to le a rn how to u se th e m ic ro c o m p u te r, he g av e no i n d i c a t i o n of th e am ount o f tim e o r b e s t m e th o d s n eed ed to l e a r n . T h ere hav e b een a num ber o f s u r v e y s c o m p le te d o v e r th e p a s t f o u r y ears w hich h av e sum m arized m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y . fa rm e rs' 1982 w ith a ttitu d e a ttitu d e s in s tu d y was of fa rm e rs S tu d ie s by Y arabough e t a l ch a n g e s o v e r a p e r io d f o llo w - u p lo n g itu d in a l th e 1983 and to exam ine 1984* about th e (1 9 8 4 ) fo c u s e d on o f s e v e r a l y e a r s b e g in n in g The fa rm e rs' p rim a ry a ttitu d e s p u rp o s e of and ra te th e in th is of 19 a d o p t a t i o n o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs by f a r m e r s . I n M ich ig an in c re a s in g th e s in c e num ber o f f a r m e r s ow ning m ic ro c o m p u te rs h a s b een th e e a rly 1 9 8 0 s. I n f o r m a tio n g a th e r e d from M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e s ' a n n u a l r e p o r t i l l u s t r a t e s tre n d . O b se rv e rs suggest a lik e ly re la tio n s h ip b etw ee n th e th e th is d r o p p in g p r i c e s f o r b o th a g r i c u l t u r a l c o m m o d itie s , and m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o f tw a r e and on i n c r e a s e i n f a r m e r s ow ning m ic ro c o m p u te rs . M ich ig an fa rm e rs C o o p e r a tiv e owned E x te n s io n S e r v ic e 1 ,0 2 0 m ic r o c o m p u te r s , s ta ff 1985 - S c h e r e r and Y arbough (1 9 8 4 ) r e p o r t e d members 1 ,4 0 5 ; and In 1984 th e re p o rte d 1 ,5 1 2 i n th a t 1986. th e a d o p tio n o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n Iowa h a s te n d e d to d o u b le e a c h y e a r s t a r t i n g i n 1982 w ith 1 .9 $ h a v in g an on farm c o m p u te r. I n 1985 4*1$ r e p o r te d ow ning a c o m p u te r, and i n 1984 7 .2 $ r e p o r t e d ow ning o r l e a s i n g a m ic ro c o m p u te r. In re c e n t y e a rs , fa rm in g S ta te and m ic ro c o m p u te r a p p l i c a t i o n a g ric u ltu re U n i v e r s i t y 's has C o lle g e been of a m a jo r A g ric u ltu re to v a rio u s a s p e c ts com m itm ent an d by N a tu r a l th e of M ich igan R e so u rc e s, th e A g r i c u l t u r e E x p e rim e n t S t a t i o n and th e C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e . A w ide ra n g e o f p i l o t c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e f o r m ic ro c o m p u te rs and m a in -fra m e c o m p u te rs packages d e v e lo p e d , S e r v ic e has b een d e v e lo p e d h av e been p ilo t fa c u lty . e ffo rts . Most However te n of th e s e h a v in g s o f tw a r e b een fu lly re v ie w e d and m a rk e te d by The M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n w ith re la tiv e ly by user s im p le members u s in g th e m a n u als and te m p la t e s L o tu s h av e d o c u m e n ta tio n fo r b een d e v e lo p e d fa rm e r use. by f a c u l t y 1 -2 -3 s p re a d s h e e t a s a b a s is and Some s ta ff f o r th e p ro g ram . M ost o f th e s e a p p l i c a t i o n s d e a l w ith r e c o r d - k e e p in g and d e c i s i o n m aking a id s . In a d d i t i o n , th e re h a s b een e x t e n s i v e farm s o f tw a r e d e v elo p m en t 20 "by th e p r i v a t e s e c to r. T h ere a r e co m p u te r a p p l i c a t i o n s o f m o n i to r in g , s e n s o r s and d e c i s i o n m aking a i d s a v a i l a b l e to fa r m e r s to d a y from a w ide ra n g e of A m erican a p p lic a tio n s are and b e in g fo re ig n c o m p a n ie s . These m ic ro c o m p u te r p u rc h a s e d and h av e g r e a t e r a p p l i c a t i o n l a r g e r m ore s o p h i s t i c a t e d fo r th e farm o p e r a t i o n s a t t h i s tim e a s docum ented by Y arbough and S c h e r e r (1 9 8 4 )* The a f f o r d a b i l i t y c o n c u rre n tly w ith m a jo r p e r c e n t o f M ic h ig a n 's d u r in g th e past fin a n c ia l c ris is p r o d u c ti o n to a and a v a i l a b i l i t y s h ifts in o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs h a s h ap p en ed a g ric u ltu re f a r m e r s h av e e x p e r ie n c e d th re e y e a rs has ra p id ly fo c u s on (H epp 1985 moved farm and sev ere and Twenty fin a n c ia l s tr e s s 1 9 8 6 ). fa rm e rs b u s in e s s f a r m in g . from T h is an s e rio u s em p h a sis m anagem ent. F a rm e rs on have r e q u e s te d i n d i v i d u a l a s s i s t a n c e from C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s t a f f members to a s s i s t i n d e te r m in in g b e e n and i s them i n th e f i n a n c i a l h e a l t h o f th e d e v e lo p in g fin a n c ia l and In c re a se d em p h a sis F in p a c k , cash s tra te g ic has b u s in e s s o b je c tiv e s , c o s ts . (Hepp 1 9 8 6 ). th e m ic ro c o m p u te r to b u s in e s s e s , fa rm . F in a n c ia l s t r e s s has b e in g e x p e r ie n c e d m o st s i g n i f i c a n t l y on l a r g e r fa rm s w hich a r e h i g h l y le v e r a g e d h av e u se d th e a n a l y s i s o f t h e i r farm b u s in e s s and h e lp fa rm e rs in f lo w s , and g iv e n c re a tin g e x a m in in g to h e l p in g a n a l y z in g lo n g and "w h at fa rm e rs th e ir sh o rt if" farm ra n g e q u e s tio n s . exam ine th e ir r e s o u r c e n e e d s , m a rk e tin g p r a c t i c e s and p r o d u c tio n T hrough a v a r i e t y M ic r o t e l a s s is t p la n s b een E x te n s io n s t a f f members i n M ich ig an and M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e o f m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e o th e r d e c isio n m aking a v a ila b le a s s is ta n c e su c h a s to o ls , E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s t a f f members h av e b een a b l e d e m o n s tr a te th e u s e f u l n e s s o f m ic ro c o m p u te r a p p l i c a t i o n s . th e to T h is e x p o s u re 21 has h e lp e d some fa rm e rs to in c re a s e m anagem ent and d e c isio n m aking c a p a b i l i t y on t h e fa rm . Hepp (1 9 8 6 ) in th e in d ic a te s d e liv e ry t h a t " m ic ro c o m p u te rs a r e t o o l s t h a t c a n a id o f in d iv id u a l e d u c a tio n in f a r n m anagem ent p r o g r a m s ." T h u s, th e C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e n e e d s i n f o r m a tio n on how f a rm e rs who a r e u s in g m ic ro c o m p u te rs s u c c e s s f u l l y i n t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n p r e f e r to l e a r n m ore a b o u t m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e and i t s a p p lic a tio n s . C u r r e n tl y , th e m ost e x t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h fou n d was c o m p le te d by S c h e r e r and Y arabough in 1982, about 1983 an d 19 8 4 . m ic ro c o m p u te rs , id e n tific a tio n of T hese s t u d i e s hav e fo c u s e d on fa rm e r a t t i t u d e s a d o p tio n who w ere ra te s th e of e a rly m ic ro c o m p u te rs a d o p te rs of and an m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y . A re c e n t s tu d y u s in g th e M e y e r-B rig g s ty p e in d ic a to r has shown l i m i t a t i o n s i n u s in g c o m p u t e r - a i d e d - i n s t r u c t i o n w ith a d u l t s ( G u e u l e t t e , 1 9 8 2 ). T h is s tu d y , a id e d -in s tru c tio n c o n c e n tra te , s in g le adapt ta s k to and im p a c ts s y ste m b o th may f a v o r l e a r n e r s u n til its * c o m p le tio n . to fo r th e th e th a t n ece ssary M ich ig an may be u se d p e rio d s p ro g ra m s more a b ility d e ta ils b ecau se to of C o o p e r a tiv e e d u c a tio n a l th e th a t c o m p u te rto q u ie tly and s t a y w ith a O th e r l e a r n e r s may n o t be a b l e to c o m p le te t a s k s , p ay a t t e n t i o n fo r s u g g e s ts who h av e c o m p u te r-a id e d -in s tru c tio n c o n c e n tra te im p lic a tio n s 3500 l e a r n e r s , m em orize f a c t s , pay a t t e n t i o n th e s u c c e s s fu lly in v o l v i n g o f n o t b e in g d e ta il, tim e . E x te n s io n and th e e x te n s iv e ly in a b le to sum m arize f a c t s T h is s tu d y S e rv ic e , e d u c a tio n a l fu tu re s in c e has it d e liv e ry i n f o r m a tio n tra n s fe r. Hepp makes th e s e comments about th e m ic ro c o m p u te r in E x te n s io n 22 e d u c a tio n , "If E x te n s io n in s tru c tio n , th e re e d u c a tio n a l p ro cess. se rv e d e s ire are p ro g ram s lim ita tio n s a tte m p t in a p p ly in g p r o v id e th e Many E x te n s io n e d u c a to r s and c o n s id e ra b le in te rp e rs o n a l p r o c e s s a s w e ll a s e m p h a sis on how to s o lu tio n . to G r e a te r u n d e r s ta n d i n g s e d u c a tio n a l te c h n o lo g y th e in te ra c tio n to c lie n te le in th e th e th e y le a rn in g s o lv e p ro b le m s r a t h e r th a n t h e i r o f s u b j e c t m a t e r i a l and e m p h asis on b e h a v i o r a l ch an g e s r e q u i r e a n i n t e r a c t i o n t h a t may n o t be p o s s i b l e w ith co m p u te r p ro g ra m s. The m ic ro c o m p u te r i s m ore a d a p t a b le in a te a c h in g s i t u a t i o n i f th e f i n a l r e s u l t i s th e s o l u t i o n to a p ro b le m ." Hepp a l s o o b s e r v e s t h a t l a r g e farm o p e r a t o r s a r e more i n t e r e s t e d i n g a i n in g g r e a t e r u n d e r s ta n d i n g o f e d u c a t i o n a l m a t e r i a l th a n j u s t p ro b lem s o lv in g w h ile s m a lle r farm o p e ra to rs s o l u t i o n s to p ro b le m s th a n l e a r n i n g . a re more in te re s te d in f in d in g These o b s e r v a t i o n s c e r t a i n l y have im p o r ta n t programming i m p l i c a t i o n s t o th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s in c e th e y id e n tify fa rm e rs who w ill lik e ly use th e m ic ro c o m p u te r a n d / o r w h ich te a c h in g m eth o d s w i l l be m ost s u c c e s s f u l w ith p a r t i c u l a r g ro u p s o f f a r m e r s . A d u lt E d u c a tio n and M ic ro c o m p u te rs F o rm al in s tru c tio n in d ic a te s and e d u c a tio n a l (C A l) th e re p ra c tic e , th e M ich ig an p ro b le m te c h n o lo g ie s are se v e ra l tu to ria l p ro b le m s o l v i n g . are a d o p tin g fo r in s tru c tio n a l ty p e s o f CAI t h a t s im u la tio n , c o m p u te r - a s s is te d ta s k s . a s s is t co m p u ter-m an ag ed B itte r (1 9 8 4 ) te a c h e rs : d rill in s tru c tio n , and The g r e a t e s t u s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e p ro g ram s i n C o o p e r a tiv e s o lv in g . o rg a n iz a tio n s E x te n s io n C o n s e q u e n tly , S e r v ic e th e has M ich ig an b een in th e C o o p e ra tiv e a re a of E x te n s io n 23 S e r v ic e w ill p r o b a b ly c o n tin u e to make g re a te s t use of th e p roblem s o l v i n g ty p e o f s o f t w a r e , p u r c h a s in g some s o f tw a r e and d e v e lo p in g o t h e r s o f tw a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e c o m m e r c ia lly . B itte r (1 9 8 4 ) in d ic a te s th a t c o m p u te rs a r e h e r e to s t a y w ith th e num ber i n c r e a s i n g and t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n s e v e r b r o a d e n in g i n t o e v e ry p a r t of our s o c ie ty . It is o n ly lo g ic a l th a t te c h n o lo g y and ta k e f u l l a d v a n ta g e o f i t s p e o p le accept b e n e fits . w i l l become more im p o r ta n t a s more p e o p le f i n d th e co m p u ter C om puter l i t e r a c y th e m s e lv e s w o rk in g w ith c o m p u te rs i n some c a p a c i t y i n t h e i r w o rk . G e rv e r a d u lt (1 9 8 4 ) e d u c a tio n has c h a ra c te ris tic s c o m p u te rs . sp e e d s ta te s of a th e th a t th e num ber p o te n tia l of a d u lt fo r th e m ic ro c o m p u te r in p o s s ib ilitie s . le a rn e r mesh In fa c t, some w e ll w ith e x c e e d in g ly F o r ex a m p le , i n d i v i d u a l d i f f e r e n c e s i n l e a r n i n g s t y l e s and a r e acco m o d ated w e ll by th e c o m p u ter a s t h i s te a c h in g t o o l i s a p a t i e n t and m u l t i f a c e t e d t u t o r . The c o m p u ter a llo w s a d u l t s p r iv a c y when m aking a d u lts m is ta k e s , le a r n in g . such as e n a b le s The c o m p u te r o f f e r s co m p u ter s itu a tio n s to o l and can s im u la tio n s new and w hich t h a t w ould be d i f f i c u l t be u se d to assess to p ro g re ss th e ir im a g in a t iv e a llo w to re a c h a d u lts d u p lic a te . A ls o , p r o v id e g o a ls fo rm s o f th e s e and own to in le a rn in g e x p e r ie n c e th is te a c h in g im m ed iate feed b ack a n o t h e r im p o r ta n t p r i v a c y i s s u e s . The m ic ro c o m p u te r h a s p o t e n t i a l f o r a p p lic a tio n s in p ro je c to r, w ith as a t e a c h in g to o l ways b la c k b o a r d , m ovie p r o j e c t o r , e t c . a d u lts . In a d d itio n , c o m p u ter s im ila r to th e o v e rh e a d to en h an c e th e i n s t r u c t i o n s y s te m s li n k e d to g e th e r p r o v id e a c c e s s to a v a r i e t y o f i n f o r m a tio n b a s e s w hich a llo w a d u l t s to a c q u i r e and m a n ip u la te i n f o r m a t i o n . 24 G e rv e r (1 9 8 4 ) s ta te s th a t " in a d d itio n to th e e d u c a tiv e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f c o m p u te rs i n a d u l t l e a r n i n g , im p o r ta n t reaso n s why c o m p u te rs m a t t e r to e d u c a tio n a l and th e re a re o th e r a d u l t e d u c a t o r s " , and th e s e re a so n s in c lu d e : 1. The g ro w th i n p u b l i c and p r i v a t e u s e o f c o m p u te rs dem ands an a w a re n e s s and r e s p o n s e from a d u l t e d u c a tio n . 2. T h ere i s a g ro w in g demand f o r l e a r n i n g a b o u t c o m p u te rs . 3» C h ild r e n h av e become h e a v i l y in v o lv e d and a r e u s in g co m p u te rs e x t e n s i v e l y w hich i s and c h ild re n in c a u s in g an i n c r e a s i n g g ap b etw ee n a d u l t s th e ir a b ilitie s to deal w ith th is new te c h n o lo g y . 4* Many a d u lt e d u c a to r s a re u s in g c o m p u te rs to su p p o rt a d u lt l e a r n i n g i n a num ber o f s i g n i f i c a n t a r e a s . 5. T h ere i s a g ro w in g em p h a sis p la c e d on d i s t a n t l e a r n i n g i n some in s titu tio n s w h ich w i l l a llo w f o r f u r t h e r d e v elo p m en t o f th e c o m p u ter i n e d u c a t i o n . W ith th is b a ck g ro u n d in f o r m a t i o n , th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e w i l l n eed to lo o k a t a v a r i e t y o f ways o f t r a n s f e r r i n g in fo rm a tio n , a llo w in g o p p o rtu n itie s and and e n c o u r a g in g e n c o u ra g in g th e a d o p tio n in d iv id u a liz e d of le a r n in g co m p u ter te c h n o lo g y f o r th e farm b u s i n e s s . The c o m p u ter i n a d u l t e d u c a tio n a llo w s f o r one m ore m ethod by w hich a d u lts can C e n te r fo r th e a d u l t s ta k e a d v a n ta g e E d u c a tio n a l ta k e c o u r s e s of le a rn in g S ta tis tic s to o p p o rtu n itie s . (1 9 8 1 ) advance in in d ic a te s The th a t n e a rly t h e i r jo b and w o rk . N a tio n a l 50$ o f M e ie rh e u ry (1 9 8 2 ) i n d i c a t e s t h a t c o m p u ter s p e c i a l i s t s and a d u l t e d u c a to r s w i l l have 25 to w ork t o g e t h e r to f u l l y e x p lo r e and e s t a b l i s h w hat m ic ro c o m p u te rs can do t o en h an c e and c o n t r i b u t e to a d u l t l e a r n i n g . Summary The c o m p u te r i s d e f i n i t e l y a p a r t o f s o c i e t y and i n th e f u t u r e w i l l im p a c t on a lm o s t a l l a s p e c t s o f p e o p le s l i v e s . an a c tiv e d e c is io n p a r t in th e a d u l t e d u c a t i o n a l p r o c e s s a s a t e a c h in g t o o l and m aking a i d . e x te n s iv e M ic ro c o m p u te rs w i l l h ave W ith a p p lic a tio n to tim e m ic ro c o m p u te rs w i l l be fou n d b u s in e s s , a s p e c ts o f a d u lts ' li v e s . in d u s try , e d u c a tio n to h av e and many o t h e r The a d u l t e d u c a to r w i l l n eed to c o n s i d e r th e m ic ro c o m p u te r a s a te a c h i n g t o o l s i m i l a r to o t h e r a u d io and v i s u a l a i d te c h n o lo g ie s th a t en h an c e l e a r n i n g . The new t e c h n o lo g ie s a v a i l a b l e to a d u l t e d u c a t o r s , su c h a s th e m ic ro c o m p u te r, w i l l n eed to be v iew ed a s a su p p o rt to in fo rm a tio n , im p ro v e th e a d u lt l e a r n new s k i l l s le a rn e rs ' a b ility to and expand t h e i r a b i l i t y o b ta in to f i n d new a n sw e rs to com plex q u e s t i o n s . The fa rm in g m ic ro c o m p u te r and th e has m eth o d s and u se d w ill by c o n tin u e th e M ich ig an to h av e an C o o p e r a tiv e im p a c t E x te n s io n S e r v ic e t o d e l i v e r e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s and in f o r m a tio n to f a r m e r s . th e new c o m p u te r d riv e n te c h n o lo g ie s a re a d a p te d , th e on As M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s t a f f and o t h e r a d u l t e d u c a to r s w i l l need to a d h e r e to th e b a s i c p r i n c i p a l s o f a d u l t e d u c a tio n and a d u l t l e a r n i n g . T h is re se a rc h e x p lo r e d th e m ic ro c o m p u te r re la te d le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s c a r r i e d o u t by a s e l e c t e d num ber ( 1 2 ) o f f a rm e rs who own and s u c c e s s fu lly b u s in e s s e s . use more th a n one m ic ro c o m p u te r pro g ram in th e ir farm CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY In tro d u c tio n The p u rp o s e o f t h i s m ic ro c o m p u te r M ich ig an le a rn in g fa rm e rs farm b u s i n e s s e s . s tu d y was to a c tiv itie s e x p l o r e th e a c t u a l and p r e f e r r e d c a rrie d who own and s u c c e s s f u l l y o u t by a s e le c te d g ro u p u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n T h is c h a p t e r p r o v id e s a s t e p - b y - s t e p of th e ir d e s c rip tio n of th e r e s e a r c h m e th o d o lo g y w h ich s e r v e d a s a b a s i s f o r c o l l e c t i n g d a t a and a n a l y s i s o f th e d a t a . P ro b lem A rea The p ro b lem a r e a fo r th is s tu d y o f a c t u a l and p r e f e r r e d le a rn in g a c tiv itie s o f M ic h ig a n f a r m e r s who u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs s u c c e s s f u l l y f o r m ore one th a n p u rp o s e i n th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s in c lu d e s th re e b ro a d a re a s o f in q u ir y : 1. What l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s h a v e f a r m e r s , who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs , en g ag ed i n to a c q u i r e th e s k i l l s and k n ow ledge r e q u i r e d to u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs s u c c e s s f u l l y i n t h e i r farm b u s in e s s e s ? 2. How do f a r m e r s p r e f e r to l e a r n to i n c r e a s e t h e i r know ledge and s k ills in th e u se of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r in th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s ? 3. What ty p e s of e d u c a tio n a l 26 su p p o rt do fa rm e rs d e s ire to 27 i n c r e a s e t h e i r u s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n s ? The r e s e a r c h s tu d y s e e k s to c o n trib u te e d u c a tio n a l a c t i v i t i e s u n d e r ta k e n by f a r m e r s . of lo o k th is fa rm e rs, s tu d y i s to who own and e ffe c tiv e n e s s and at a ll le a rn in g u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs u sa g e of th e to e x is tin g re se a rc h on The p a r t i c u l a r e m p h asis a c tiv itie s s u c c e s s fu lly , m ic ro c o m p u te r in u n d e r ta k e n re la te d by to th e f a r m in g . The i n t e g r a t i o n o f p r e v io u s f i n d i n g s w i l l b e h e l p f u l i n p r o v id i n g a d d i t i o n a l m eaning to f i n d i n g s i n t h i s r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t . A ssu m p tio n s The f o ll o w i n g a s s u m p tio n s w ere in v e s tig a te d in th is s tu d y . The th e ir farm p a r t i c i p a n t s a r e f a r m e r s who: - p e rc e iv e o p e ra tio n th e m s e lv e s a d o p tin g v e ry e a r ly a f t e r new t e c h n o lo g ie s in th e i n t r o d u c t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y of new t e c h n o l o g i e s ; - h a v e d e v o te d tim e to le a rn in g a b o u t th e u s e and a p p l i c a t i o n of m ic ro c o m p u te rs to t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s ; - s o u g h t o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s from a v a r i e t y o f s o u r c e s ; - a r e in v o lv e d i n a num ber o f l e a r n i n g p r o j e c t s e a c h y e a r and s e e k o u t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s r e l a t e d t o m ic ro c o m p u te rs ; - le a rn from com m unity. a v a rie ty o f e d u c a tio n a l o p p o rtu n itie s in th e 28 S o u rc e s o f D ata T h e re w ere two m eth o d s in c lu d e d i n t h i s s tu d y . q u e s tio n n a ire in te r v ie w . in t e r v i e w th a t The u se d to c o lle c t d a ta from th e 12 f a r m e r s D em ographic in f o r m a tio n was c o l l e c t e d th r o u g h a ea c h seco n d s tu d y p a rtic ip a n t m ethod c o n d u c te d by th e of fille d c o lle c tin g re se a rc h e r a t out d a ta p rio r was a to th e s tru c tu re d th e home a n d / o r farm o f eac h s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t . The q u e s t i o n n a i r e w ere n o t a p a r t p a rtic ip a n ts . C o u n ty . and i n t e r v i e w w ere p i l o t e d of th e s tu d y b u t m et th e The two fa rm e rs in th e w ith two f a r m e r s who same c r i t e r i a p ilo t w ere as lo c a te d th e in s tu d y Ingham The r e s e a r c h e r c o n t a c te d th e s e two f a r m e r s b y te le p h o n e a n d / o r i n p e r s o n to r e q u e s t t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e i n p i l o t i n g th e n b e in g in te r v ie w e d by th e r e s e a r c h e r . th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e and T h e ir s u g g e s tio n s w ere u sed to m o d ify b o th th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e and th e i n t e r v i e w . The in f o r m a tio n q u e s tio n n a ire in co m e, s iz e , c o lle c te d in c lu d e d : f a m ily s i z e , age, from th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s m a rita l s ta tu s , e th n ic o rig in , g e n d e r, l e v e l o f e d u c a tio n c o m p le te d , d e s c r i p t i o n o f farm farm e n t e r p r i s e s and m em bership i n farm o r g a n i z a t i o n s . q u e s tio n n a ire h a rd w a re and was u sed s o f tw a r e th r o u g h th e to th a t c o lle c t in f o r m a tio n was owned and u se d as about A ls o , th e m ic ro c o m p u te r a p a rt o f th e farm b u s in e s s . The i n t e r v i e w in c lu d e d q u e s ti o n s r e l a t e d to m ic ro c o m p u te r l e a r n i n g a c tiv itie s , g ro u p s, tim e so u rces spent of u s in g a s s is ta n c e th e in m ic ro c o m p u te r, u s in g th e l e a r n i n g n e e d s r e l a t e d to t h e m ic ro c o m p u te r. m ic ro c o m p u te r m ic ro c o m p u te r and user fu tu re 29 S tu d y P o p u la tio n and Sample The num ber e s tim a te d each by year num ber th e in 2 o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs M ich ig an th e ir in d ic a te s C o o p e r a tiv e annual th e owned by M ich ig an re p o rts E x te n s io n fo r e s tim a te s th e made S e r v ic e past by f a rm e rs th re e th e has b een s t a f f members y e a rs. M ich ig an T ab le C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s t a f f . T a b le 2 : Y ear Humber o f M ic ro c o m p u te rs Owned by M ich ig an F arm ers______ E s tim a te d Number Number C o u n tie s R e p o r tin g * o f F arm ers (Number o f C o u n tie s i n M ich ig an n=83) 1984 1985 1986 69 --* * 76 1020 1405 1512 *T hese e s t i m a t e s w ere made by c o u n ty a g r i c u l t u r a l a g e n t s a s p a r t o f t h e i r a n n u a l r e p o r t in f o r m a tio n f o r 1984, 1985 and 1986. * * D ata n o t a v a i l a b l e . S u b je c ts fo r m ic ro c o m p u te rs from w hich th is s tu d y w ere s u c c e s s fu lly th e s tu d y in 12 M ich ig an f a r m e r s who own and u se th e ir farm p a rtic ip a n ts w ere b u s in e s s e s . s e le c te d The p o p u la tio n m et th e f o llo w in g c rite ria : 1. R e s id e s in a c o u n ty th a t has at l e a s t an $80 m i l l i o n g ro ss a g r i c u l t u r e incom e b a s e d on th e 1982 c e n s u s o f a g r i c u l t u r e ; 2. R e s id e s in a c o u n ty th a t has 30 or more fa rm e rs who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs a s r e p o r te d b y c o u n ty E x te n s io n s t a f f i n 1986; 3* Q u a lifie s as a co m m ercial fa rm e r w ith over $ 4 0 ,0 0 0 a g r i c u l t u r e incom e from th e farm b u s in e s s i n 1986; g ro ss 30 4* R e s id e s A gent i n a M ich ig an c o u n ty w here th e E x te n s io n A g r i c u l t u r e a n d /o r C ounty fa rm e rs who own and w illin g to a s s is t in E x te n s io n D ir e c to r s u c c e s s fu lly m ak in g use th e can id e n tify m ic ro c o m p u te rs in itia l c o n ta c t and w ith th e is th e p o t e n t i a l s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . The 1 985-86 C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e A nnual R e p o rt from C ounty E x te n s io n s t a f f members i d e n t i f i e d f a r m e r s who own m ic r o c o m p u te r s . th irte e n c o u n t i e s h a v in g 50 o r m ore T ab le 5 l i s t s t h e t h i r t e e n c o u n t i e s . T a b le Jz L i s t o f M ich ig an C o u n tie s w ith 50 o r More ____________F a rm e rs Owning M ic ro c o m p u te rs_______________ **Number o f * G ro ss Ag C ounty F a rm e rs Income i n M i l l i o n s A lle g a n B ranch C alhoun C ass H ills d a le Ingham Kalam azoo K ent Lenawee Monroe S a n ila c T u s c o la W ashtenaw 50 50 50 65 50 57 55 100 40 50 50 150 50 125*0 5 0 .4 5 4 .8 5 5 -5 5 9 -7 65*0 55-1 7 7 -7 8 8 .8 62.1 1 0 1 .5 8 4 .4 5 1 -7 • T h is in f o r m a tio n i s ta k e n from th e 1982 C ensus o f A g r i c u l t u r e . * * T h is in f o r m a tio n was ta k e n from th e 1986 M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e A nnual R e p o rt and i s b a s e d on C ounty CES s t a f f e s tim a te s . 31 P o u r c o u n t i e s m et th e p r e v i o u s l y m e n tio n e d c r i t e r i a o f h a v in g more th a n $80 m i l l i o n of a g ric u ltu re Lenawee and T u s c o la c o u n t i e s . and s ix fa rm e rs per M ich ig an c o u n ty in 1982: A lle g a n , S a n ila c , Two o f th e f o u r c o u n t i e s w ere s e l e c t e d , c o u n ty p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere s e l e c t e d incom e p a rtic ip a te d in th e s tu d y . S tu d y from th e g ro u p o f f a r m e r s i d e n t i f i e d C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s ta ff by th e m em ber. The p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere s e l e c t e d and in t e r v ie w e d d u r in g J u l y o f 1987* P erso n a l c o n ta c t was made C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s ta ff p u rp o s e th e and fo r of f o llo w in g s tu d y s te p s w ere ask w ith th e two p erso n s th e ir f o llo w e d in to c o u n tie s ' e x p la in su p p o rt M ich ig an th e n a t u r e and and a s s is ta n c e . The id e n tify in g , c o n ta c tin g and i n t e r v i e w i n g th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s : 1. The r e s e a r c h e r c o n t a c te d th e c o u n ty s t a f f p e r s o n s i n Lenawee and A lle g a n C o u n tie s to s e e k t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e i n t h i s s tu d y . 2. The c o u n ty s t a f f p e r s o n a s s i s t e d th e r e s e a r c h e r by i d e n t i f y i n g e ig h t and f a rm e rs two p e rso n s to from e a c h c o u n ty , se rv e as s ix a lte rn a te s . each s e n t a l i s t o f s ix to s e r v e a s p a r t i c i p a n t s The two c o u n ty CES s t a f f p o t e n t i a l s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s to th e r e s e a r c h e r . 3. The s ta ff p e rso n in A lle g a n and Lenawee C o u n tie s c o n t a c te d e a c h f a r m e r to s e e k h i s / h e r w i l l i n g n e s s to p a r t i c i p a t e i n th e s tu d y . 4. The re se a rc h e r a lo n g w ith was sent a d d re sse s and a fin a l lis t te le p h o n e o f s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts num bers and a c o u n ty map i n d i c a t i n g th e l o c a t i o n o f e a c h fa rm . 5. W ith in two w eeks of re c e iv in g th e lis t ea c h fa rm e r was 32 c o n t a c te d v is it. an by th e r e s e a r c h e r by a te le p h o n e c a l l o r p e rso n a l The r e s e a r c h e r e x p la in e d th e p u rp o s e o f t h e s tu d y , s e t in te rv ie w q u e s tio n n a ire and (A p p en d ix (A p p en d ix d e liv e re d in s u r e d (A p p en d ix e x p la in a tio n rese a rc h d a te to th e E) C) a lo n g w ith th e re q u ire d and A) w ere farm at c o n fid e n tia lly . e ith e r sent le a s t two th e The le tte r of p e r m is s io n fo r by m a il days or p rio r to hand th e in te rv ie w . 6. A s t r u c t u r e d i n t e r v i e w was c o n d u c te d by th e r e s e a r c h e r a t th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t ’ s home o r farm o f f i c e . 7. F o llo w in g th e in te r v ie w a th a n k you l e t t e r was s e n t t o eac h s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t (A p p en d ix D ). I n te r v i e w D e s c r ip ti o n The re se a rc h e r s c h e d u le d two h o u rs fo r i n t e r v i e w s w ere c o n d u c te d b y th e r e s e a r c h e r to q u e s tio n s ask ed ea c h in te rv ie w . A ll i n s u r e h im s e lf t h a t th e and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n would be a s c o n s i s t e n t a s p o s s i b l e . I n te r v i e w s w ere s c h e d u le d a t th e c o n v e n ie n c e o f th e fa rm e r and s t a r t e d a s e a r l y a t 8 :0 0 a .m . o r a s l a t e a s 8 :0 0 p .m . fo r The tw e lv e p a rtic ip a n ts th e in te rv ie w w ere in t e r v ie w e d s c h e d u le ). The in in te rv ie w J u ly was (see A ppendix G s tru c tu re d in th e f o llo w in g m a n n er: 1. Each p a r t i c i p a n t was g iv e n a v e r b a l e x p l a n a t i o n o f th e p u rp o s e o f th e s tu d y . 2. D em ographic from th e in f o r m a tio n q u e s tio n n a ire and to o th e r assu re in f o r m a tio n th a t th e was fa r m e r re v ie w e d m et th e 33 e s t a b l i s h e d c r i t e r i a f o r th e s tu d y . 3. The r e s e a r c h e r th e n g a th e re d w ould be assu red h e ld th e fa r m e r t h a t th e i n f o r m a tio n in s t r i c t c o n f id e n c e and an o n y m ity p r o v id e d i n r e p o r t i n g th e f i n d i n g s . 4. The in t e r v i e w was c o n d u c te d u s in g th e in t e r v i e w q u e s ti o n s (A p p en d ix F) i n th e o r d e r w r i t t e n . 5. A ll resp o n ses w ere r e c o r d e d in w r i t t e n form o n -s ite by th e re se a rc h e r. In e a c h i n t e r v i e w th e q u e s ti o n s a s k e d w ere e x a c t l y th e same and i n th e same sequence. S e v e ra l p a rtic ip a n ts ask e d to h av e q u e s tio n s c l a r i f i e d and th e r e s e a r c h e r c l a r i f i e d th o s e q u e s t i o n s . The in t e r v i e w p r o t o c o l in c lu d e d s e v e r a l open ended q u e s t i o n s . m ethod of in te rv ie w in g a llo w e d th e re se a rc h e r o b s e rv e w h ile th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t t a l k e d . to lis te n , T h is reco rd and T h is in t e r v i e w i n g te c h n iq u e e n a b le d th e i n t e r v i e w e r to l e a r n a b o u t a t t i t u d e s and f e e l i n g s a s w e ll a s th e s u b s t a n t i v e m a t t e r s d i s c u s s e d . The open ended q u e s ti o n s a llo w e d th e re se a rc h e r to p ro b e th o s e a r e a s t h a t w ere u n c l e a r when a s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t re sp o n d e d w ith a v e ry b r i e f an sw er o r d id n o t u n d e r s ta n d th e q u e s t i o n t h a t was a s k e d . T h is m ethod o f i n t e r v i e w i n g a llo w e d th e r e s e a r c h e r to ch e c k th e p e r c e p t i o n s o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t . M anagement and A n a ly s is o f D ata The i n t e r v i e w q u e s t i o n s (A ppendix F) p ro v id e d th e fram ew ork f o r th e i n t e r v i e w e r t o a s k q u e s t i o n s i n th e same o r d e r and u s e th e same w o rd in g w ith e a c h p a r t i c i p a n t in th e s tu d y . The i n t e r v i e w s w ere c o n d u c te d i n 34 th e home o r farm o f f i c e o f ea c h s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t . As i n d i c a t e d fille d o u t a q u e s tio n n a ire q u e s tio n n a ire s tu d y p re v io u s ly in t h i s was u sed p a rtic ip a n t, i n f o r m a tio n u se d i n about th e re v ie w e d p rio r to c o lle c t h is /h e r th e d em o g ra p h ic f a m ily B e fo re and q u e s tio n n a ire th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s in te rv ie w farm t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re farm b u s i n e s s . th e to c h a p t e r th e (A p p en d ix E ) . The in f o r m a tio n about o p e ra tio n , and and th e b a s ic s o f tw a r e owned and i n t e r v i e w b eg an th e r e s e a r c h e r f o r c o m p le te n e s s and v a r i f i e d p a rts o f th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e w ith th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t to be s u r e th e fa r m e r m et th e e s t a b l i s h e d c r i t e r i a f o r t h i s s tu d y . The d a ta and in f o r m a tio n g a th e r e d from th e q u e s tio n n a ire p r e s e n te d i n a s e r i e s o f t a b l e s and f i g u r e s i n C h a p te r IV. s ta tis tic s a re u sed to p a rtic ip a n ts . A v erag es s ta tis tic s in u sed th is sum m arize and th e ra n g e s s tu d y . d e m o g ra p h ic s a re The th e D e s c rip tiv e of p r im a r y in f o r m a tio n is th e s tu d y d e s c rip tiv e g a th e r e d from th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e i s u sed to d e s c r i b e who th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s a r e , th e s i z e and ty p e o f fa rm , t h e i r farm in c o m e, and th e ty p e s o f o r g a n i z a t i o n s to w hich th e y b e lo n g . The r e s p o n s e s to th e open ended q u e s t i o n s asked in th e in te rv ie w w ere sum m arized and a g g r e g a te d to p r o v id e an i n d i c a t i o n o f th e f r e q u e n c y o f r e s p o n s e s to th e s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n s i n th e i n t e r v i e w . Sum m aries o f th e r e s p o n s e s to th e open en d ed q u e s t i o n s a llo w e d th e r e s e a r c h e r to draw c o n c lu s io n s a c c o r d in g to f r e q u e n c y o f s i m i l a r r e s p o n s e s . The sum m aries o f th e r e s p o n s e s to th e open ended q u e s t i o n s a r e l o c a t e d i n C h a p te r IV and c o n c lu s io n s C h a p te r V. In draw n th e from th e s e in te r v ie w open th e re ended w ere q u e s ti o n s th re e a re q u e s ti o n s fou n d in re la te d to 35 le a rn in g a c tiv itie s p rio r to th e q u e s tio n s re la te d to le a rn in g q u e s tio n s re la te d to p re fe rre d p u rc h a s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r; e i g h t a c tiv itie s le a rn in g a fte r th e a c tiv itie s p u rc h a se ; and fiv e m e th o d s; and e le v e n q u e s t i o n s r e l a t e d to f u t u r e l e a r n i n g . The in f o r m a tio n g a t h e r e d and c o n c l u s i o n s draw n from t h i s s tu d y w i l l be h e lp fu l to e d u c a tio n a l se v e ra l a u d ie n c e s : p ro g ram s and m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; m ic ro c o m p u te r fa rm e rs in to le a rn in g who th e ir a d u lt a re farm e d u c a to r s o p p o rtu n itie s a n tic ip a tin g b u s in e s s ; who a r e th e p r o v id in g re g a rd in g in c o rp o r a tin g M ich ig an a C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e ; v o c a t i o n a l t e c h n i c a l s c h o o ls t h a t p r o v id e e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m s to f a r m e r s on m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; and th o s e i n th e p r i v a t e s e c to r who a r e s e l l i n g m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re a n d / o r s o f tw a r e f o r u s e i n farm b u s in e s s e s . F u rth e r, th e c o n c lu sio n s draw n from t h i s s tu d y w i l l a s s i s t th o s e who d e s ig n n o n fo rm a l e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s f o r f a r m e r s and o t h e r a d u l t s who a re s e e k in g r e s e a r c h e r s u g g e s ts fa rm e rs' le a rn in g th a t th e o p p o rtu n itie s th e b a s i c T h is s tu d y a d d s to th e m ic ro c o m p u tin g . le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s know ledge and s k i l l i n c o m p a tib le w ith in re la te d to T h is in c re a s in g th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s h o u ld be p r i n c i p l e s and p r a c t i c e s o f a d u l t e d u c a tio n . r e s e a r c h b a s e i n th e f i e l d o f a d u l t e d u c a tio n , s e l f - d i r e c t e d l e a r n i n g and th e a p p l i c a t i o n o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r to a d u l t e d u c a tio n . CHAPTER IV S tu d y F in d in g s In tro d u c tio n The p u rp o s e o f t h i s s tu d y was to e x p lo r e th e l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s o f a sam ple o f f a r m e r s who u t i l i z e farm " b u s in e s s e s . th e ir a c tiv itie s in th e ir The s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s p ro v id e d an o v e r a l l p i c t u r e o f le a rn in g s u c c e s s fu lly a m ic ro c o m p u te r s u c c e s s f u l l y a c tiv itie s in th e ir w ere as re la te d farm b u s i n e s s . e x p lo r e d th ro u g h l e a r n i n g n e e d s w ere i d e n t i f i e d to u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r The ty p e s o f p r e f e r r e d th is s tu d y . In a d d itio n , le a rn in g fu tu re b a s e d on g o a l s f o r e x p a n d in g th e u se o f t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r. The f i n d i n g s i n th is c h a p t e r a r e p r e s e n te d and d is c u s s e d in sev en s e c tio n s : - M eth o d o lo g y F in d in g s - D e s c r i p t i o n s o f th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s - Types o f M icro co m p u ter H ardw are and S o ftw a re - L e a rn in g A c t i v i t i e s U n d e rta k e n - P r e f e r r e d L e a rn in g - F u tu r e L e a rn in g N eeds - Summary o f F in d in g s M e th o d o lo g ic a l F in d in g s S o u n d n ess re se a rc h of m e th a d o lo g y It was can im p a c t found th e fin d in g s p re -in te rv ie w of su c h as th is . q u e s tio n n a ire , as su p p le m e n t to d a t a c o l l e c t i o n , was a v e r y s u c c e s s f u l 36 th a t d e s c rip tiv e w ritte n 37 te h c n iq u e . The s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y had no d i f f i c u l t y c o m p le tin g th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e w h ich was u se d to g a t h e r d em o g ra p h ic d a t a , i n f o r m a tio n a b o u t th e farm b u s in e s s and t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o ftw a re . A ll p a r t i c i p a n t s l i s t e d n o n -fa rm in c o m e, m em b ersh ip i n fa rm e d , num bers of d a iry t h e i r a g e , g r o s s farm in c o m e, g e n d e r , farm a n d /o r and n o n -fa rm liv e s to c k , o rg a n iz a tio n s , and num ber of a c re s c h ild re n . A ppendix E c o n t a i n s th e c o m p le te q u e s t i o n n a i r e u sed b y t h e r e s e a r c h e r . S tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e r e q u i r e d from 20 to JO m in u te s to c o m p le te . The q u e s tio n n a ire was th e farm sent to th e at le a s t s tu d y two p a rtic ip a n ts d ay s p rio r to or p e rs o n a lly d e liv e re d in te rv ie w . A ll s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s c o m p le te d th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e p r i o r to th e i n t e r v i e w . to e ith e r th e S e v e r a l p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e l e t t e r (A p p en d ix C) w hich acco m p an ied th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e was h e l p f u l to them i n c o m p le tin g th e q u e s tio n n a ire . th e le tte r and A ls o , se v e ra l c o m p le tin g th e p a rtic ip a n ts q u e s tio n n a ire in d ic a te d b efo re h e l p f u l to them i n p r e p a r i n g f o r th e i n t e r v i e w . th e th a t r e a d in g in te rv ie w was A ll p a r t i c i p a n t s s ig n e d th e r e s e a r c h c o n s e n t form (A p p en d ix A ), w ith o u t h e s i t a t i o n , p r i o r t o th e in te r v ie w . A s tru c tu re d in te r v ie w An a p p o in tm e n t was s e t a t e ith e r The by a te le p h o n e in te rv ie w s 1987. A ll q u e s tio n s on b eg an th e c o n v in c e o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t and a r r a n g e d c a ll or a v is it on J u l y p a rtic ip a n ts th e was c o n d u c te d w ith eac h s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t . 9, w ere q u e s tio n n a ire d u r in g th e i n t e r v i e w . to th e 1987 and w ere v ery and c o o p e r a tiv e re sp o n d e d farm by th e co m p le te d as to th e y a ll re se a rc h e r. on J u ly 20 , c o m p le te d a ll q u e s tio n s A ppendix F c o n t a i n s th e i n t e r v i e w q u e s t i o n s . a sk e d The 38 in t e r v i e w s in te rv ie w to o k from c o n s is te d one of to 51 two h o u rs q u e s tio n s to and c o m p le te . v a ria tio n The in p la n n e d tim e was a c o n s e q u e n c e o f some p a r t i c i p a n t s ' a s k in g q u e s ti o n s f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n and p r o v id in g ad d ed d e t a i l i s r e s p o n s e to q u e s t i o n s . T h ere w ere v a r i a t i o n s i n th e am ount and c o n t e n t o f i n f o r m a tio n and d a ta c o lle c te d from th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . F a c t o r s su c h a s a g e , s i z e o f farm o p e r a t i o n , and th e am ount o f tim e t h a t th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t had owned and u se d in f l u e n c e d th e a m ic ro c o m p u te r c o n te n t of th e in d a ta th e ir farm g a th e re d . po sed by th e r e s e a r c h e r w ere a n s w e re d . b u s in e s s H owever, a ll may have q u e s ti o n s A ll s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere v e r y r e l a x e d an d showed no s i g n s o f d is c o m f o r t a t th e b e g in n in g o r d u r in g any p o r t i o n s o f th e i n t e r v i e w s . The 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere n o t a c q u a in te d w ith th e r e s e a r c h e r p r i o r to th e th e i n i t i a l farm home p a rtic ip a n ts re la te d to at w ere c o n ta c t. a k itc h e n The i n t e r v i e w s w ere c o n d u c te d e i t h e r i n ta b le e n th u s ia s tic th e farm b u s i n e s s . about or in th e ir th e farm o ffic e . m ic ro c o m p u te r A ll a c tiv itie s They w ere e a g e r to s h a r e t h e i r l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s and p e r c e p t i o n s w ith th e r e s e a r c h e r . The i n t e r v i e w e r d id n o t n o t i c e any r e l u c t a n c e on t h e p a r t o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s to l i m i t th e am ount a n d / o r c o n t e n t o f th e i n f o r m a tio n and d a t a th e y p r o v id e d . I n f o r m a tio n p ro v id e d r e s e a r c h e r by r e s t a t i n g p e rc e p tio n s of th e d u r in g th e in te rv ie w s was v e rifie d by th e th e r e s p o n s e s to be s u r e t h a t th e i n t e r v i e w e r 's a n s w e rs b e in g g iv e n w ere c o r r e c t and b a s e d on th e in f o r m a tio n p ro v id e d b y th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . 39 D e s c r i p t i o n o f S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s D em ographic in c lu d in g : i n f o r m a tio n was o b ta in e d from ea c h in fo rm a tio n , d e ta ile d 1986 co m m o d itie s T a b le s p a rtic ip a n t g e n d e r ; ag e r a n g e ; l e v e l o f e d u c a tio n c o m p le te d ; c o u n ty o f r e s i d e n c e ; and num ber o f c h i l d r e n a t hom e. f a r m in g , s tu d y 4, in f o r m a tio n g ro ss farm p ro d u c e d . 5 and 6 in co m e, T h is and was r e q u e s te d o ff-fa rm b ack g ro u n d w ill be In a d d i t i o n to th e p e r s o n a l about in co m e, in f o r m a tio n d is c u s s e d fu rth e r num ber o f y e a r s a c re s farm ed and is sum m arized in th e in f o llo w in g p ara g ra p h s. In t h i s s tu d y t h e r e w ere n in e m a le s and t h r e e f e m a le s . ra n g e d from 26 t o w ere b etw ee n 51 y e a r s o f age. 46 and 50 y e a r s ; F iv e p a r t i c i p a n t s one p a r t i c i p a n t fe ll T h e ir a g e s in d ic a te d th e y b etw ee n 41 and 45 y e a rs; two 51 th r o u g h 35 ag e ra n g e and two 36 th ro u g h 40 y e a r s o f a g e . F ifty p erce n t o ld e r. of th e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts w ere 46 y e a rs of age and T a b le 4 g iv e s a b reakdow n f o r e a c h ag e g ro u p w ith th e num ber and p e r c e n ta g e in ea c h g r o u p . Two o f th e fe m a le s w ere i n th e 4 6 -5 0 y e a r ra n g e and one i n th e 3 1 -3 5 y e a r r a n g e . A ll 12 c o m p le te d of th e th e M ich ig an T ec h n o lo g y p ro g ra m . had gon e d eg ree . on p a rtic ip a n ts to T ab le S ta te h ig h U n i v e r s i t y 's two s c h o o l, year and fo u r A g ric u ltu ra l One p e r s o n had c o m p le te d a b a c h e l o r ’ s d e g r e e and g r a d u a te 4 co m p le te d g iv e s school a but c o m p le te had not breakdow n c o m p le te d of a m a s t e r 's e d u c a tio n a l le v e ls c o m p le te d b y th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s . The l e n g t h o f tim e f a r m in g , th e s i z e o f fa rm in g o p e r a t i o n s and th e co m m o d itie s fa rm s. grow n re p re s e n ts a lim ite d cro ss s e c tio n of M ich ig an No a tte m p t was made by th e r e s e a r c h e r to h av e a c o m p le te c r o s s 40 s e c tio n of s tu d y . E ig h t o f th e y e a rs M ich ig an o r m o re ; y e a rs; y e a rs. and fa rm s of p a rtic ip a n ts th re e one b ecau se in d ic a te d p e rso n th e s m a ll in te r v ie w e d sam p le s iz e fo r th is had b e e n fa rm in g f o r 20 th e y had b een fa rm in g from 10 to he had b e e n fa rm in g from 15 in d ic a te d 15 to 20 The farm s i z e a s m e asu re d b y a c r e s farm ed i s g iv e n i n T a b le 6 . E ig h t o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s farm ed fe w e r th a n 1 ,0 0 0 a c r e s , and f o u r farm ed m ore th a n 1 ,0 0 0 a c re s a c r e s w ith th e was a c re s 6 9 7 .5 of la n d . la r g e s t a c re a g e w h ile p a r t i c i p a n t s had l e s s th e The s m a l l e s t a c r e a g e farm ed b e in g mean was 3>575 a c r e s . 1 ,0 6 8 th a n $ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 o f g r o s s farm ed was 178 The a v e r a g e acre s. Four o f th e farm incom e i n 1 9 86; f i v e had from $ 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 t o $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 g r o s s farm incom e and t h r e e had m ore th a n $ 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 g r o s s incom e from f a r m in g . a r e sum m arized i n T a b le 5 . incom e i n 1986. $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 to fo r ra n g e from $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 t o Two i n d i c a t e d o f f - f a r m 1 9 8 6 and one $ 5 0 ,0 0 0 . s m a l l e s t g r o s s farm in c o m e . o f g ro ss farm incom e N ine o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s had l e s s th a n $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 o f o f f - f a r m $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 The d e t a i l s in d ic a te d T h is F ig u r e farm a l s o incom e from o ff-farm incom e i n th e was th e farm w ith th e 1 p r o v id e s a summary o f th e g r o s s - farm incom e and F ig u r e 2 p r o v id e s a summary o f th e o f f - f a r m incom e f o r th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . 41 T a b le 4« S e le c te d C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s P erso n a l C h a ra c te ris tic s G ender Fem ale Male Age <26 26 31 36 41 46 >51 th r o u g h th r o u g h th r o u g h th r o u g h th r o u g h Number 3 9 30 35 40 45 50 0 1 2 2 1 5 1 L ev e l o f E d u c a tio n C om pleted 20 0 0 3 1 8 1986 G ro ss Farm Income <$ 4 0 ,0 0 0 40,0 0 1 th r o u g h 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 100.001 th r o u g h 2 5 0 ,0 0 0 250.001 th r o u g h 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 500.001 th r o u g h $1m >$1m 0 1 3 5 2 1 1986 O ff-F arm Income <$ 10,000 1 0 .0 0 0 th r o u g h 1 9 ,9 9 9 2 0 .0 0 0 th ro u g h 4 9 ,9 9 9 > 5 0 ,0 0 0 9 2 1 0 7 5 .0 1 6 .7 8 .3 0 43 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 777771 ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// < 40,000 F ig u r e 1. 4 0 ,0 0 0 to 100,000 100,001 250,001 to to 2 5 0,000 5 0 0,000 D o lla r s D o lla r s o f G ro ss Farm Income f o r 1986 urn ///// ///// mu mu mu mu mu 500,001 to 1m urn mu mu mu >1m 44 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 9 77777 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// 1 77777 ///// ///// ///// ///// ///// [777771 1 0 ,0 0 0 2 0 ,0 0 0 to 1 9 ,9 9 9 to 5 0 ,0 0 0 D o lla r s ///// ///// <1 0 ,0 0 0 F ig u r e 2 . >5 0 , 0 0 0 O ff-F arm Income f o r 1986 i n D o lla r s T ab le 6 show s th e s i z e o f fa rm s and ty p e s o f c o m m o d ities r a i s e d on th e fa rm s owned by th e d iv e rs ity of c la s s ifie s s tu d y co m m o d ities co m m ercial and fa rm s $ 4 0 ,0 0 0 o r m ore p e r y e a r . p a rtic ip a n ts . farm as s iz e . th o s e fa rm s As i n d i c a t e d The w ith U .S . a th e re C ensus g ro ss is a B ureau incom e of C o n s e q u e n tly a l l th e fa rm s i n t h i s s tu d y a r e c l a s s i f i e d a s co m m ercial f a im s . T h ree q u e s ti o n s w ere ra is e d by th e a d o p tio n o f new t e c h n o l o g i e s by th e in te rv ie w e r th a t s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s e x p lo re d fo r th e ir th e farm b u s in e s s e s . E le v e n o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s v iew ed th e m s e lv e s a s th e f i r s t p u rc h a se r a m ic ro c o m p u te r of in th e ir n e ig h b o rh o o d . A m ore g e n e r a l 45 q u e s ti o n a s k e d when th e y a d o p te d an y new t e c h n o lo g ie s fo r th e ir fa rm . T hree p a r t i c i p a n t s s a id th e y w ere u s u a l l y th e f i r s t p e r s o n to a d o p t new farm te c h n o lo g ie s u s u a lly i n t h e i r n e ig h b o rh o o d . le a s t le t at a d o p tin g it to o b s e rv e d t h e i r n e ig h b o r s a d o p t new te c h n o lo g ie s f i r s t th e ir one o th e r fa rm . fa r m e r Seven p a r t i c i p a n t s Two o t h e r s try a s tu d y new s a id te c h n o lo g y p a rtic ip a n ts th e y b e fo re s a id th e y and th e n a d o p te d them a f t e r th e y w ere a p ro v e n s u c c e s s . A fu rth e r q u e s ti o n asked s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts to t e c h n o lo g ie s th e y had a d o p te d i n th e p a s t f i v e y e a r s . id e n tify w hich T h ere w ere se v e n who had u se d new m a rk e tin g te c h n iq u e s su c h a s com m odity o p t i o n s , h e d g in g c ro p s a n d /o r liv e s to c k and d ire c t m a rk e tin g to a p a c k e r. Seven p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere u s in g n o - t i l l a g e p l a n t i n g s y s te m s and 10 w ere u s in g a form o f c o n s e r v a t i o n t i l l a g e p r o d u c tio n p r a c t i c e s . th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . su c h a s c h i s e l p lo w in g p a r t o f t h e i r c ro p Many o t h e r new t e c h n o l o g i e s had b een a d o p te d by 46 T a b le 6 . *Farm C om m odities P ro d u ced C h a ra c te ris tic No. D a iry Cows B eef F e e d lo t Swine B eef C ow -C alf Sheep P o u ltr y - L a y e r s Cash G ra in **C ash Crop G reenhouse 3 2 4 2 1 1 7 2 1 Range 90 t o 200 h ead 150 t o 500 head 400 t o 6 ,0 0 0 heac 50 t o 270 h ead 200 head 2 0 0 ,0 0 0 head 35 to 2 ,3 9 0 a c r e s 50 to 450 a c r e s NA A cres Farmed <250 251 th r o u g h 500 501 th r o u g h 1 ,0 0 0 1,001 th r o u g h 2 ,0 0 0 > 2 ,0 0 2 1 2 5 2 2 *A11 fa rm s e x c e p t one p ro d u c e d more th a n one com m odity. **C ash c ro p in c lu d e d a C h ris tm a s t r e e e n t e r p r i s e and a p o ta to fa rm . In a d d i t i o n to th e q u e s t i o n s r e l a t e d to a d o p tin g new t e c h n o l o g i e s f o r th e fa rm , p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere a s k e d to i d e n t i f y te c h n o lo g ie s t h a t w ere owned by th e ir f a m i ly . T ab le te c h n o lo g ie s th e y i d e n t i f i e d . 7 su m m arizes th e v a r io u s le is u re tim e 47 T a b le 7» F am ily Owned L e i s u r e Time T e c h n o lo g ie s Ite m Number Owned VCR V ideo Camera V ideo M ovies E d u c a tio n a l V ideo S te r e o System C a s s e t t e Tape P la y e r s 35mm Cam eras TV Compact D isc P la y e r ^ ty p e w rite r The s tu d y 7 2 5 2 9 11 10 12 0 11 p a rtic ip a n ts b e lo n g e d to a w ide ra n g e of farm and com m odity o r g a n i z a t i o n s . O r g a n iz a tio n m em bership ra n g e d fom r two to s i x o rg a n iz a tio n s a v e ra g e w ith th e b e in g 3 .3 per p a rtic ip a n t. Ten p a r t i c i p a n t s b e lo n g e d to t h e M ich ig an Farm B u re a u , t h r e e e a c h i n d i c a t e d m em bership in A s s o c ia tio n , th e M ich ig an and a members o f a c h u r c h . p a rtic ip a n ts , to AgriCom, b re e d L iv e s to c k E x ch an g e, a s s o c ia tio n . D a iry Herd Im provem ent N ine i n d i c a t e d th a t I t i s i n t e r e s t i n g t o n o te t h a t o n ly one o f t h e t e n who was a member o f th e M ic h ig a n Farm B u re a u , th e th e y w ere M ich ig an Farm B u r e a u 's c o m p u ter s u b s c r ib e d in f o r m a tio n n e tw o rk s y s te m . Types o f M ic ro c o m p u te r H ardw are and S o ftw a re The 12 s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts owned th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e t h a t was u se d i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . p u rc h a s e d m ic ro c o m p u te rs p r i o r to 1981. 1982 th r o u g h 1984 and t h r e e i n h a rd w a re and Two s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s Seven made t h e i r p u r c h a s e s from 1986 o r 1987* F ig u r e 3 su m m a rizes th e 48 y e a r o f m ic ro c o m p u te r p u r c h a s e s made by th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . The b ra n d o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs owned by th e p a r t i c i p a n t s i s sum m arized i n T a b le 8 . B ig h t o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s owned e i t h e r a n IBM o r a b ra n d o f m ic ro c o m p u te r t h a t i s a n IBM c o m p a tib le s y s te m . R adio Shack m ic ro c o m p u te rs m ic ro c o m p u te r. w ith th e and two Two p a r t i c i p a n t s owned p a rtic ip a n ts owned th e A pple N e i t h e r th e A pple o r R ad io S hack h a rd w a re was c o m p a tib le IBM. Seven p a r t i c i p a n t s owned modems and fiv e d id not own is as modems a s p a r t o f t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r s y s te m . The am ount fo llo w s : of money two p a r t i c i p a n t s sp en t on spent le s s m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re th a n $ 2 ,0 0 0 f o r th e ir h a rd w a re ; e i g h t s p e n t from $ 2 ,0 0 0 to $ 4 ,0 0 0 f o r t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r h a r d w a r e ; and two s p e n t m ore th a n $ 4 ,0 0 0 fo r th e ir h a rd w a re . The d a t a in T a b le 8 su m m arizes th e am ount o f money s p e n t on m ic ro c o m p u te r h a r d w a r e . T h ere was p a rtic ip a n ts v a ria tio n u se d th e ir in th e am ount m ic ro c o m p u te r in of tim e th e ir th a t th e b u s in e s s e s 12 s tu d y ea c h w eek. F iv e p a r t i c i p a n t s u sed t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r fe w e r th a n 5 h o u rs p e r w eek; one p a rtic ip a n t spent 5 m ic ro c o m p u te r 1 0 -1 4 h o u rs to 9 F ig u r e per w eek; th re e p e r w eek; one i n d i v i d u a l u sed i t h o u rs p e r w eek, and two u s e d w eek. h o u rs u sed th e ir fro m 15-19 t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r 20 o r more h o u r s p e r 4 su m m arizes th e h o u r s o f u sa g e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r by th e tw e lv e s t u d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . The p e r c e n ta g e o f tim e t h a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r was u sed f o r th e farm b u s in e s s ra n g e d p e rc e n t. E ig h t from a low o f p a rtic ip a n ts fiv e u se d p e rc e n t th e ir to a h ig h o f one h u n d re d m ic ro c o m p u te r from 80 to 100 p e r c e n t o f th e tim e f o r t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s ; two p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y u se d t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r f o r t h e i r farm b u s in e s s f i f t y p e r c e n t 49 of th e tw e n ty ti m e ; one p e r s o n p erce n t of th e in d ic a te d tim e fo r th a t farm th e y u se d b u s in e s s ; th e ir and m ic ro c o m p u te r one p a rtic ip a n t i n d i c a t e d t h a t h e / s h e u s e d t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r 5 p e r c e n t o f th e ti m e . Two o f th e th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s h a v e h i r e d a p e r s o n to i n p u t d a t a i n t o m ic ro c o m p u te r fo r th e ir farm b u s in e s s but s till c o n s id e r e d th e m s e lv e s a s th e p r im a r y u s e r . The v a r i a t i o n th e s tu d y i n th e am ount o f tim e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r was u se d by p a rtic ip a n ts p e r week v a r ie d m ic ro c o m p u te r was u sed i n th e by th e farm b u s i n e s s . p u rp o s e s f o r w hich th e The two p a r t i c i p a n t s who had th e g r e a t e s t am ount o f tim e u s e p e r week w ere th e two p a r t i c i p a n t s th a t u se d th e m ic ro c o m p u te r fo r o b ta in in g d a i l y m a rk e tin g in f o r m a tio n and m a in ta in e d d e t a i l e d h e rd r e c o r d k e e p in g s y s te m s . Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 4 3 2 [77771 [7777] //// llll 1 //// llll //// llll <1981 F ig u r e 5» //// nu un U777\ llll L1982 LLL llll 1983 198 1985 Y ear o f P u rc h a s e 1986 [7777] llll llll 1987 Y ear o f M ic ro c o m p u te r P u rc h a s e by th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s 50 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts [77771 llll III/ llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll <5 F ig u r e 4 . 7771 llll llll 5 to 9 10 to 14 H ours o f Use nn uu uu 15 to 20 nn nu nn uu uu uu >20 H ours o f M icro co m p u ter Use P e r Week by th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s 51 T a b le 8 . M icro co m p u ter H ardw are Used i n Farm B u s in e s s Number C h a ra c te ris tic ♦C olum bia ♦♦♦A pple ♦♦R adio Shack ♦ Z e n ith ♦IBM ♦ L e a d in g Edge ♦Compag 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 Summary ♦IBM C o m p a tib le s ♦♦R adio Shack ♦♦♦A pple 8 2 2 P u rc h a s e P r i c e o f H ardw are < $ 1 ,0 0 0 1 ,0 0 0 2 ,0 0 0 3 ,0 0 0 4 ,0 0 0 > $ 5 ,0 0 0 th r o u g h th r o u g h th r o u g h th r o u g h 0 2 4 4 1 1 1 ,9 9 9 2 ,9 9 9 3 ,9 9 9 5 ,0 0 0 Modems Hayes R adio Shack A pple U .S . R o b o d ics D o n 't Own Modems The s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts p rim a ry co m p u ter u s e r i n fe m a le and th e 3 2 1 1 5 s p o u se in te r v ie w e d th e of f a m i ly . th e fa rn in d ic a te d th a t th e y w ere th e T hree o f th e p rim a ry u s e r s w ere o w n er. Two o f th e fa rn ow ners i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y h i r e d a p e r s o n to i n p u t d a t a b u t th e y s t i l l w ere th e p rim a ry u s e r and th e k ey c o m p u te r p e r s o n f o r th e farm b u s i n e s s . 52 When a sk e d about m ic ro c o m p u te r s i x th e ir in d ic a te d le v e l of s a tis fa c tio n w ith t h a t th e y w ere " v e r y s a t i s f i e d " ; f i v e " s a t i s f i e d " ; and one p e r s o n i n d i c a t e d "som ew hat s a t i s f i e d . " s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts "v e ry m ic ro c o m p u te rs w ish in d ic a te d d is s a tis fie d " . th e y o th e r had th e y of th e IBM o r v ia e ith e r fo u r s a te llite and th e ir " d is s a tis fie d " in d ic a te d h a rd w a re Two p a r t i c i p a n t s owned s a t e l l i t e in f o r m a t i o n . m ic ro c o m p u te r s a id None o f th e p a rtic ip a n ts IBM c o m p a tib le s c u r r e n t m a rk e tin g and p r i c e r e c e iv e d w ere p u rc h a s e d IBM m ic ro c o m p u te r c u r r e n t h a rd w a re . r e c e iv e th a t Two th a n th e ir or who own th a t th e y in s te a d of th e ir r e c e i v i n g d i s h e s to T h is in f o r m a tio n was d is p la y e d th e c u rre n t m a r k e tin g in f o r m a tio n on v a r i o u s c o m m o d itie s . F o u r o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r " h a d n 't p a id f o r i t s e l f y e t b u t w o u ld " . " p a id fo r its e lf w i t h i n th e Two i n d i c a t e d firs t y e a r ," s ix t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r had in d ic a te d th a t th e ir m ic ro c o m p u te r " p a id f o r i t s e l f w i t h i n two y e a r s o f p u r c h a s e " . The 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s i n th e r e s e a r c h s tu d y lo o k e d to a w ide ra n g e o f so u rc e s of p u rc h a se . i n f o r m a tio n The s tu d y fo r h e lp in p a rtic ip a n ts w ere in f o r m a tio n asked fo r w hich to im p o rta n c e th e ir summary o f th e m ost im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s o f i n f o r m a tio n 9- so u rc e s o f d e c id in g m ic ro c o m p u te r ra n k m aking th e in o rd er p u rc h a se . is to of A fo u n d i n T a b le 53 T a b le 9* Im p o rta n c e o f S o u rc e s o f I n f o r m a tio n P r i o r t o M icro cm o p u ter P u rc h a s e F re q u e n c e o f R esp o n se F irs t Second T h ird C hoice C hoice C hoice I n f o r m a tio n S o u rce A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. M icro co m p u ter S a le s P e rs o n Com puter M agazine C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e R e la tiv e C om puter T rad e Shows Farm M ag azin es V o c a tio n a l T e c h n ic a l S c h o o ls Farm Shows C om puter C o u rse N eig h b o r P a rtic ip a n ts sought v a rie d 2 1 2 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 so u rc e s of p u rc h a s e 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 in fo rm a tio n . The r a n k in g s would i n d i c a t e t h a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s a l e s p e r s o n was th e m ost im p o r ta n t so u rce E x te n s io n S e r v ic e of in f o r m a tio n ra n k e d seco n d and th a t among th e so u rces M ich ig an of C o o p e ra tiv e i n f o r m a tio n about m ic ro c o m p u te r s . The 12 s t u d y p a r t i c i p a n t s owned s o f tw a r e p ro g ra m s and te m p la t e s f o r u s e i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . T a b le 10 p r o v id e s a summary o f th e number o f p ro g ra m s ow ned, u se d r e g u l a r l y , num ber o f te m p la t e s w r i t t e n , number o f m ic ro c o m p u te r p ro g ram s w r i t t e n , and th e am ount o f money p a id f o r a l l owned s o f t w a r e . S ix o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s a n d /o r w h ile te m p la t e s in te re s te d in two owned m ore know ing how many o f th e owned t h r e e o r f o u r p ro g ram s th a n n i n e . The r e s e a r c h e r was te m p la te s a n d / o r owned p ro g ram s w ere u se d r e g u l a r l y by th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . The m a j o r i t y (1 0 ) o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s u s e d f o u r o r l e s s re g u la rly . o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r p ro g ram s One p e r s o n u sed more th a n n in e p ro g ram s r e g u l a r l y . p a r t i c i p a n t u se d 5 o r 6 o f th e p ro g ra m s r e g u l a r l y . A n o th e r 54 T a b le 10. M icro co m p u ter S o ftw a re C harac t e r i a t i c No. Number o f P ro g ram s a n d / o r T e m p la te s Owned 0 1 3 5 7 >9 or or or or 2 4 6 8 0 2 6 1 1 2 Number o f P ro g ram s a n d / o r T e m p la te s Used R e g u la r ly 0 1 3 5 7 >9 or or or or 2 4 6 8 0 4 6 1 0 1 Number o f T e m p la te s D eveloped 0 1 or 3 or >5 2 4 3 4 0 5 Number o f P ro g ram s W r it te n 0 1 or 2 >5 Amount P a id f o r S o ftw a re <$500 500 to 1 ,0 0 0 1 ,0 0 0 to 2 ,0 0 0 > 2 ,0 0 0 10 1 1 2 4 6 0 55 As m ig h t be e x p e c te d te c h n o lo g y , many o f th e w ith th e p a rtic ip a n ts new ly a d o p te d (7 ) in d ic a te d farm th a t re la te d th e y had o n ly d e v e lo p e d two o r l e s s t e m p l a t e s , and t e n r e s p o n d e n ts h ad n e v e r w r i t t e n a m ic ro c o m p u te r p ro g ra m . H ow ever, s u rp ris in g ly fiv e p a rtic ip a n ts had d e v e lo p e d more th a n f i v e te m p la t e s f o r u s e i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s . T h ere was an ev en d i s t r i b u t i o n o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t in v e s tm e n t i n m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f t w a r e . $ 1 ,0 0 0 ; O n e - h a lf o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s p a id l e s s th a n th e o t h e r h a l f p a id s o ftw a re . from $ 1 ,0 0 0 to $ 2 ,0 0 0 f o r t h e i r p u rc h a s e d Of th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s o n ly two p a id l e s s th a n $500 f o r t h e i r s o ftw a re . Seven o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s th e b ra n d u s e d . owned modems and t h e r e was v a r i a t i o n in S ix o f th e se v e n p a r t i c i p a n t s a c c e s s e d f o u r d i f f e r e n t c o m p u ter n e tw o r k s . T ab le 11 l i s t s t h e f o u r d i f f e r e n t c o m p u ter n e tw o rk s a c c e s s e d by th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . The num ber o f tim e s th e s i x s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s a c c e s s e d th e n e tw o rk and th e am ount c o n s id e ra b ly . of tim e sp en t on th e c o m p u ter n e tw o rk v a rie d The lo w e s t f r e q u e n c y o f a c c e s s and am ount o f tim e s p e n t on th e n e tw o rk by a s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t was t h r e e tim e s p e r m onth f o r o n e h a lf hour each tim e . The m o st num ber o f tim e s a c c e s s in g n e tw o rk was 24 tim e s p e r m onth f o r s e v e r a l hous e a c h tim e . th a t t h i s s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t a c c e s s e d was v i a in d iv id u a l m o n th . u n li m it e d a c c e s s tim e and th e c o s t The t h r e e o t h e r co m p u te r n e tw o rk s lo n g d i s t a n c e phone c a l l n e tw o rk . s a te llite O nly one to a c c e s s s tu d y a co m p u ter The n e tw o rk and a llo w e d th e was by a s u b s c r i p t i o n p e r r e q u ir e d th e u s e r to pay a th e sy stem p lu s a c o s t o f u s in g th e p a rtic ip a n t of th e s ix in d ic a te d n e tw o rk p r o v id e d enough in f o r m a t i o n to pay f o r i t s e l f . th a t th e The f i v e o t h e r s 56 i n d i c a t e d th e co m p u ter n e tw o rk was n i c e b u t th e te le p h o n e c a l l s w ere to o e x p e n s iv e t o u s e th e n e tw o rk to i t s f u l l e s t e x t e n t . T a b le 11. Com puter N etw orks A ccessed by S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s Number S u b s c r ib in g Com puter N etw ork AgriCom Commodity C om m unications CompuServe P ro F arm er I n s t a n t U pdate A m ore c o m p le te managed a s k in g th e ir farm 1 2 2 d e s c rip tio n fin a n c ia l them w hich sy ste m o f how th e re c o rd s was u sed tw e lv e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s was o b ta in e d to fo r p a rtic ip a n ts . e n te r fo r A griF ax fin a n c ia l re c o rd s summary and p la n n e d reco rd w hich and to k e e p in g m ic ro c o m p u te r i n 1987. u tiliz e d fin a n c ia l The m ic ro c o m p u te r was u se d re c o rd s by Two o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s u t i l i z e d fin a n c ia l sy stem fo rm a l w ere e ig h t tra n s fe rre d to a n a ly s is . One p a rtic ip a n t was c o n v e rt re c o rd s one y e a r . to of th e 12 t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r to th e n w ith i n two q u e s t i o n s k eep t h e i r f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d s and who p r e p a r e d t h e i r farm incom e ta x r e t u r n s . e x te n s iv e ly from h is T h is MSU's TelFarm e n ro lle d m ic ro c o m p u te r p erso n in fo r p u rc h a s e d th e A n o th e r p a r t i c i p a n t k e p t a farm a c c o u n t book and th e m ic ro c o m p u te r f o r y e a r end summary, a n a l y s i s p u r p o s e s , and c a s h flo w p r o j e c t i o n s . T a b le 12 g iv e s a summary o f th e f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d sy ste m s u sed by th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . When i t came to incom e ta x p re p a ra tio n , th re e re lie d upon th e ir 57 farm le n d e r; one u se d an a c c o u n tin g f ir m ; one u sed an incom e ta x p r e p a r e r and one p r e p a r e d h i s / h e r own incom e ta x e s and s i x h i r e d a CPA to p r e p a r e t h e i r incom e t a x . T ab le 12 a l s o p r o v id e s a summary o f incom e ta x p r e p a r a t i o n m eth o d s t h a t th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s u t i l i z e d . T a b le 12. Farm F i n a n c i a l R eco rd K eep in g and Income Tax P r e p a r a t i o n C h a ra c te ris tic Mo. M a in ta in Farm A ccount Book T elFarm A griF ax CPA A c c o u n tin g F irm M icro co m p u ter 1 2 1 0 0 8 Income Tax P r e p a r a t i o n S e lf CPA Farm L en d e r A c c o u n tin g F irm C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e Income Tax P r e p a r e r 1 6 1 0 1 L e a rn in g A c t i v i t i e s U n d e rta k e n One o f th e m a jo r p u r p o s e s o f t h i s le a r n in g a c t i v i t i e s to -fa c e le a rn in g in te rv ie w fa rm e rs s e le c te d in c lu d e d a c tiv itie s u n d e r s ta n d i n g , o f th e th a t in c re a s e s tu d y was to e x p lo r e th e a c t u a l f o r t h i s s tu d y . The f a c e - 10 q u e s t i o n s t h a t d e a l t w ith b ro a d a r e a s o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s th e ir u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n en g ag ed i n know ledge a n d / o r th e ir to in c re a s e farm b u s i n e s s e s . d e v e lo p t h e i r s k ills in th e The te n q u e s t i o n s 58 d e a l t w ith le a rn in g th e ty p e o f le a rn in g , a c tiv itie s , te a c h i n g c o s t o f le a r n in g , h e lp fu l so u rc e s o f and le a rn in g a id s u sed and v a rio u s e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s a t t e n d e d d u r in g th e p a s t on a g r i c u l t u r a l t o p i c s . F ig u r e in s tru c tio n 5 illu s tra te s a n d /o r th e e d u c a tio n a l know ledge and s k i l l s . d o lla rs m a te ria ls spent by re la te d to p a rtic ip a n ts g a i n in g fo r c o m p u ter I t s h o u ld be n o te d t h a t : - F iv e p a id l e s s th a n $20 d u r in g th e f i r s t two y e a r s o f o w n e rs h ip o f t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r; - one p a id b etw ee n $20 and $ 4 9 ; - f o u r p a id from $50 t o $ 9 9 ; - two p a id from $100 to $499* T h ree o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s made a v e r y d e l i b e r a t e e f f o r t to p o i n t o u t to th e in te rv ie w e r th a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r in t e r v i e w d id not tim e was th e b i g g e s t c o s t i n and th e a t te m p t s o f tw a r e to fo r d e te r m in e th e ir th e l e a r n i n g how to u s e farm am ount o p e ra tio n . of le a rn in g p a r t i c i p a n t s s p e n t d u r in g th e f i r s t two y e a r s o f c o m p u ter o w n e rs h ip . The tim e 59 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 5 4 77771 llll llll 3 /III 2 llll llll llll 77771 nn nn nn <20 llll llll 7777 nn nn 100 t o 500 50 to 99 21 to 49 D o lla r S p e n t on L e a rn in g >500 F ig u r e 5» D o lla r s S p e n t to L e a rn M icro co m p u ter Usage The 12 s tu d y d iffe re n t le a rn in g p u r c h a s in g ra n k and o th e rs w ere s itu a tio n s th a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. th e if in q u iry th e y r e a d in g made p e r c e iv e d p o s s ib ilitie s . by p a rtic ip a n ts ask e d to th e y had p o s s ib le th a t th e fo r th e im p o rta n c e p a rtic ip a te d Seven o p ti o n s it ra n k w ere l i s t e d them research e r to had in fo r suggest not of a fte r them and id e n tifie d to ra n k a ll Seven i n d i v i d u a l s ra n k e d th e s t a t e m e n t , " I ta u g h t m y s e lf th e m a n u a ls and u s in g tria l and e r r o r ," as th e ir m ost im p o r ta n t l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t y a f t e r th e p u r c h a s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r; two o th e rs ra n k e d it seco n d Com puter company s p o n s o re d th e s a le ra n k e d in th e s e im p o r ta n t and m o st c la s s e s a n s w e rin g q u e s t i o n s , a s m ost im p o r ta n t two r a n k in g im p o r ta n t and th is one ra n k e d it th ird . and s a l e s p e r s o n 's a s s i s t a n c e a f t e r w ere com bined and t h r e e w ith f i v e r a n k in g c h o ic e p a rtic ip a n ts them a s seco n d m ost a s t h i r d m ost i m p o r ta n t . F iv e p a r t i c i p a n t s ra n k e d v o c a t i o n a l o r com m unity e d u c a tio n a s t h e i r seco n d o r 60 t h i r d m o st im p o r ta n t e d u c a t i o n a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n a f t e r th e p u r c h a s e o f th e c o m p u te r; fiv e ra n k e d a d d i t i o n a l m a n u a ls a n d / o r h o o k s a s t h e i r s e c o n d , th ird o r fo u rth th e ir th ird th is as an or fo u rth th e ir a s s is ta n c e th a t c h o ic e . m o st F iv e i n d i v i d u a l s a l s o m o st im p o r ta n t im p o r ta n t c h o ic e , c h o ic e . ra n k e d CES p ro g ram s a s w h ile One one p e r s o n ra n k e d p e rso n ra n k e d o n -lin e a s “ M s / h e r m o st im p o r ta n t c h o ic e w h ile two o t h e r s m e n tio n ed a d u lt so n or d a u g h te r e x p e r ie n c e d w ith m ic ro c o m p u te rs was a t h i r d m o st im p o r ta n t c h o i c e . The 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s in v o lv e d le a rn in g a c tiv itie s co m p u tin g c l a s s s e s s io n d u r in g at tra in in g 1985 an d th e m s e lv e s i n a b ro a d ra n g e o f 1986. a com m unity c o l l e g e ; program on L o tu s Two in d iv id u a ls to o k a t te n d e d a m u lti­ two o t h e r s 1 -2 -3 s p o n s o re d b y th e a C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e ; two i n d i v i d u a l s o b ta in e d o n e -o n -o n e a s s i s t a n c e from a s o f tw a r e com pany; th re e o th e rs a tte n d e d C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s p o n s o re d e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m s on m ic ro c o m p u te rs ; two a t t e n d e d w orkshops at e ith e r p a rtic ip a n ts and s ta te a tte n d e d s e m in a r , s o f tw a r e or or n a tio n a l m e e tin g s a c o m p u te r t r a d e com m odity tra d e on s e m in a r ; a n o th e r show to o k th re e show , co m p u ter company e x h i b i t s w ith an f o r t h a t com m odity; one p e r s o n a t t e n d e d m ic ro c o m p u te r m ic ro c o m p u te rs ; an a d u lt em p h a sis on co m p u ter th e P u rd u e U n iv e r s it y e d u c a tio n c la s s on m ic ro c o m p u te rs and one p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a m a r k e tin g c o u r s e w hich u t i l i z e d th e m ic ro c o m p u te r as a to o l in a s s is tin g th e fa r m e r in m a rk e tin g d e c is io n s . The 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere a s k e d th e q u e s t i o n , " I f you w ere to a d v i s e o th e r fa r m e r s about w hat is th e best m ic ro c o m p u te r w hat would y o u r a d v ic e b e ? " way to le a rn how to u se th e The i n d i v i d u a l s i n th e s tu d y . 61 had a c h o ic e o f s i x o p t i o n s , and th e y w ere e n c o u ra g e d to add o t h e r s t h a t w ere n o t id e n tifie d . S ix p e r s o n s s u g g e s te d t h a t p u r c h a s in g a d d i t i o n a l t u t o r i a l o r o t h e r h e l p in g s o f tw a r e w ould be u s e f u l ; s i x s u g g e s te d ta k in g a c la s s on m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; s i x s u g g e s te d d i s c u s s i o n s w ith t h e i r C ounty E x te n s io n s t a f f ; and e i g h t s u g g e s te d b u y in g from a b u s in e s s t h a t would p r o v id e a s s i s t a n c e a f t e r t h e s a l e . T h ere w ere 12 a d d i t i o n a l s u g g e s tio n s made by s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s : - P u rc h a s e s o f tw a r e from a company th a t w ill p r o v id e o n e -o n -o n e a s s i s t a n c e a f t e r th e s a l e ; - S eek d e m o n s tr a tio n s o f s o f tw a r e p r i o r to p u r c h a s in g ; - K ent a c o m p u ter firs t to get firs t hand e x p e r ie n c e to see if m ic ro c o m p u tin g i s a lo n g te rm com m itm ent you w ant to m ak e; - Id e n tify g o a ls to b e a c c o m p lish e d w ith th e m ic ro c o m p u te r b e f o r e p u rch ase; - D evelop a s t e p - b y - s t e p p r o c e s s and com m itm ent f o r l e a r n i n g how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r; - If th e m a jo r a c c o u n tin g , work u se of w ith th e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r CPA o r is a c c o u n ta n t fo r to fin a n c ia l e v a l u a te th e s o f tw a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r farm a c c o u n tin g ; - P u rc h a s e some a d d i t i o n a l m a n u als to l e a r n a b o u t m ic ro c o m p u te r; - Look to th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e fo r some a s s i s t a n c e i n e v a l u a t i n g s o f tw a r e , h a rd w a re and i d e n t i f y i n g o t h e r f a rm e rs who a r e u s in g m ic ro c o m p u tin g s u c c e s s f u l l y . T h ree q u e s t i o n s w ere a s k e d t h a t r e l a t e d s k ill and u se o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r k e y b o a r d . how th e y had d e v e lo p e d th e ir s k ill to th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s ' P a rtic ip a n ts w ere a sk e d and how f a s t th e y f e l t th e y w ere i n 62 u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. F ig u r e 6 r e p o r t s w hat th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s s a i d a b o u t t h e i r u s e o f th e k e y b o a rd . Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 6 5 mu mu mu mu B oth mu mu ///// mu mu mu mu mu mu mu B oth mu mu mu mu mu mu /////, mil B oth h an d s b u t two fin g e rs h an d s a ll fin g e rs h an d s 40 w ords p e r m in u te 4 3 2 1 77777] ///// One hand one fin g e r F ig u r e 6 . Method o f U sin g th e M icro co m p u ter K eyboard E ig h t o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s to o k a ty p i n g c l a s s i n h ig h s c h o o l a n d /o r c o lle g e . None o f th e p a rtic ip a n ts u sed a m ic ro c o m p u te r ty p in g t u t o r i a l o r o t h e r s e l f - t e a c h i n g p ro g ram to im prove s k i l l s i n th e u s e o f th e c o m p u te r k e y b o a rd . P a r t i c i p a n t s w ere a s k e d t o a s s e s s t h e i r sp e e d and a c c u r a c y i n u s in g th e k ey b o ard . th e m s e lv e s i n T h ere w ere s ix c h o ic e s t h r e e o f th e o p t i o n s . and th e Two i n d i c a t e d in d iv id u a ls g ro u p e d t h a t th e y w ere f a s t 63 and had some e r r o r s , s ix s a id th e y had m o d e ra te sp eed w ith some e r r o r s and f o u r i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y w ere s lo w , th e y to o k l o t s o f tim e , and had few e r r o r s . assessm en t F ig u r e of th e ir 7 is a sp e e d summary o f and th e a c c u ra c y s tu d y in p a r t i c i p a n t 's u s in g th e s e lf m ic ro c o m p u te r k ey b o a rd . Number of P a rtic ip a n ts 6 uu uu uu HU uu uu HU uu llll uu uu M o d erate UH 5 4 3 2 uu nu HU 1 HU F ast Some E rro rs V ery F ast Few E rro rs F ig u r e 7* The uu\ III! uu //// uu uu llll uu Slow Speed Some E rro rs Few E rro rs S e l f A ssessm en t o f Speed and A c cu racy i n U sin g th e M icro co m p u ter K eyboard in te rv ie w e r w h e th e r p e r c e iv e d sought s k ill m ic ro c o m p u te r u s a g e . in th ro u g h a d d itio n a l to be p ro b e s to d e te r m in e th e u s e o f th e k e y b o a rd was a d e t e r r e n t to T h ere d id n o t a p p e a r to be h e s i t a n c y i n u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r b e c a u s e o f k e y b o a rd s k i l l l e v e l s . a p p e a re d Slow L o ts o f E r r o r s and E a s ily D is c o u ra g e d Slow L o ts o f E rro rs c o n fid e n t and c o m f o r ta b le A ll tw e lv e p a r t i c i p a n t s w ith th e use of th e 64 m ic ro c o m p u te r k e y b o a r d . The tw e lv e s tu d y in f o r m a tio n to le a rn i n f o r m a tio n w e re : p a rtic ip a n ts re p o rte d u se d num erous so u rc e s of T hese so u rc e s of a b o u t m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f t w a r e . farm co m p u te r m a g a z in e s , th e C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s t a f f , E x te n s io n m a t e r i a l s , m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p n e w s l e t t e r , from n e w s p a p e rs and m a g a z in e s , com m odity tra d e o rg a n iz a tio n th e ir c h ild re n , s p o n s o re d m e e tin g s , show s and co m p u te r s a l e s p ro g ra m s . so u rc e s in th e f o ll o w i n g m a n n er: lo c a l lib r a r y , farm and co m p u te r m a g a z in e s , P a rtic ip a n ts F iv e fa irs , e v a l u a te d p a rtic ip a n ts th e s e id e n tifie d c o m m ercial co m p u te r m a g a z in e s and a g r i c u l t u r a l e x h i b i t i o n s a s im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s o f i n f o r m a tio n a b o u t farm co m p u te r s o f t w a r e ; t h r e e b e l i e v e d t h a t th e C ounty th re e C o o p e r a tiv e s a id E x te n s io n S e r v ic e A g en ts farm m a g a z in e s ; t h r e e i n d i c a t e d p a rtic ip a n ts in d ic a te d o th e r fa rm e rs w ere w ere v e r y im p o rta n t; c o m p u ter s a l e s p e r s o n s ; im p o rta n t; two s a id two th e ir c h i l d r e n w ere im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s o f i n f o r m a tio n a b o u t s o f tw a r e ; and t h r e e in d ic a te d a s s is ta n c e th e and company from a w hich m ic ro c o m p u te r th e s o f tw a r e company was p u r c h a s e d , re p re s e n ta tiv e w ere o n -lin e im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s o f in f o r m a tio n a b o u t s o f t w a r e . The p ro g ram s 12 s tu d y s p o n s o re d p a rtic ip a n ts by a had v a rie ty of a t te n d e d num erous o r g a n iz a tio n s . e d u c a tio n a l P a rtic ip a n t a t te n d a n c e a t e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m s d u r in g th e p a s t y e a r ra n g e d from one to 17. The a v e r a g e num ber o f e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s a t te n d e d p e r y e a r by th e 12 s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s was f i v e . The m ed ian num ber was t h r e e f o r th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s . P a rtic ip a n ts a tte n d w ere a s k e d to ra n k w hat i n f l u e n c e d an e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m . The m a jo r i n f l u e n c i n g th e ir d e c isio n to f a c t o r m e n tio n e d 65 "by e le v e n p a rtic ip a n ts was th e q u a lity of th e in f o r m a tio n p re s e n te d . Seven ra n k e d p a s t m e e tin g s a t t e n d e d and s p o n s o re d b y th e o r g a n i z a t i o n a s th e seco n d s e s sio n . se c o n d m ost T h ree or e n te rp ris e th ird im p o r ta n t re a so n p a rtic ip a n ts m ost fo r p a rtic ip a tio n in d ic a te d im p o r ta n t th a t reaso n p ric e fo r in an e d u c a tio n a l in c e n tiv e s a tte n d in g w ere th e some e d u c a t i o n a l and p r o d u c t p ro m o tio n a l p ro g ra m s . p riv a te Seven ra n k e d p a s t m e e tin g s a t t e n d e d and s p o n s o re d by th e o r g a n i z a t i o n a s th e seco n d m ost im p o r ta n t r e a s o n f o r p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n an i n s t r u c t i o n a l s e s s i o n . T a b le 13* F a c to r s I n f l u e n c i n g th e D e c is io n to A tte n d E d u c a tio n a l M e e tin g s F irs t C h oice Maj o r I n f l u e n c i n g F a c t o r A. B. C. D. E. F. Q u a lity o f I n f o r m a tio n P r e s e n te d P a s t M e e tin g s S p o n so re d b y O r g a n iz a tio n P ric e In c e n tiv e s A d v e r tis e m e n ts F re e Lunch Which N eig h b o r A tte n d s T a b le 13 su m m arizes th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s Second C h o ice 11 1 7 2 1 1 1 f i r s t and seco n d c h o ic e s o f f a c t o r s i n f l u e n c i n g t h e i r d e c i s i o n to a t t e n d e d u c a t i o n a l m e e tin g s . The le a rn in g 12 a id s m ic ro c o m p u te r. p a rtic ip a n ts th e y u se d The i n s t r u c t i o n a l m a n u a l, in to th e a s s is t f o llo w in g s in g le s tu d y fiv e them w ere in ite m s concept s h e e ts , asked le a rn in g w ere to id e n tify how g iv e n to as use th e th e c h o ic e s : a u d io t a p e s , v id e o ta p e s , 66 and i n t e r a c t i v e v i d e o . O th e r l e a r n i n g a i d s t h a t w ere u se d d u r in g t h e i r l e a r n i n g p r o c e s s c o u ld a l s o be r e p o r t e d . i n s t r u c t i o n a l m anual and s o f tw a r e w ere u se d c a p a b ilitie s in d ic a te d of u s e r g u id e s e x te n s iv e ly th e th a t h e /s h e to had u se d th a t s o lv e m ic ro c o m p u te r and came w ith a u d io a n d /o r h a rd w a re le a rn s o ftw a re . One v e ry h e l p f u l . v id e o th e p ro b le m s and had u sed a s e l f - i n s t r u c t i o n th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and fo u n d t h a t h e /sh e A ll p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d th e ta p e s d is k about th e in d iv id u a l t h a t came w ith No one i n d i c a t e d or and in te ra c tiv e th a t v id e o in l e a r n i n g to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. N ear th e le a rn in g end a id s of th a t th e had in te rv ie w been a seco n d u tiliz e d in q u e s ti o n was ask e d th e le a rn in g about p ro c e ss. T h is q u e s t i o n was u se d a s a c o n t r o l and was w orded i n a s i m i l a r way to th e f i r s t q u e s tio n . The r e s p o n s e s w ere v e r y s i m i l a r and c o n s i s t e n t w ith th e firs t w hich q u e s ti o n p a rtic ip a n ts s tr e s s e d asked th e about im p o rta n c e u s e r m a n u a ls and g u id e s t h a t s o f tw a r e . E ig h t h e lp fu l o f th e le a rn in g a id s. A ll 12 s e l f - t e a c h i n g m a n u als and came w ith th e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and p a rtic ip a n ts a ls o in d ic a te d th a t th e y had a v a ile d th e m s e lv e s o f m ic ro c o m p u te r i n s t r u c t i o n i n th e c la s s ro o m and fo u n d t h a t th e s e c l a s s e s v a r i e d i n d e g r e e o f h e l p f u l n e s s . T h is was a r e a f f i r m a t i o n o f th e a s s e s s m e n t o f su ch i n s t r u c t i o n v a r i e d i n r e s p o n s e to th e e a r l i e r q u e s t i o n on s i m i l a r l e a r n i n g a i d s . sc re e n p ro je c tio n a llo w in g in s tru c to r th e e q u ip m en t s tu d e n ts was to re fe rrin g was One p e r s o n m e n tio n e d t h a t c o m p u te r v ery a c tu a lly to . h e lp fu l see Seven w hat in th e a c la s s ro o m s e ttin g m ic ro c o m p u te r p a rtic ip a n ts r e p o r te d c la s s u s in g t e c h n i c a l o n - l i n e a s s i s t a n c e from e i t h e r th e c o m p u ter company a n d / o r th e f irm th a t s o ld them th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s o ftw a re . T h ree p a rtic ip a n ts 67 in d ic a te d le c tu re , at th a t th e c la s s ro o m s e s s io n s th a t w ere a c o m b in a tio n of d i s c u s s i o n and h a n d s on e x p e r ie n c e w ere a s h e l p f u l a s w o rk in g home u s in g s e lf-te a c h in g m a n u a ls , u s e r m a n u als and o t h e r a v a i l a b l e r e s o u r c e s i n th e home. A ll t e a c h in g p a rtic ip a n ts th e m s e lv e s in d ic a te d was m ic ro c o m p u te r s k i l l s . th e th a t m ost u s in g s e lf-te a c h in g e ffe c tiv e m ethod m a n u als fo r and in c re a s in g F iv e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t r i a l and e r r o r was a n o t h e r m ethod u se d to in c re a s e th e ir s k ills and t h r e e added t h a t th e y r e l i e d on th e co m p u te r s t o r e to a s s i s t them i n a n s w e rin g q u e s ti o n s and s o l v i n g re lie d some o f t h e i r h e a v ily company v i a q u e s tio n s , on th e o n -lin e te le p h o n e and to q u e s ti o n s to and p ro b le m s . a s s is ta n c e in c re a s e s o lv e a v a ila b le h is /h e r p ro b le m s i n A n o th e r i n d i v i d u a l from k n o w led g e, th e s o f tw a r e an sw er s p e c ific th e u s e o f a s o f tw a r e p ro g ram on farm f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d s . P r e f e r r e d L e a rn in g M ethods A c tu a l l e a r n i n g m e th o d s u t i l i z e d i n an e a r l i e r s e c t i o n . T h is s e c t i o n e x p lo r e s p r e f e r r e d l e a r n i n g m eth o d s a s i d e n t i f i e d b y th e p a r t i c i p a n t . in te r v ie w w h ich m e th o d s , le a rn in g by th e p a r t i c i p a n t s was e x p lo re d re la te d to a id s , th e F iv e q u e s t i o n s w ere a s k e d d u r in g th e th e and tw e lv e fa rm e rs' o rg a n iz a tio n s to p referred le a rn in g conduct tra in in g o p p o r t u n i t i e s on m ic ro c o m p u te rs f o r f a r m e r s . The in te r v ie w e r asked th e p a rtic ip a n ts a i d s t h a t th e y would p r e f e r a t t h i s to id e n tify th e s ta g e i n t h e i r l i t e r a c y le a r n in g to f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e t h e i r u s e and e f f i c i e n c y i n th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. Ten p a r t i c i p a n t s f e l t t h a t th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g and u s e r m a n u a ls c o n t in u e to be e x tr e m e ly im p o r ta n t; n in e s a id th a t th e y would lik e o n e -o n -o n e 68 a s s i s t a n c e a s a p r e f e r r e d way t o use in s tru c tio n a l v id e o ta p e s w atch i n s t r u c t i o n a l TV i f if it f o r f a r m e r s ; two o t h e r s s a i d le a rn ; fiv e a v a ila b le ; in d ic a te d one s a i d w ere a v a i l a b l e t h a t th e y would t h a t h e /s h e w ould by s a t e l l i t e and d e s ig n e d th e y w ould p r e f e r to h i r e a m ic ro c o m p u te r c o n s u l t a n t t o a s s i s t them i n l e a r n i n g . A ll tw e lv e p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d th e y w ould be w i l l i n g to pay f o r m ic ro c o m p u te r t r a i n i n g th e y w ould a s s is ta n c e p ay an d u r in g p a rtic ip a n ts o p p o rtu n itie s . h o u r; ev en th e s a id and in s tru c tio n . h ig h e r le a rn in g th e y fe e if p ro c e ss. w ould E ig h t i n d i c a t e d two s a i d T h e ir comments i n d i c a t e d be th e y w ould r e c e iv e w illin g to pay fo r le a rn in g th e y would p ay b e tw e e n $5 and $10 p e r th e y would p ay from $11 to in d iv id u a l F ig u r e 8 su m m arizes w hat th e to $15 p e r h o u r ; and two s a i d th e y w ould be w i l l i n g to p ay from $16 to $20 p e r h o u r . a w illin g n e s s th a t No one e x p r e s s e d p ay o v e r $20 p e r h o u r f o r m ic ro c o m p u te r i n s t r u c t i o n . H ow ever, f i v e i n d i v i d u a l s s t r e s s e d t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s to pay m ore f o r th e fo rm a l le a rn in g o p p o rtu n itie s if th e y knew i n d e ta il w hat was to be t a u g h t , i f th e y had a m ic ro c o m p u te r to th e m s e lv e s d u r in g th e i n s t r u c t i o n t h a t was s i m i l a r to t h e i r s ; and i f th e in s tx * u e tio n was h ig h q u a l i t y , m et th e ir le a rn in g needs, was re le v a n t to th e ir farm b u s in e s s , d e v e lo p e d f o r t h e i r l e v e l o f e x p e r t i s e w ith th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. and was 69 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts $5 UU uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu uu to $10 uu uu uu uu 11 t o 15 uu uu uu uu 16 t o 20 >20 D o l l a r s P e r Hour f o r L e a rn in g F ig u r e 8 . The M o u n t o f Money P a r t i c i p a n t s Would be W illin g to Pay f o r L e a rn in g O p p o r t u n i t i e s tw e lv e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts w ere p ro v id e d a c h o ic e w hich th e y f e l t w ere th e b e s t way f o r them to l e a r n . of firs t co m p u te r c h o ic e la b o ra to ry ; C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n was a tte n d in g th re e a o th e rs S e r v ic e h an d s in d ic a te d s p o n s o re d on tra in in g th e ir m eth ods The p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere a s k e d to ra n k a t l e a s t t h e i r to p t h r e e p r e f e r e n c e s . th e ir te n firs t F iv e i n d i c a t e d program c h o ic e in to p ro g ra m s ; two o t h e r s s a i d a be th a t t h e i r f i r s t c h o ic e was th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g m a n u a ls ; one p e r s o n s a i d t h e i r firs t c h o ic e was th e v o c a tio n a l te c h n ic a l c la s s e s ; and a n o th e r p a r ti c ip a n t in d ic a te d t h e i r f i r s t c h o ic e was c o m p u ter company s p o n s o re d c la ss e s . su m m arizes T a b le 14 th e l e a r n i n g how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts c h o ic e s fo r 70 T a b le 14* S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s ' C h o ic e f o r L e a rn in g How t o Use th e M ic ro c o m p u te r L e a r n in g S i t u a t i o n A. B. C. D. E. P. G. H. Hands on L e a rn in g i n a C om puter L a b o r a to r y M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e S p o n so re d P ro g ram s S e lf - T e a c h in g M anuals V o c a tio n a l T e c h n ic a l C la s s e s C om puter Company S p o n so re d C la s s e s T e c h n ic a l O n-L ine A s s is t a n c e Books and M anuals N e w le tte r s /M a g a z in e s F irs t C h oice Second C hoice T h ird C h o ice 5 0 4 3 1 0 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 1 1 S e v e r a l o p en ended q u e s t i o n s i n th e i n t e r v i e w s c h e d u le fo c u s e d on a d v ic e p a r t i c i p a n t s w ould g iv e to o t h e r f a r m e r s c o n c e r n in g th e p u r c h a s e , tra in in g S e v e ra l and u s e ite m s o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r a s a p a r t o f th e farm b u s i n e s s . w ere r e p e a te d le a r n in g in c lu d in g : by p a r t i c i p a n t s th a t re la te d d ire c tly to f o u r s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s s u g g e s te d h a n d s on co m p u ter la b o r a to r y le a r n in g o p p o r tu n i tie s ; f iv e in d ic a te d sp re a d s h e e t t r a i n i n g ; th r e e o th e rs f e l t t h a t a r e v ie w o f co m p u ter h a rd w a re w ould be h e l p f u l ; t h r e e i n d i c a t e d th e n eed f o r i n d e p th d e m o n s tr a tio n s o f c o m p u ter s o f tw a r e b e f o r e p u r c h a s e ; t h r e e o t h e r s s t r e s s e d th e im p o rta n c e o f h a v in g h an d s on s o f tw a r e d e m o n s t r a tio n s ; p u r c h a s e s o f tw a r e th re e to p u rc h a se s i g n i f i c a n t am o u n ts o f tim e th e open p a rtic ip a n ts ended g av e s u g g e s te d th a t fa rm e rs s h o u ld t h a t c o u ld be u se d f o r an im m ed iate n eed so t h a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r w ould be p u t to f a r m e r s p la n n in g a lso q u e s tio n s to th e u s e im m e d ia te ly ; and two i n d i c a t e d a m ic ro c o m p u te r s h o u ld p la n to t o l e a r n how t o u s e i t . w ere m ore v e ry s p e c ific s im ila r q u e s tio n s set th a t a s id e The r e s p o n s e s to to th a t re sp o n se s w ere th a t r e p o r te d 71 e a r l i e r in th is s e c tio n . P a r t i c i p a n t s w ere q u e r r i e d a b o u t t h e i r h in d s i g h t r e g a r d i n g how to le a rn m ore e f f i c i e n t l y f a r m in g . a b o u t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and i t s a p p lic a tio n to They re s p o n d e d a s f o l l o w s : - F iv e i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y w ould make th e same d e c i s i o n s ; - S ix w ould ta k e a c l a s s on m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; - T h ree would h av e made a m ore in d e p th re v ie w of th e s o f tw a r e a v a ila b le fo r s p e c ific p u rp o se s; - T h ree in d ic a te d th e y would h av e s p e n t m ore tim e v i s i t i n g w ith o t h e r f a rm e rs b e f o r e m aking t h e i r d e c i s i o n ; - Two p e r s o n s in d ic a te d s e lf-in s tru c tio n and th e y user would h av e made g r e a t e r g u id e s and p u rc h a s e d use of th e a d d itio n a l m a n u a ls ; - One p e r s o n i n d i c a t e d t h a t h e / s h e would h av e l i k e d to ta k e a c l a s s to im p ro v e u s e o f th e k e y b o a rd ; - One p e rs o n in d ic a te d th a t h e /s h e would o b ta in a s s is ta n c e on te m p la te d e v e lo p m e n t. P r e f e r r e d l e a r n i n g was f u r t h e r e x p lo r e d th r o u g h th e open ended q u e s ti o n in th e in t e r v i e w e d u c a tio n a l s h o u ld be th a t p ro g ram s o ffe re d . and The asked w hat p a rtic ip a n ts s u b je c t f o llo w in g area s s ta te m e n ts how th e y on farm a re a w ould d e s ig n m ic ro c o m p u tin g summary o f th e ir s u g g e s tio n s : - Four in d iv id u a ls E x te n s io n S e r v ic e in d ic a te d s h o u ld th a t th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e d e v e lo p a h a n d s -o n co m p u ter l a b o r a t o r y f o r f a r m e r s , and d e s ig n and c o n d u c t c l a s s e s f o r v a r i o u s l e v e l s o f e x p e rtis e ; 72 - F iv e s u g g e s te d i n d e p th i n s t r u c t i o n on s p r e a d s h e e t d e v e lo p m e n t f o r farm a p p l i c a t i o n s ; - Two i n d i c a t e d a d e s i r e to h av e a n e d u c a t i o n a l s e r i e s on d a t a h a s e m an ag em en t; - Four would lik e m ore a s s is ta n c e in re v ie w in g c o m m e rc ia lly a v a i l a b l e s o f tw a r e f o r o n -fa rm a p p l i c a t i o n s ; - Two i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y w ould l i k e to h av e an im p ro v ed know ledge b a s e i n b a s i c a c c o u n tin g p r i n c i p l e s ; - T h ree p o in te d o u t a n e e d f o r d e v e lo p in g a b e t t e r u n d e r s ta n d in g o f MS-DOS, b a s ic co m p u te r fu n c tio n s , b u lle tin b o a rd s and n e tw o rk fa r m e r s h o u ld buy from s y s te m s t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e . E ig h t p a rtic ip a n ts s u g g e s te d th a t b u s i n e s s t h a t w i l l p r o v id e a s s i s t a n c e th e s a le of b o th th e a a o v e r a lo n g p e r io d o f tim e a f t e r m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o ftw a re . S ix p a r t i c i p a n t s a d v is e d t h a t a fa rm e r s h o u ld p u r c h a s e some s o f tw a r e to h e lp le a rn to u se th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. m ic ro c o m p u te r c l a s s and s i x ta lk w ith a in d ic a te d S ix a ls o s u g g e s te d t h a t t h e y 'd M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n ta k i n g a a d v is e th e fa r m e r to S e r v ic e s ta ff p e rso n ab o u t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o f tw a r e t h a t i s a v a i l a b l e f o r f a r m e r s . Four g ro u p . s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts H ow ever, a t o t a l o f s i x w ere members of c u rre n tly p a rtic ip a n ts members a t t e n d e d b e lo n g e d to m ic ro c o m p u te r u ser s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere e i t h e r p a s t o r p r e s e n t members o f a m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g r o u p . are a m e e tin g s T h ree o f th e f o u r who re g u la rly . a u s e r g ro u p l e s s Four th a n one y e a r . of th e s ix One p e r s o n was a member b etw ee n one to two y e a r s ; a n o t h e r had p a r t i c i p a t e d b etw ee n th r e e to f iv e y e a r s . 73 A ll s ix in d ic a te d w ere of th a t th e ir u ser s p o n s o re d d e te rm in e w ere by th e a sk e d a co m p u te r s e l e c t from w ere c u rre n t or s to re or in one past members The u s e r g ro u p s case, a le n d e r. To o f th e u s e r g ro u p a t t e n d e d , p a r t i c i p a n t s a p p l ie d to The o p p o r t u n i t y was p ro v id e d f o r o t h e r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s to be m e n tio n e d a s w e l l . s o f tw a r e and who g ro u p m et o n ce p e r m o n th . c h a ra c te ris tic s to t h e i r g ro u p . th e p a r t i c i p a n t s among te n c h a ra c te ris tic s th a t T h ree p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e e x ch a n g e o f te m p la t e s to o k p la c e d u r in g th e m e e tin g s ; t h r e e i n d i c a t e d t h a t g ro u p in v o lv e m e n t was an im p o r ta n t p a r t o f t h e i r l e a r n i n g how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r; t h r e e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p s w ere a mix o f f a r m e r s and a g r i b u s i n e s s p e o p le ; one g ro u p was a mix o f f a r m e r s and n o n - f a r m e r s ; two i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e g ro u p was b a s i c a l l y n o n - f a r m e r s ; one p a r ti c ip a n t in d ic a te d th a t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r th e u s e r g ro u p was n o t h e l p f u l i n l e a r n i n g ; g ro u p s a tte n d e d by s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ere n o t s p o n s o re d by th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e . O th e r comments s h a r e d v ia th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s o ftw a re ; user a c c e s s o rie s id e a s, p le a s e d g ro u p such as i n f o r m a tio n th a t by p a r t i c i p a n t s user g ro u p n e w s le tte rs c o n c e r n in g w hat was le a r n e d w e re : w ere p r o v id e d h e lp fu l; i n f o r m a tio n le a r n e d how to on use th e mouse and modem; and t h e r e was an ex ch a n g e o f and s o f tw a r e co m p u te r a p p l i c a t i o n s . was u s u a lly T h ree r e s p o n d e n ts w ere d e m o n s tra te d u s u a lly by co m m ercial s o f tw a r e c o m p a n ie s . N ine C o o p e r a tiv e g ro u p s. of th e s tu d y E x te n s io n Two o th e rs p a rtic ip a n ts S e r v ic e fe lt s h o u ld th a t in d ic a te d o r g a n iz e E x te n s io n th a t th e M ich ig an m ic ro c o m p u te r s h o u ld m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p s and one p e r s o n had no o p in io n . not user o r g a n iz e In a d d itio n , 74 th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s made s e v e r a l s u g g e s tio n s a b o u t m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p s if o r g a n iz e d by th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e rv ic e . S u g g e s tio n s made w e r e : 1. R eview farm s o f tw a r e ; 2. S h a re t e m p l a t e s ; 3. L e a rn how to d e v e lo p t e m p l a t e s ; 4. The u s e r g ro u p n e e d s t o be s t r u c t u r e d w ith a l e a d e r so r e l e v a n t and q u a l i t y in f o r m a tio n w i l l be p r e s e n t e d ; 5. Have a v a r i e t y o f a g r i c u l t u r a l com m odity i n t e r e s t s r e p r e s e n t e d w ith th e u s e r g ro u p . The i n t e r e s t by th e s t u d y p a r t i c i p a n t s f o r th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n e v id e n t S e r v ic e to o r g a n iz e from p a rtic ip a n ts th e and d a ta m ic ro c o m p u te r c o lle c te d i s im p o r ta n t d u r in g fo r th e user th e g ro u p s is c e rta in ly in te rv ie w o f o rg a n iz a tio n to th e 12 c o n s id e r fo r f u t u r e program m ing e f f o r t s . F u tu r e L e a rn in g Meeds E ach e x p a n d in g th e of th e 12 s t u d y p a rtic ip a n ts a sk e d to id e n tity th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r w ith i n t h e i r farm fu tu re . T h is q u e s ti o n was a sk e d by g o a ls fo r b u s in e s s e s in th e r e s e a r c h e r to i d e n t i f y f u t u r e e d u c a t i o n a l n e e d s t h a t th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s p e r c e iv e d t h a t th e y w ould have. Each p a rtic ip a n t id e n tifie d e x p a n d in g th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. more th a n one goal fo r The g o a ls h av e b e e n g ro u p ed by b ro a d a r e a s o f i n t e r e s t and a r e sum m arized i n th e f o llo w in g p a r a g r a p h . E ig h t p a r t i c i p a n t s m ic ro c o m p u te r in in d ic a te d a d e s ire to expand farm m anagem ent d e c i s i o n m ak in g . th e ir u s e o f th e T h is would in c lu d e 75 a s s e t m anagem ent, e v a lu a tin g cost g o v ern m e n t a n a ly sis , farm buy, s e ll p ro g ra m s . and l e a s e c o m p a ris o n s , Some p a r t i c i p a n t s a lre a d y and owned th e s o f tw a r e t o a c c o m p lis h t h e s e g o a l s w h ile o t h e r s p la n n e d t o p u r c h a s e or d e v e lo p te m p la t e s to a c c o m p lis h th is g o a l. S ix p a rtic ip a n ts i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y w an ted to ex p an d th e u s e o f t h e i r f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d s in th e a r e a s o f d e v e lo p ih g d e t a i l e d a n d /o r m a in ta i n in g d e v e lo p te m p la t e s reco rd s. d e p re c ia tio n to m a in ta i n Four p a r t i c i p a n t s c a s h f lo w s , re c o rd s. fie ld w ant F iv e h is to rie s to incom e ta x m anagem ent, in d ic a te d and m ore c o m p le te ex p an d a n d / o r add h e rd r e c o r d k e e p in g s y s te m s to t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r s y s te m . w anted to m a rk e tin g expand th e use c a p a b ilitie s . of th e ir Two a l s o m ic ro c o m p u te r in d ic a te d g r e a t e r u s e o f t h e i r m ic ro c o m p u te r to and sw in e h e rd s. is th a t b a la n c e A d d iti o n a l g o a l s m e n tio n e d d a t a b a s e m anagem ent f o r h e r b i c i d e s ; l e a r n th a t a lre a d y ow ned; u p g ra d e a d e s ire th e c ro p and f l o c k Two p a r t i c i p a n t s to th e y ra tio n s at to e n h an c e w anted fo r le a s t th e ir to th e ir on ce make d a iry i n c lu d e d : to u s e m ore o f th e s o f tw a r e p rin te r; and p u rc h a se a lim ite d num ber o f s o f tw a r e p ro g ra m s to do a s p e c i f i c t a s k f o r th e farm b u s i n e s s . A f o llo w - u p q u e s t i o n was a s k e d to a s c e r t a i n l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s n ee d e d to d e s ire fo r te m p la t e s d a ta base h a v in g a c c o m p lis h h a v in g fo r th e ir farm and g o a ls s p e c ific farm m anagem ent, r e v ie w s c o m m ercial a th e and c ite d . c la s s b u s in e s s . two ex p re sse d on u s in g a s p r e a d s h e e t Two o t h e r s p a rtic ip a n ts d e m o n s tr a tio n s s o ftw a re . Four p a r t i c i p a n t s of P a rtic ip a n ts th e w ould l i k e e x p ressed cu rren t s u g g e s te d c o u ld be o b ta in e d v ia one o f th e f o ll o w i n g m e th o d s : a t th e c o m p u te r s t o r e , o n e -o n -o n e a s s i s t a n c e to an a d e v e lo p a c la s s on in te re s t in a p p lic a tio n s fu rth e r of e d u c a tio n r e f r e s h e r s e s s io n from s o f tw a r e company w ith 76 s e v e r a l o f th e la n g u a g e , re v ie w a th e s o f tw a r e c la s s p ro g ram s a l r e a d y ow ned, a c l a s s i n a c o m p u ter on word p r o c e s s i n g , s e lf-in s tru c tio n m a n u als and h av e an e x p e r ie n c e d and user g u id e s th a t w ere p erso n in th e p o s s e s s io n o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t . A g en era l " fu rth e r q u e s ti o n m ic ro c o m p u te r was a sk e d of tr a in in g ." th e The p a rtic ip a n ts re sp o n ses w h ich e x p lo re d w e re : te n of th e i n d i v i d u a l s e x p r e s s e d i n t e r e s t i n r e c e i v i n g f u r t h e r t r a i n i n g i n te m p la te d e v e lo p m e n t; se v e n i n d i c a t e d i n t e r e s t i n a re v ie w o f c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e farm s o ftw a re ; s ix in d ic a te d g ro u p ; two i n d i c a t e d in d ic a te d a d e s ire an in te re s t in th e m ic ro c o m p u te r user i n t e r e s t i n l e a r n i n g a co m p u te r la n g u a g e ; and two to ta k e some c o m p u ter tra in in g to in c re a s e th e ir sp eed i n th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. P a rtic ip a n ts w ere a sk e d how much tim e th e y w ould sp en d on m ic ro c o m p u te r t r a i n i n g d u r in g th e n e x t y e a r . in d ic a te d no i n t e r e s t i n f u r t h e r t r a i n i n g ; w illin g n e s s sp en d two to to sp en d th re e one h o u rs hour per per w eek. week w h ile be w illin g to One p a r t i c i p a n t one p a r t i c i p a n t i n d i c a t e d a S even i n d i c a t e d th re e o th e rs th e y would in d ic a te d th e y would sp en d f o u r o r m ore h o u r s p e r week i n t r a i n i n g p ro g ra m s . F ig u r e 9 i l l u s t r a t e s th e tim e com m itm ent i n f o r m a tio n g r a p h i c a l l y . 77 Number of P a rtic ip a n ts [77771 UU UU UU uu uu UU UU UU UU UU UU UU UU HU U U uu None UU WA uu uu uu uu uu >4 1 hour 2 to 3 H ours P e r Week P a r t i c i p a n t s W illin g to Spend on T r a i n in g F ig u r e 9 . H ours P a r t i c i p a n t s W illin g to Spend on T r a in in g D u rin g th e N ext Y ear Who do p a r t i c i p a n t s re la te d to th e use of fe e l s h o u ld be p r o v id in g e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s o f tw a r e ? The M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e was i d e n t i f i e d a s th e f i r s t c h o ic e by f i v e r e s p o n d e n ts E x te n s io n th ird fo u r c h o ic e ; v o te of was th e one s c h o o ls o th e rs c h o ic e . one S e r v ic e c h o ic e te c h n ic a l from among 11 o p ti o n s s u g g e s te d . as ra n k e d T hree seco n d c h o ic e r e s p o n d e n t. Two th e ir firs t v o c a tio n a l in d iv id u a ls a th ird r e s p o n d e n ts r e s p o n d e n ts te c h n ic a l ra n k e d c h o ic e . th re e ra n k e d c h o ic e a s i n s t r u c t i o n co m p u te r co m p an ies r e c e iv e d as of The M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e c o m p u ter s c h o o ls one " v o te " One r e s p o n d e n t v o c a tio n a l th e ir as a s a seco n d ra n k e d th e p r o v i d e r s ; and as co m p an ies and th e ir seco n d firs t c h o ic e and com m unity a d u l t 78 e d u c a tio n p ro g ram s a s t h e i r f i r s t c h o i c e , and t h r e e o t h e r s ra n k e d i t a s th e ir th ird c h o ic e . Community c o l l e g e s had two r a n k in g s o f se c o n d and f o u r t h , w h ile c o l l e g e s a n d / o r u n i v e r s i t i e s w ere th e t h i r d c h o ic e o f two r e s p o n d e n ts . One p e r s o n ra n k e d a g r i c u l t u r e c o n s u lta n ts a s t h e i r f i r s t c h o ic e . P a r t i c i p a n t s w ere a s k e d t o comment on w h ich m e th o d /m eth o d s w ould be h e l p f u l to them i n l e a r n i n g more a b o u t th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and s o f t w a r e . The p a r t i c i p a n t s from among th e w ere a d d itio n a l th ird c h o ic e . to 10 a l t e r n a t i v e s h a n d s -o n t r a i n i n g fo u r asked ra n k a t le a s t e n u m e ra te d . i n a co m p u ter l a b o r a t o r y p a rtic ip a n ts T h ree r a n k in g th re e to p c h o ic e s F iv e p a r t i c i p a n t s as th is in d iv id u a ls th e ir th e ir ty p e ra n k e d th e of firs t s e le c te d c h o ic e w ith tra in in g M ich ig an as th e ir C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e p ro g ram s a s t h e i r to p c h o ic e and two o t h e r s ra n k e d i t as th e ir firs t fo u rth and fifth c h o ic e . by two p a r t i c i p a n t s , S e lf-te a c h in g seco n d by t h r e e p a rtic ip a n ts , p a r t i c i p a n t s and f o u r t h by one p a r t i c i p a n t . c la s s e s w ere ra n k e d firs t by one m a n u als w ere th ird ra n k e d by two V o c a tio n a l t e c h n i c a l s c h o o l p a rtic ip a n t, seco n d by th re e i n d i v i d u a l s , f o u r t h by two p a r t i c i p a n t s and f i f t h by o n e . T e c h n ic a l on­ lin e firs t a s s is ta n c e and co m p u te r company c l a s s e s w ere ran k ed b y one p e r s o n , se c o n d by f o u r p a r t i c i p a n t s , t h i r d by one and f o u r t h by o n e . S tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts w ere asked to re sp o n d to a h y p o th e tic a l q u e s tio n : " I f a fa r m e r came to you f o r a d v ic e on m ic ro c o m p u te rs w hat w ould s u g g e s tio n s your be?" S u g g e s tio n s o ffe re d w ere of two ty p e s : th o s e to a s s i s t f a r m e r s b e f o r e p u r c h a s in g a m ic ro c o m p u te r ( T a b le 15) and s u g g e s t i o n s a f t e r th e p u r c h a s e had b e e n made ( T a b le 1 6 ). 79 T a b le 15. S u g g e s tio n s Made to O th e r F arm ers B e fo re P u r c h a s in g a _____________M icro co m p u ter__________________________________________________ Number M aking S u g g e s tio n A d v ice R eview i n d e p th th e s o f tw a r e b e f o r e p u r c h a s in g ; Have a d e m o n s tr a tio n o f s o f tw a r e by a f a r m e r w ith m ic ro c o m p u te r e x p e r i e n c e ; O b ta in h a n d s on e x p e r ie n c e u s in g th e s o f tw a r e ; P u rc h a s e s o f tw a r e f o r an im m ed iate n e e d / u s e ; R eview a v a i l a b l e h a rd w a re ; P u rc h a s e IBM c o m p a tib le h a r d w a r e ; Take a c l a s s i n m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; S e t g o a l s o f how th e m ic ro c o m p u te r w i l l be u s e d ; A tte n d p ro g ram on m ic ro c o m p u tin g f o r f a r m e r s . T a b le 16. 6 5 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 S u g g e s tio n s Made to O th e r F a n n e rs A f t e r P u r c h a s in g a M icro co m p u ter A d v ice S p r e a d s h e e t t r a i n i n g and te m p la te d e v elo p m en t f o r th e fa rm . Take a c l a s s on g e n e r a l a c c o u n tin g . Take a c l a s s on d a t a b a s e m anagem ent. P u rc h a s e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re t h a t h a s s o f tw a r e a v a i l a b l e from s e v e r a l s o u r c e s . Take a w ork p r o c e s s in g c l a s s to h e l p p e r s o n become f a m i l i a r w ith th e co m p u te r and k e y b o a rd . Take a b a s i c c o m p u tin g c l a s s to f a m i l i a r i z e th e p e r s o n w ith th e b a s i c f u n c t i o n s o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. Review o f n e tw o rk s y s te m s , b u l l e t i n b o a rd s y s te m s and o t h e r o n - l i n e c o m p u ter a c c e s s s y s te m s . H ire a p e r s o n to i n p u t th e d a t a . Number M aking S u g g e s tio n 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 80 Summary o f F in d in g s The fa rm e rs tw e lv e s tu d y u tiliz in g th e fa r m e r s had p u rs u e d p a rtic ip a n ts w ere a d i v e r s e m ic ro c o m p u te r a v a rie ty in th e ir o f so u rc e s farm " b u s in e s s e s . T hese f o r i n f o r m a tio n t o h e l p them make t h e i r d e c i s i o n to p u r c h a s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. to b e th o s e n o r m a lly c l a s s i f i e d g ro u p o f co m m ercial T h is g ro u p a p p e a re d a s " e a r l y a d o p t e r s o f new te c h n o l o g i e s " r e l a t e d t o f a r m in g . The s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s owned se v e n d i f f e r e n t b r a n d s o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs . S even p a r t i c i p a n t s v a rio u s p u rp o se s. S ix p a r t i c i p a n t s accessed c o m p u ter n e tw o rk s f o r w ere c u r r e n t o r p a s t members o f a m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g r o u p . F o r th e s e f a r m e r s th e m ic ro c o m p u te r was u s e d m o st e x t e n s i v e l y f o r farm f i n a n c i a l a c c o u n tin g and m anagem ent. E le v e n o f th e 12 p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d k e e p in g was w here m o st o f t h e i r tim e was spent when u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. The p e rfo rm e d by th e m ic ro c o m p u te rs on th e s e fie ld re c o rd s. seco n d m ost im p o r ta n t 12 fa rm s was to ta s k k eep h e r d and M a rk e tin g in f o r m a t i o n was im p o r ta n t on two o f th e f a r m s . C o n s id e r a b le tim e was spent on l e a r n i n g a b o u t m ic ro c o m p u te rs and t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n to th e fa rm , and l e a r n i n g how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and th e g ro u p of s o ftw a re . fa rm e rs s a le s p e rs o n L e a rn in g o p p o r t u n i t i e s in c l u d e d : q u e s tio n s s e lf-in s tru c tio n a tte n d in g a f t e r th e m a n u a ls a t h a t w ere im p o r ta n t c la s s ; s a l e ; t e a c h in g and u s e r m a n u a ls t h a t a s k in g th e to th is co m p u ter th e m s e lv e s by u s in g th e came w ith th e h a rd w a re and s o f t w a r e ; and m aking u s e o f o n - l i n e a s s i s t a n c e from th e company who s o ld th e s o f t w a r e . V ery l i t t l e firs t o w n e r s h ip . two y e a r s of expanded co m p u ter u s e i n money was s p e n t f o r l e a r n i n g d u r in g th e The p a r t i c i p a n t s t h e i r fa rm in g o p e r a t i o n s , id e n tifie d g o a ls fo r and had i d e a s a b o u t 81 fu tu re g o a ls . c o m p u ter t r a i n i n g needs and how th e y p referred to re a c h th e ir The C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e , v o c a t i o n a l t e c h n i c a l s c h o o l s , fo c u s e d c o m p u ter u s e r g ro u p s a p p e a r t o h av e a r o l e to p la y i n e n a b lin g fa rm e r s to i n c r e a s e co m p u te r k n ow ledge and s k i l l . CHAPTER V Summary, C o n c lu s io n s , and I m p l i c a t i o n s In tro d u c tio n The le a r n in g p u rp o s e of th is a c tiv itie s s tu d y c a rrie d was to e x p lo r e m ic ro c o m p u te r o u t b y 12 f a r m e r s who h a v e m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e them i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . o f th e s tu d y was to i n v e s t i g a t e in th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s ' d e s ire d re la te d b u s in e s s e s . 1. What d e s c rib e to u s in g The p rim a ry f o c u s th e l e a r n i n g e x p e r ie n c e s and a c t i v i t i e s q u e s t f o r k n o w led g e, s k i l l d e v e lo p m e n t, and e f f e c t i v e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n p u rp o s e was to re la te d th e t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . p re fe rre d ty p e s of le a rn in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s u c c e s s f u l l y A seco n d th a t in fa r m e r s th e ir farm T h ere w ere t h r e e b ro a d a r e a s o f i n q u i r y i n t h i s s tu d y : le a rn in g a c t i v i t i e s have fa rm e rs, who h av e m ic ro c o m p u te rs , en g ag ed i n to a c q u i r e th e s k i l l s and k n ow ledge r e q u i r e d to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r f o r t h e i r farm b u s in e s s ? 2. How do fa rm e rs p re fe r to le a rn to in c re a s e th e ir know ledge and s k i l l s i n th e u se o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s ? 3. What ty p e s o f e d u c a t i o n a l s u p p o r t do f a r m e r s n eed to i n c r e a s e t h e i r u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s in e s s ? The f o llo w in g a s s u m p tio n s w ere made i n t h i s s tu d y a b o u t th e f a rm e rs who own and s u c c e s s fu lly u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs in th e ir farm b u s in e s s . These f a r m e r s a r e : - i n d i v i d u a l s who p e r c e i v e s h o rtly a fte r th e th e m s e lv e s a s a d o p tin g new te c h n o lo g ie s in tro d u c tio n te c h n o lo g ie s ; 82 and a v a ila b ility of th e new 83 - in d iv id u a ls who have d e v o te d tim e to le a rn in g about th e a p p l i c a t i o n and u s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs to t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s ; - i n d i v i d u a l s who h a v e s o u g h t l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s from a v a r i e t y o f so u rces; - i n d i v i d u a l s who a r e in v o lv e d i n a num ber o f l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s each year and seek out le a rn in g o p p o rtu n itie s re la te d to m ic r o c o m p u te r s ; - i n d i v i d u a l s who c a n and do l e a r n from a v a r i e t y o f e d u c a tio n a l o p p o rtu n itie s . T h is c h a p te r im p lic a tio n s th a t p re s e n ts can be a summary o f th e draw n from th e fin d in g s , s tu d y . c o n c lu s io n s and R ecom m endations fo r f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h on l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s f o r f a r m e r s a r e a l s o i n c l u d e d . Summary o f F in d in g s T h is s tu d y r e g a r d in g th e l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s o f 12 M ic h ig a n f a r m e rs who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e them i n t h e i r farm b u s in e s s re s u lte d in s e v e r a l m a jo r fin d in g s . The firs t fin d in g is th a t th e s e fa r m e r s h av e a d o p te d new te c h n o lo g ie s s h o r t l y a f t e r th e i n t r o d u c t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y o f new t e c h n o l o g i e s . adopt th e re s p e c tiv e m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y n e ig h b o rh o o d s . These s e v e r a l o t h e r new te c h n o lo g ie s i n m ic ro c o m p u te r. Newly a d o p te d p a r t i c i p a n t s i n c lu d e d : c o n s e r v a t io n o p ti o n s They w ere e i t h e r th e f i r s t f a r m e r to an d tilla g e g ro w in g or one fa rm e rs of hav e th e a d o p te d firs t in th e ir and are u s in g t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n s a s w e ll a s th e te c h n o lo g ie s m e n tio n e d by th e 12 s tu d y s p e c i f i c ty p e s o f new d a i r y h o u s in g s y s te m s ; new m e th o d s ; c ro p s d i r e c t m a rk e tin g in a g re e n to h o u se a p a c k e r ; com m odity u s in g h y d ro p o n ic s 84 te c h n o lo g y . e v a l u a te d These 12 s t u d y p a r t i c i p a n t s em erg in g new t e c h n o l o g i e s in d ic a te d t h a t th e y c a r e f u l l y in r e la tio n s h ip to th e ir p o te n tia l a p p l i c a t i o n and s u c c e s s w i t h i n t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n b e f o r e a d o p t io n . The seco n d m a jo r f i n d i n g in fo rm a tio n , about th e and a p p lic a tio n b u s in e s s e s . le a rn in g e ffo rts The s tu d y c e n t e r s on th e s o u r c e s o f co m m itted by th e and s tu d y e x p e r ie n c e s of th is to use of th e p a rtic ip a n ts p r o v id e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s m ic ro c o m p u te r p a rtic ip a te d th e m s e lv e s w ith in in p ro g ram s per y e a r d u r in g th e year le a rn th e ir a v a rie ty farm of in f o r m a tio n a b o u t th e a p p l i c a t i o n o f c o m p u ter te c h n o lo g y t o t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . o f m ic ro c o m p u te r ow ners p a r t i c i p a t e d to T h is g ro u p i n an a v e r a g e o f f i v e e d u c a t i o n a l p r e v io u s to th e s tu d y . They a l s o s o u g h t o u t a s s i s t a n c e from a v a r i e t y o f s o u r c e s to h e l p them i n l e a r n i n g about h a rd w a re m ic ro c o m p u te r. w ith a d u lt s p o n s o re d and s o f tw a r e T h is in c l u d e d : c h ild re n ; p ro g ra m s ; p rio r th e r e a d in g m a g a z in e s ; q u e s tio n in g c o n ta c tin g to CES s ta ff co m p u ter p u rc h a se h o ld in g m em bers; s a le s p erso n s of th e d is c u s s io n s a tte n d in g and CES a tte n d in g a g r i c u l t u r e t r a d e shows and c o n f e r e n c e s . The th ird m a jo r fin d in g a c c e s s e d /u s e d se v e ra l so u rc e s f o llo w in g th e p u rc h a se of R esp o n se s to se v e ra l in d iv id u a ls a t te n d e d th e ir q u e s tio n s was to th a t th e p r o v id e s tu d y tra in in g and m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re p o in te d m ic ro c o m p u te r out c la s s e s th is p a rtic ip a n ts i n f o r m a tio n and s o ftw a re . c o n c lu sio n . s p o n so re d by th e Some co m p u ter s t o r e t h a t s o ld them th e h a r d w a r e ; s e v e r a l a t te n d e d c l a s s e s s p o n so re d by th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e ; o r e n r o l l e d i n a v o c a t i o n a l t e c h n i c a l s c h o o l c l a s s ; some s o u g h t o n - l i n e a s s i s t a n c e and o t h e r s c a l l e d on an a d u l t so n o r d a u g h te r f o r a s s i s t a n c e . H ow ever, th e common th r e a d 85 in ea c h in s ta n c e was th a t a ll p a rtic ip a n ts c o n s is te n tly re lie d m ost h e a v i l y on th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g g u id e s and u s e r m a n u a ls t h a t a r e p r o v id e d b y th e co m p an ies t h a t s o ld them t h e i r h a rd w a re and s o f t w a r e . A fo u rth p a rtic ip a te d firs t two m a jo r fin d in g is th a t th e 12 i n a num ber o f l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s y e a rs of o w n e rs h ip of th e ir p a rtic ip a n ts each y e a r . m ic ro c o m p u te rs h av e D u rin g th e some of th e s e fa r m e r s a t t e n d e d c l a s s e s on m ic r o c o m p u te r s ; p a r t i c i p a t e d i n s e m in a r s i n o th e r tr a d e s ta te s ; a tte n d e d tr a d e sh o w s; a tte n d e d com m odity o rg a n iz a tio n shows and c o n f e r e n c e s ; r e a d co m p u ter m a g a z in e s and farm co m p u tin g n e w s l e t t e r s ; s o u g h t day to d ay a s s i s t a n c e from th e c o m p u ter s t o r e s a l e s p e r s o n s , and o n - l i n e a s s i s t a n c e from th e s o f tw a r e com pany; an d a t te n d e d s p e c i a l i z e d c o m p u te r e d u c a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s s p o n s o re d b y th e C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v i c e . A f i f t h m a jo r f i n d i n g i s t h a t th e s e f a r m e r s h av e p r e f e r r e d h a n d s on tra in in g in le a rn in g at a c o m p u ter home u s in g la b o ra to ry th e in s tru c tio n asked w hat at tim e best th e th e y w ere o f f e r e d . ta k e m ore is of and user m ic ro c o m p u te r m a n u als They b e l i e v e t h a t l e a r n i n g a c c o m p lis h e d le v e l s e lf-d ire c te d s e lf-te a c h in g o th e r in s tr u c tio n a l a p p ro a c h e s. m ic ro c o m p u te r and th e v ia h a n d s -o n le a rn e r. w ould do d i f f e r e n t l y in w ith r e s p o n d e n ts se v e ra l th a n to u s e th e e x p e rie n c e s When th e le a rn in g , more w ere s u g g e s tio n s P ro m in e n t among w hich was th e s u g g e s tio n t h a t th e y w ould to e x p lo r e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e p rio r to m aking t h e i r d e c i s i o n a b o u t th e p u r c h a s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. Among e d u c a t i o n a l a id s are a v a ila b le w ere a sk e d to to id e n tify o p p o rtu n itie s e n h an c e th a t th e l e a r n i n g le a rn in g a id s and e x is t to d a y , p ro c e ss. s itu a tio n s many t e a c h in g When r e s p o n d e n ts th a t th e y w ould 86 p re fe r, th e y in d ic a te d m ic ro c o m p u te r, th a t c la s s ro o m in s tru c tio n w ith s e l f - t e a c h i n g m a n u a ls and o n e -o n -o n e a s s i s t a n c e e x p e r ie n c e d p e rso n w ould be p a rtic ip a n ts in d ic a te d and l e a r n i n g o p p o rtu n itie s . th e ir p re fe re n c e s. a w illin g n e s s A ll of th e from an th e s tu d y to p ay f o r m ic ro c o m p u te r t r a i n i n g They i n d i c a t e d t h a t th e y would b e w i l l i n g to p ay m ore p e r h o u r f o r l e a r n i n g a c t i v i t i e s t h a t p ro v id e d m ore p e r s o n a l a s s i s t a n c e and h a n d s -o n e x p e r i e n c e . A s ix th d e s ire d by fin d in g th e p a rtic ip a n ts re la te s tw e lv e in d ic a te d s tu d y th a t to th e fu tu re p a rtic ip a n ts . th e y d e s i r e le a rn in g Ten o f fu rth e r o p p o rtu n itie s th e tw e lv e s tu d y le a rn in g o p p o rtu n itie s th ro u g h su c h a c t i v i t i e s a s j o i n i n g a m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p , ta k in g a c la s s a n d /o r s u b s c rib in g m ic ro c o m p u te rs . to new m a g a z in e s or jo u rn a ls on Ten s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s i n d i c a t e d th e y w ould be w i l l i n g to pay f o r m ic ro c o m p u te r i n s t r u c t i o n and w ould be w i l l i n g to d e v o te from one to f o u r h o u r s p e r week o v e r a one y e a r p e r io d o f tim e i n c o m p u te rre la te d le a rn in g p r e v io u s two a c tiv itie s . e x p e r ie n c e m a jo r w ith c rite ria th e u se d a The q u a l i t y by num ber s p o n s o r in g o f in f o r m a tio n p r o v id e d and o rg a n iz a tio n /tra in e r p a rtic ip a n ts o p tio n s . A lth o u g h of s u g g e s te d , one t o p i c was m e n tio n e d by f i v e in a d d itio n a l e v a lu a tin g to p ic s fo r w ere th e e d u c a tio n a l tra in in g o f th e p a r t i c i p a n t s . w ere T hese p a r t i c i p a n t s w an ted t r a i n i n g i n th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f t e m p l a t e s . A s e v e n th f in d in g was th e s u b s ta n tia l in te re s t of p a r t i c i p a n t s i n h a v in g o r g a n iz e d m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g r o u p s . n in e of th e F iv e o f th e s i x p a r t i c i p a n t s who h av e had e x p e r ie n c e i n a m ic ro c o m p u te r g ro u p f e l t th a t th is e x p e r ie n c e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re was and h e lp fu l s o ftw a re . to them They in le a rn in g re p o rte d more h a v in g about p o s itiv e 87 e x p e rie n c e s s o f tw a r e , w ith user g ro u p s and h av e r e c e iv e d b a s ic i n f o r m a tio n on s e e n d e m o n s tr a tio n s o f c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e s o f tw a r e , and b e e n p r o v id e d w ith o p p o r t u n i t i e s to ex ch an g e i d e a s , in f o r m a tio n and s o f tw a r e a p p lic a tio n s fo r th e fa n n th r o u g h p a rtic ip a tio n in user g ro u p m e e tin g s . C o n c lu s io n s S even m a jo r c o n c l u s i o n s can be draw n from t h i s s tu d y o f f a r m e r s who own and s u c c e s s fu lly use th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s . T hese c o n c l u s i o n s f o llo w a s th e n a t u r a l c o n se q u e n c e o f th e f i n d i n g s j u s t d e s c r ib e d and s u p p o r t th e b a s ic a s s u m p tio n s s e t fo rth e a rlie r in th is s tu d y . C o n c lu s io n Number 1 : The m a j o r i t y o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s a re e a r l y a d o p t e r s o f new te c h n o lo g ie s r e l a t e d to t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n s . T h is c o n c lu s io n te c h n o lo g ie s fa rm s. and suggest assum e th a t ris k s The m ic ro c o m p u te r i s th e in s tu d y a p p ly in g in th e ir e v a l u a t e new new t e c h n o lo g ie s to th e ir a new te c h n o lo g y t h a t i s b e in g a p p l ie d to th e farm b u s in e s s f o r a v a r i e t y o f r e a s o n s . m ic ro c o m p u te r p a rtic ip a n ts b u s in e s s e s fo r S tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s u sed th e a c c o m p lis h in g th e f o llo w in g p u rp o ses: f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d s ; e n t e r p r i s e r e c o r d s ; c a s h flo w p r o j e c t i o n s ; m a rk e tin g a n a ly s is b u s in e s s ; fie ld p a rtic ip a n ts b u s in e s s a llo w e d and h e rd fe lt th a t d e c isio n s them to and re c o rd s; fin a n c ia l a n a ly sis and lo n g ra n g e p l a n n in g . th e m ic ro c o m p u te r h e lp e d th a n make in f o r m a tio n ; w ould o th e r w is e d e c isio n s based th e ir The s tu d y them make b e t t e r be m ade. on more of farm The m ic ro c o m p u te r c o m p le te and d e ta ile d in f o r m a tio n and e n a b le d them to a c c e s s t h i s i n f o r m a tio n r a t h e r e a s i l y . 88 The p a r t i c i p a n t s p e r c e iv e d th e m s e lv e s a s one o f th e f i r s t fa rm e rs i n t h e i r n e ig h b o rh o o d t o a d o p t m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y and ack n o w led ged a d o p tin g a b ro a d ra n g e o f o th e r s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t i d e n t i f i e d new farm re la te d te c h n o lo g ie s . Each a t l e a s t t h r e e new p r o d u c tio n t e c h n o lo g ie s t h a t th e y h ad a d o p te d i n t h e i r farm o p e r a t i o n i n r e c e n t y e a r s . C o n c lu s io n Number 2 : a v a rie ty of le a rn in g The tw e lv e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s p a r t i c i p a t e d i n e x p e rie n c e s p rio r to th e p u rc h a s e of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. The 12 s o u r c e s to s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts sought out a v a rie ty of in f o r m a tio n l e a r n a b o u t th e p o t e n t i a l a p p l i c a t i o n s o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r to t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . o r f ir m s w ere l i s t e d A lth o u g h a num ber o f a g e n c i e s , o r g a n i z a t i o n s a s c o n t a c t p o i n t s p r i o r to th e co m p u ter p u r c h a s e , no one s o u r c e s t a n d s o u t a s th e p rim a ry o r m ost p r e f e r r e d s o u r c e o f p r e ­ p u r c h a s e i n f o r m a tio n f o r th o s e s e e k in g a g r i c u l t u r a l and d e c i s i o n m aking co m p u ter te c h n o lo g y i n f o r m a t i o n . C o n c lu s io n Number 3 : to sev eral so u rc e s Each o f th e tw e lv e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s lo o k e d fo r m ic ro c o m p u te r f o llo w in g a s s is ta n c e th e in p u rch ase le a rn in g how to u se th e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o f tw a r e and th e s e s o u r c e s v a r i e d from p e r s o n to p e r s o n . The s tu d y so u rces. a g e n c ie s , p a rtic ip a n ts They d id not o rg a n iz a tio n s a n d /o r s k ills in te c h n o lo g y th e ir farm c la s s sought on m ic ro c o m p u tin g , a s s is ta n c e from a s s is ta n c e c o n s is te n tly know ledge and to sought th e f ir m s use lo o k fo r th e ir one a s s is ta n c e and a p p l i c a t i o n b u s in e s s e s . re a d at from farm a d u lt of se v e ra l or in two p a rtic u la r b u ild in g a t te n d e d co m p u ter m a g a z in e s and c h ild re n . A ll th e ir th e m ic ro c o m p u te r S e v e ra l p a r ti c ip a n ts and d iffe re n t s tu d y a o th e rs p a rtic ip a n ts 89 u se d th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g and u s e r g u id e s t h a t came w ith th e m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o f tw a r e m ore th a n an y o th e r m eans to in c re a s e th e ir know ledge and s k i l l i n u s in g th e m ic ro c o m p u te r. C o n c lu s io n Number 4: The tw e lv e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts are s e lf­ d i r e c t e d l e a r n e r s who s o u g h t o u t a v a r i e t y o f l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s and whose l e a r n i n g d epended d i r e c t l y on t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s t o a c c e s s e x i s t i n g le a rn in g o p p o rtu n itie s . P a r t i c i p a n t s w ere i n c h a rg e o f t h e i r le a rn in g and to o k s t e p s to d i s c o v e r who and w hat c o u ld a s s i s t them i n g a i n in g th e know ledge and s k i l l s n ee d e d to i n c o r p o r a t e th e co m p u ter i n t o t h e i r farm o p e ra tio n s . T h is c o n c lu s io n is b a se d on in f o r m a tio n and d a ta draw n from p a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e i r d e s c r i p t i o n o f th e m eth o d s th e y u se d and r e s o u r c e s ta p p e d to in c re a s e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s know ledge and s k ills in m ic ro c o m p u te r u s a g e . The r e l i e d m ost h e a v i l y on th e s e l f - t e a c h i n g g u id e s and u s e r m an u als to im prove t h e i r k n o w led g e and s k i l l l e v e l s . T here w ere a v a r i e t y o f l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h a t th e p a r t i c i p a n t s a c c e s s e d th r o u g h th e ir own e f f o r t s . m a g a z in e s ; tra d e co m p u ter and T hese show s; s o f tw a r e w e re : c la s s e s E x te n s io n s p o n s o re d s a le s p e rso n s and on m ic ro c o m p u tin g ; p ro g ra m s ; a d u lt books; d i s c u s s i o n s w ith c h ild re n of th e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts . None o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a p r e s e t c u r r ic u lu m on m ic ro c o m p u te rs t h a t had b een d e v e lo p e d by an a g e n c y , o r g a n i z a t i o n o r b u s in e s s . They a c t i v e l y sought in f o r m a tio n from so u rces and th ro u g h c h a n n e ls t h a t th e y n o r m a lly u se d f o r in f o r m a tio n g a t h e r i n g b u t d id n o t l i m i t t h e i r s e a r c h to th o s e s o u r c e s . C o n c lu sio n Number 5 ’• The a g r i c u l t u r a l m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p i s 90 v iew ed a s a d e s i r a b l e l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t y by a m a j o r i t y o f th e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts . S tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts v ie w m em bership and p a rtic ip a tio n in an a g r i c u l t u r e - r e l a t e d m ic ro c o m p u te r g ro u p a s a d e s i r a b l e a f f i l i a t i o n s i n c e th e y p e r c e iv e th is ty p e of in te rv e n tio n as a p o te n tia lly e n ric h in g l e a r n i n g e n v iro n m e n t, one i n w hich p e e r s c a n s h a r e in f o r m a tio n and l e a r n from one E x te n s io n and a n o th e r’s S e r v ic e M ich ig an in user g ro u p s o r g a n iz e d sh a re s k ills th e in E x te n s io n v a rio u s a g ric u ltu ra l w e ll in d ic a te d fa c ilita tin g m ic ro c o m p u te r a p p lic a tio n as s tu d y C o o p e ra tiv e e s ta b lis h in g , S in c e th e M ich ig an s t a f f members a r e w e ll known f o r fa c ilita tin g p a rtic ip a n ts e x p e rie n c e s . and as th a t S e r v ic e c o o rd in a tin g c o m p e te n c ie s , th e y w ould l i k e ta k e an p a rtic ip a n ts user g ro u p e x p e rie n c e s , te m p la te s , to h av e th e a c tiv e a g ric u ltu ra l m ic ro c o m p u te r i d e a s and re v ie w th e ir a g ric u ltu ra l m a in ta i n in g c o u n t i e s . The C o o p e ra tiv e th a t a llo w s o f tw a r e c o m m e rc ia lly a v a i l a b l e in m ic ro c o m p u te r fe lt w ould ro le th e them to p ro g ra m s , s o ftw a re . S e v e ra l p a r t i c i p a n t s e x p r e s s e d t h e n e e d t o be i n a p o s i t i v e l e a r n i n g e n v iro n m e n t w ith o th e r fa rm e rs and s u g g e s te d th e in f o r m a l s h a r in g of id e a s e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t t a k e s p la c e i n a g ro u p s i t u a t i o n w ould be n u r t u r i n g n o n -th re a te n in g . Some e x p re sse d a d e s ire to h av e some and and fle x ib le o r g a n i z a t i o n i n th e u s e r g ro u p so t h a t p a r t i c i p a n t s p la y e d a c t i v e r o l e s in d e te r m in in g th e program c o n te n t. T h u s, th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e r o l e w ould n o t be to p la n m e e tin g a g e n d a s and c o n t e n t but ra th e r to fa c ilita te and su p p o rt th e le a rn in g o b je c tiv e s of th e g ro u p o f s e l f - d i r e c t e d l e a r n e r s . C o n c lu s io n Number 6 : The tw e lv e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s h av e g o a l s f o r 91 e x p a n d in g th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s and te n of th e tw e lv e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts d e s ire e d u c a tio n a l o p p o rtu n itie s to a s s i s t them i n a c h i e v in g th o s e g o a l s . The s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts each id e n tifie d two or more g o a ls expanded u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s e s . id e n tifie d in c lu d e d p u r c h a s in g m anagem ent c o n c e r n ; b a la n c in g The g o a l s a d d i t i o n a l s o f tw a r e f o r a s p e c i f i c l i v e s t o c k and d a i r y fo r ra tio n s ; farm d e v e lo p in g e n t e r p r i s e f i n a n c i a l r e c o r d s ; m aking c a s h flo w p r o j e c t i o n s ; e s t a b l i s h i n g and m a in ta i n in g f i e l d r e c o r d s a n d / o r h e rd r e c o r d s ; and c o n d u c tin g m a rk e t a n a ly s is . The s tu d y a d d itio n a l use of p a rtic ip a n ts tra in in g th e p a rtic ip a n ts in in d ic a te d o rd e r to a a c h ie v e th e ir m ic ro c o m p u te r in th e ir farm s a id be w illin g to t h e y 'd p r o v id e d ea c h le a rn e r s e ttin g , th a t had a w ith s m a ll w illin g n e s s g o a ls S e v e ra l fo r h is /h e r own m ic ro c o m p u te r i n s tu d e n t to te a c h e r pay fo r f o r e x p a n d in g th e b u s in e s s . pay m ore to ra tio or tra in in g th e s tu d y th a t tra in in g tra in in g th a t p r o v id e d th e a d v a n c e d l e v e l th e y r e q u i r e d , g iv e n t h e i r p r e s e n t k n ow ledge and s k i l l l e v e l . C o n c lu s io n Humber 7 : w ere fo r m a te ria ls hands on The s t u d y p a r t i c i p a n t s ' tra in in g in a c o m p u ter le a rn in g p re fe re n c e s la b o ra to ry and e d u c a tio n a l t h a t s u p p o r t s e l f - d i r e c t e d m ic ro c o m p u te r l e a r n i n g a t th e farm a n d / o r home. The s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts know th e ir comes to g a i n i n g know ledge and s k i l l s use of s e lf-te a c h in g g u id e s and in user d e s i r a b l e way f o r i n t e n s i v e s e l f - d i r e c t e d le a rn in g p re fe re n c e s when t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . m an u als a re an o n -g o in g it S in c e and l e a r n e r s to g a in and i n c r e a s e 92 know ledg e and s k ills , h a v in g access to su c h m a te ria ls is of v ita l im p o rta n c e to th em . I n a d d i t i o n , p a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h i s s tu d y v ie w h a v in g access in to tra in in g a e s s e n t i a l and d e s i r a b l e . w e ll e q u ip p e d co m p u ter la b o ra to ry as a lso S tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s p e r c e iv e d t h a t to l e a r n how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r m o st e f f e c t i v e l y th e y n eed e d s p e c i f i c h an d s on tra in in g g u id e s to and get s ta rte d but u s e r m a n u als t o n eed ed th e re in fo rc e su p p o rt of th e s e lf-te a c h in g th e co m p u te r l a b o r a t o r y tra in in g e x p e rie n c e . Im p lic a tio n s T h e re a r e a num ber o f i m p l i c a t i o n s c o n s id e r e d by a s s is tin g a g e n c ie s , fa rm e rs b u s in e s s e s . from t h i s o rg a n iz a tio n s a p p ly th e The i m p l i c a t i o n s a n d /o r m ic ro c o m p u te r of th is s tu d y s tu d y t h a t s h o u ld be b u s in e s s e s te c h n o lo g y s h o u ld in v o lv e d to th e ir in farm hav e an im p a c t on f u t u r e d i r e c t i o n s t h a t o r g a n i z a t i o n s , a g e n c ie s a n d / o r b u s i n e s s e s who a r e or expect to H is to ric a lly , im p a c t th e th e M ich ig an m ic ro c o m p u te r C o o p e ra tiv e te c h n o lo g y E x te n s io n a d o p tio n S e r v ic e p ro c e ss. h a s p la y e d a k ey r o l e i n a s s i s t i n g f a r m e r s a d o p t new t e c h n o l o g i e s , m ost o f w hich h av e been a g r i c u l t u r a l c an and p r o d u c tio n o r i e n t e d s h o u ld be in v o lv e d in te c h n o lo g ie s . h e l p in g T h is o r g a n i z a t i o n f a rm e rs adopt c o m p u ter te c h n o lo g ie s a s w e ll. The e x te n t to w hich th e m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y is f a r m e r s w i l l d epend on th e e d u c a t i o n a l p r o c e s s e s a v a i l a b l e th e e x t e n t to w hich th e y a r e u s e d . som ewhat Those d iffe re n t from o rg a n iz a tio n s p r o d u c ti o n p ro m o tin g a d o p te d to by them and The m ic ro c o m p u te r a s a te c h n o lo g y i s t e c h n o lo g ie s and s u p p o r tin g a d o p te d th e in th e a d o p tio n p a s t. of 93 m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y on fa rm s w i l l need to s tu d y c a r e f u l l y th e n e e d s o f th e f a r m e r s and d e te r m in e th e p r o c e s s e s n e c e s s a r y f o r th e i n d i v i d u a l fa rm e rs to s u c c e s s fu lly adopt and in te g ra te m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y i n t o t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . A d e ta ile d d is c u s s io n of fo u r im p lic a tio n s of th is re searc h th a t th e M ich ig an fo llo w s . The firs t C o o p e ra tiv e te c h n o lo g y o th e r im p lic a tio n E x te n s io n and th a t h av e S e r v ic e d e te r m in e te c h n o lo g ie s been of th a t th e s tu d y needs to fa rm e rs h av e is exam ine s im ila ritie s s u c c e s s fu lly E x te n s io n S e r v ic e th is to a n d /o r a d o p te d . p ra c tic e d by th e d iffe re n c e s Program th e to d i f f u s e o t h e r a g r i c u l t u r e m ic ro c o m p u te r from m e th o d o lo g ie s M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e te c h n o lo g ie s may n o t be a p p l i c a b l e i n th e c a s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y . In hav e th e past a s s is te d c a re fu lly M ich ig an fa rm e rs p la n n e d re la te d and o th e rs d e m o n s t r a tio n s , e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ra m s . and a d o p te d to f i t C o o p e r a tiv e a d o p t io n . S e r v ic e e n u m e ra te d It and is o th e r fie ld new days, s t a f f members te c h n o lo g ie s to u r s and th ro u g h d ire c te d t h e i r farm s i t u a t i o n s h av e b een p r i m a r i l y p r o d u c tio n M icro co m p u ter m anagem ent te c h n o lo g y ; a s su c h i t ju s t adopt S e r v ic e The new te c h n o lo g ie s t h a t f a rm e rs h av e m o d ifie d te c h n o lo g ie s . m eth o d s E x te n s io n may e s s e n tia l a g e n c ie s is not th a t te c h n o lo g y le s s be th e in te re s te d is p rim a rily a o b v io u s and v i s i b l e , and th e e ffe c tiv e M ich ig an in in b r in g i n g C o o p e ra tiv e in c re a s in g th e about E x te n s io n a d o p tio n of co m p u te r te c h n o lo g y a s a farm m anagem ent t o o l g iv e c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n to th e p r o c e s s e s and m e th o d o lo g ie s u sed to g a in a c c e p ta n c e o f o t h e r new a n d /o r d iffe re n t m anagem ent te c h n iq u e s and s tra te g ie s . These would 94 appear to be more te c h n o lo g ie s . a k in The to m ic ro c o m p u te r a s s u m p tio n h e re is te c h n o lo g y th a t th a n m ost p r o d u c tio n changes in farm m anagem ent p r a c t i c e s a r e n o t d e f in e d a s t e c h n o l o g i e s . The seco n d im p lic a tio n of th is s tu d y is th e need of th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s t o b u i l d a n e tw o rk w ith o t h e r f a r m e r s who a r e m ic ro c o m p u te r u se rs. T h is im p lic a tio n ste m s from th e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts ' acknow led g m en t t h a t th e y d o n 't know n e ig h b o r s o r many o t h e r f a r m e r s who a r e u s in g m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . The m a j o r i t y o f th e s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s e x p r e s s e d i n t e r e s t i n b e in g a p a r t o f a m ic ro c o m p u te r user g ro u p . b r id g e The th is fa rm e r/a g ric u ltu ra l g ap and f i l l th e v o id m ic ro c o m p u te r id e n tifie d . e x c h a n g in g id e a s , g ro u p would The s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s saw th e m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r g ro u p a s an a p p r o p r i a t e new k n o w le d g e , user fo rm a t f o r g a in in g te m p la te s and e x p e r i e n c e s , in c re a s in g s k i l l s and p r o v id in g an o p p o r t u n i t y to re v ie w m ic ro c o m p u te r s o f tw a r e . The M ich ig an h e l p in g C o o p e r a tiv e f a r m e r s who u s e and ro le , w ould c o u ld th e ir s y s te m . re s id e p la y a ro le in farm b u s in e s s e s to I f th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e th e n e tw o rk s h o u ld be c o n f ig u r e d s e lf-s u s ta in in g m anagem ent S e r v ic e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n n e tw o rk v i a a u s e r g ro u p . assum es t h i s E x te n s io n w ith The th e m a jo r user ro le g ro u p as a s e lf-d ire c te d fo r th e m em bers. user The g ro u p M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e and o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s s e r v in g th e fa rm e r m ic ro c o m p u te r re so u rc e user p ro v id e rs . g ro u p w ould th e n se rv e Such a n e tw o rk in g sy ste m as fa c ilita to rs would c l e a r l y a n d /o r p la c e th e fa rm e r m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r s i n th e l e a d e r s h i p r o l e . The re s u ltin g m ic ro c o m p u te r u sers n e tw o rk in g to o b ta in sy stem d e s ire d would in f o r m a tio n a s s is t and th e e n a b le fa rm e r them to 95 le a rn from o t h e r f a r m e r s who h av e c o n f r o n te d s i m i l a r p ro b le m s . Thus a need i d e n t i f i e d by s tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s w ould be m e t. The th ird im p lic a tio n of th is s tu d y is th a t th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s h o u ld e s t a b l i s h a s y ste m f o r i d e n t i f y i n g e d u c a t i o n a l n e e d s o f f a r m e r s who a r e e x p l o r i n g th e p o s s i b l e p u r c h a s e o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs as a s s is ta n c e o rd er in w e ll as to th o s e who a c h ie v e d e s ire g o a ls fo r fu rth e r e d u c a tio n a l expanded u se of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r b u s i n e s s e s . A d v is o ry g ro u p s do n o t now e x i s t i n th e S e r v ic e to p r o v id e in p u t c o n c e rn in g M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e e d u c a tio n a l needs of E x te n s io n fa rm e rs re la te d to co m p u ter a d o p tio n and im p le m e n ta tio n . C l i e n t e l e i n p u t th r o u g h a d v i s o r y g ro u p s a t v a r i o u s l e v e l s h av e been in v a lu a b le to th e M ich ig a n C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e in p la n n in g p ro g ra m s and d e v e lo p in g e d u c a t i o n a l m a t e r i a l s ; t h e r e f o r e e s t a b l i s h i n g an a d v i s o r y s t r u c t u r e t a r g e t e d a t n e e d s a s s e s s m e n t o f c o m p u ter u s e r s , would a p p e a r to be a u s e f u l a d j u n c t to E x te n s io n p ro g ram m in g . W hile some o f th o s e s e r v i n g on o t h e r a d v i s o r y c o m m itte e s /c o u n c ils may b e i n t e r e s t e d i n and u s e c o m p u ter te c h n o lo g y , th is te c h n o lo g y would a p p e a r to h av e i t s own s p e c i a l i z e d c o n s t i t u e n c y and d e s e r v e a n o p p o r t u n i t y to v o ic e i t s own n e e d s and c o n c e r n s . in v o lv e d in th e S tu d y p a r t i c i p a n t s d e v e lo p m e n t of in d ic a te d an i n t e r e s t i n b e in g e d u c a tio n a l o p p o rtu n itie s fo r m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r s so w ould a p p e a r to be r e c e p t i v e to an o p p o r t u n i t y to p a r t i c i p a t e in an a d v is o ry c a p a c ity . A co m p u te r a d v i s o r y g ro u p c o u ld p r o v id e u s e f u l i n p u t s sev eral s tu d y . o th e r T hese e d u c a tio n a l needs needs in c lu d e : id e n tifie d id e n tify in g by re la tiv e p a rtic ip a n ts ways to access in to th is co m p u ter 96 a s s is ta n c e in a fte r e v a lu a tin g th e p u r c h a s e o f h a rd w a re and s o f t w a r e ; o b t a i n i n g h e lp s o f tw a r e d e v e lo p in g e n t e r p r i s e on th e s p e c ific m a rk e t and g a i n in g a s s is ta n c e in te m p la t e s o r m o d ify in g e x i s t i n g o n es f o r s p e c i a l i z e d / u n i q u e farm b u s i n e s s n e e d s . th a t The M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e h a s d e v e lo p e d s o f tw a r e is th e m o st p a r t s o ld c lie n te le to in p u t fa rm e rs; u n til fo r a fte r th e s o f tw a r e th is has s o f tw a r e h a s n o t had b een fu lly d e v e lo p e d . T here h a s n o t b e e n a sy ste m to re s p o n d to p ro b lem s a n d / o r q u e s t i o n s t h a t p u r c h a s e r s o f th e s o f tw a r e may h av e h a d . A c o m p u ter a d v i s o r y co m m ittee c o u ld p r o v id e a m eans to c o n f r o n t t h e s e c o n c e rn s and p e rh a p s im p a c t them in a p o s itiv e C o o p e ra tiv e c o m p u ter m an n er. E x te n s io n tra in in g , Such a S e r v ic e te m p la te co m m ittee so rt out c o u ld its d e v e lo p m e n t, u ser h e lp th e p rio ritie s g ro u p s, M ich ig an re la tiv e user to a s s is ta n c e and s o f tw a r e d e v e lo p m e n t. In in v e s t e d re c e n t y e a rs th e re s o u rc e s in a g ric u ltu ra l d e c re a s in g C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n th e d e v e lo p m e n t and d i s t r i b u t i o n s o f tw a r e or M ich ig an p ro g ra m s . lim ite d re so u rc e s o rg a n iz a tio n en g ag e th is in p la c e a s o f tw a r e ? h ig h use o f a v a ila b le p rio rity on or P a rtic ip a n ts in th is in d ic a te a s o f tw a r e w hich th e y feel th a t th e How many Are M ich ig an p ro g ra m s? p referen c e fo r Do th e y MSU c r e a t e d s tu d y d id n o t seem to w ant n o r do th e y a p p e a r to u s e a w ide v a r i e t y o f co m p u te r s o f tw a r e p a c k a g e s . to a tim e o f a c tiv ity ? d i f f e r e n t s o f tw a r e p ro g ra m s do M ich ig an f a rm e rs w a n t/n e e d ? fa rm e r s m aking e x t e n s i v e has o f a num ber o f S h o u ld th e in S e r v ic e M ic h ig a n C o o p e ra tiv e The e x t e n t E x te n s io n S e r v ic e s h o u ld be c r e a t i n g s o f tw a r e i s u n c l e a r . B ased on t h i s s tu d y t h e r e i s r e a s o n to v iew te m p la te d e v elo p m en t a s 97 an a r e a o f n e e d t h a t th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e may w ant to a d d re ss. P a rtic ip a n ts in d ic a te d th a t m ost c o m m e rc ia lly a v a ila b le s o f tw a r e w ith w hich th e y w ere f a m i l i a r d id n o t m eet th e n e e d s o f t h e i r s p e c ific e n te rp ris e s . They e x p r e s s e d an i n t e r e s t i n l e a r n i n g to d e v e lo p t h e i r own t e m p l a t e s . A fo u rth im p lic a tio n in th is s tu d y is th e n eed f o r th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e to more c l e a r l y d e f i n e i t s to th e m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y and th e q u e s tio n s a re set E x te n s io n S e r v ic e fo rth as th e ro le s r e la tiv e farm b u s i n e s s . The f o llo w in g f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n by th e M ich ig an C o o p e r a tiv e o r g a n i z a t i o n c o n s i d e r s f u t u r e program m ing and re so u rc e a llo c a tio n s : 1. Does th e M ich ig an in fra s tru c tu re C o o p e ra tiv e and e x p e r ie n c e E x te n s io n to S e r v ic e h av e th e d e v e lo p , m a rk e t and s e r v i c e c o m p u ter s o f tw a r e ? 2. S hould th e M ich ig an w rite and d is trib u te o rg a n iz a tio n a s s is t C o o p e r a tiv e E x te n s io n m ic ro c o m p u te r th e p riv a te S e r v ic e s o f tw a r e , s e c to r in or th e d e v e lo p , s h o u ld th e d e v e lo p m e n t, m a r k e tin g and s e r v i c i n g o f s o f tw a r e f o r M ich ig an f a r m e r s ? 3» How m ig h t a lo n e th e M ich ig an o r w ith o t h e r s C o o p e r a tiv e fa c ilita te E x te n s io n S e r v ic e e ith e r d e v e lo p m e n t o f m ic ro c o m p u te r u s e r n e tw o rk s f o r f a r m e r s ? 4* S hould th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e fa c ilita te th e d ev e lo p m e n t o f e d u c a t i o n a l p ro g ram s f o r and l i n k a g e s w ith s o f tw a r e co m p an ies? 5. S hould le a d th e to M ich ig an fa c ilita te C o o p e ra tiv e d ev e lo p m e n t E x te n s io n of S e r v ic e c o m p re h e n siv e ta k e th e co m p u ter 98 re la te d e d u c a tio n a l p ro g ram s fo r fa rm e rs u tiliz in g th e r e s o u r c e s o f s e v e r a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s su c h a com m unity c o l l e g e s , v o c a tio n a l te c h n ic a l s c h o o ls , co m m u n ity -b ased a d u l t e d u c a tio n p ro g ram s and m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re and s o f tw a r e co m p an ies? 6. W ill th e be th e e d u c a t i o n a l n e e d s o f f a r m e r s who a r e e a r l y a d o p t e r s same a s te c h n o lo g y th o s e at C o o p e r a tiv e a who ch o o se la te r E x te n s io n to tim e ? S e r v ic e adopt How best th e m ic ro c o m p u te r m ig h t a s s is t th e M ich ig an fa rm e rs in b o th g ro u p s i f d i f f e r e n c e s b etw ee n th e two e x i s t ? These q u e s t i o n s s tu d y w ill a d o p tio n h av e and c la rific a tio n and a d d i t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s beyond th e sc o p e o f t h i s to be a d d r e s s e d use of of th e by th o s e m ic ro c o m p u te r ro le s th a t o rg a n iz a tio n s te c h n o lo g y th e M ich ig an p ro m o tin g by fa rm e rs. C o o p e r a tiv e th e A E x te n s io n S e r v ic e c a n and w i l l assum e w i l l be an im p o r ta n t f i r s t s t e p i n a s s i s t i n g o th e r o rg a n iz a tio n s id e n tify and assum e th e ir c o r r e s p o n d in g and co m p lem e n tin g r o l e s . B ecau se o f th e dynam ic n a t u r e o f th e e v o lv in g c o m p u ter te c h n o lo g y a v a ila b le to fa rm e rs, o rg a n iz a tio n s su c h a s b o th th e k e e p c o m m u n ica tio n l i n e s in d iv id u a l M ich ig an u se rs C o o p e ra tiv e w h ile th e gap b e tw e e n c o n s id e r a b le te c h n o lo g y te c h n o lo g y re se a rc h a d o p t io n , e d u c a tio n a l E x te n s io n su p p o rt S e r v ic e m ust open so t h a t n e e d s a r e e x p r e s s e d and p ro g ram s d e v e lo p e d and m o d ifie d a s c h a n g e s o c c u r . s h o r te n i n g and le s s has is b een known T h ere i s d e v e lo p m e n t done about g ro w in g i n t e r e s t i n and re la tiv e th e a d o p t io n , and to p r o d u c tio n co m p u ter te c h n o lo g y a d o p tio n s c e n a r i o . C o n s e q u e n tly , m o n ito r in g i n f o r m a tio n t r a n s f e r a n d / o r a d o p tio n is lite ra tu re im p e ra tiv e . T h is s tu d y c le a rly p o in ts o u t th e 99 n eed fo r th e M ich ig an C o o p e ra tiv e E x te n s io n S e r v ic e to ta k e on th e c h a l le n g e s t h a t co m p u ter te c h n o lo g y f o r th e farm e n t e r p r i s e p o s e . R ecom m endations f o r F u tu r e R e s e a rc h T h is s tu d y r a i s e d a d d i t i o n a l q u e s ti o n s f o r f u t u r e research . They a re : 1. To w hat e x t e n t w ould f i n d i n g s and c o n c lu s io n s s tu d y w ere c o n d u c te d w ith d iffe r if th e f a r m e r s i n o t h e r M ich ig an c o u n t i e s a n d /o r o th e r s ta t e s ? 2. To w hat e x t e n t is th e fa r m e r m ic ro c o m p u te r user g ro u p an e f f e c t i v e t o o l f o r f a rm e rs to g a in know ledge and s k i l l s i n th e a p p lic a tio n of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y to th e ir farm b u s in e s s e s ? 3. Why a r e some f a r m e r s who p u rc h a s e d m ic ro c o m p u te rs to u se i n th e farm b u s i n e s s n o t u s in g them ? 4. To w hat e x t e n t a re le a rn in g needs of e a rly a d o p te rs of th e m ic ro c o m p u te r te c h n o lo g y th e same o r d i f f e r e n t from th o s e who adopt la te r ? 5* What is th e e ffe c tiv e n e s s of u s in g two or more d iffe re n t l e a r n i n g s y ste m s to te a c h f a r m e r s how to u s e th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s ? APPENDICES Appendix A The le a rn in g p u rp o s e of a c tiv itie s th is s tu d y o f a s e le c te d fa r m e r s who own m ic ro c o m p u te rs . th is s tu d y w ill a c tiv itie s of m ic ro c o m p u te r fo c u s w ill be be th e ir to to in farm d e s c rib e e x p lo r e g ro u p th e ir o f M ichigan th e le a rn in g u se of b u s in e s s . th e th e The p rim a ry fo c u s o f in v e s tig a tin g fa rm e rs in is ty p e s th e A s e c o n d a ry of p re fe rre d l e a r n i n g a s s o c i a t e d w ith i n c r e a s i n g th e l e v e l o f u sag e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n farm b u s i n e s s e s . I s tu d y u n d e r s ta n d as a p a rt U n iv e rs ity . th a t th e in f o r m a tio n o f Thomas L. I g iv e T h o r b u m 's w ill be u sed fo r a re se a rc h d o c t o r a l program a t M ich ig an S t a t e I u n d e r s ta n d t h a t I am v o l u n t e e r i n g my ti m e , one to two h o u r s , to ta k e p a r t i n th e s tu d y and t h a t I may w ith d ra w o r d e c l i n e to p a r t i c i p a t e w ith no p e n a l t y a t t a c h e d to su c h a c t i o n . I know t h a t my name w i l l n o t b e c o n n e c te d to t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n . S ig n e d : D a te d : 100 Appendix B L e t t e r o f C o n firm a tio n to t h e two CES f i e l d s t a f f who a g re e d to a s s i s t i n i d e n t i f y i n g and c o n t a c t i n g f a r m e r s . D e a r _______ : T h is l e t t e r i s i n my s tu d y farm a f o llo w - u p to my e a r l i e r phone c a l l r e l a t i v e to a s s i s t i n g me o f f a r m e r s who own and s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n b u s in e s s e s . I s in c e re ly a p p re c ia te your w illin g n e s s i d e n t i f y i n g and s e l e c t i n g 6 f a r m e r s w ith 2 a l t e r n a t i v e s . to th e ir h e lp in The c r i t e r i a f o r th e s e l e c t i o n p r o c e s s a r e r e l a t i v e l y s im p le : 1. A co m m ercial fa r m e r whose g r o s s incom e from fa rm in g was o v e r $ 4 0 ,0 0 0 in 1986. 2. Own a m ic ro c o m p u te r and u se i t s u c c e s s fu lly in th e ir farm b u s in e s s f o r m ore th a n 1 p u r p o s e . I w i l l v i s i t y o u r c o u n ty E x te n s io n o f f i c e on _______ a lis t of n am es, a lte rn a tiv e s above. th e ir I who a d d re sse s own a p p re c ia te s e le c tio n has and phone m ic ro c o m p u te rs and your w illin g n e s s to b een made to get num bers m eet of th e and a s k t h a t you h av e th e 6 fa rm e rs c rite ria c o n t a c t e a c h o f th e th e ir p e r m is s io n to as and 2 in d ic a te d fa rm e rs a f t e r c o o p e r a te in th is s tu d y . As 1 i n d i c a t e d id e n tif y re la te d be fo u r th e e a rlie r a c tu a l and on th e p re fe rre d p h o n e, th e le a rn in g p u rp o s e of th is s tu d y i s a c tiv itie s of M ich ig a n to th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . a re a s of in q u iry : 1) th e ty p e s 101 of le a rn in g fa rm e rs to f a r m e rs T here w i l l hav e u sed to a c q u i r e t h e i r s k i l l i n th e u se o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r, 2) th e ty p e s o f l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s p r e f e r r e d by f a r m e r s , 3) th e ty p e s o f s u p p o r t t h a t f a r m e r s h av e id e n tifie d to h e lp them more fu lly u se th e ir m ic ro c o m p u te r, and 4) a c o m p ila tio n o f d em o g ra p h ic i n f o r m a tio n f o r e a c h p a r t i c i p a n t . I w ill in te rv ie w ta k e w ith th e n o te s b a se d fa rm e r. on th e i n f o r m a tio n None o f th e g iv e n p a rtic ip a n ts to s tu d y w i l l be sh a re d w ith th e s tu d y p a rtic ip a n ts d u r in g w i l l be i d e n t i f i e d name i n th e s tu d y , and th e i n t e r v i e w w i l l re m a in c o n f i d e n t i a l . th e me and a ll th e by The r e s u l t s o f M ich ig an CES s t a f f members who w ish to r e c e i v e a summary o f th e c o n c l u s i o n s . Thank you f o r y o u r h e l p i n th is p ro je c t. yo u on i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e . S in c e re ly , Thomas Ii. T h o rb u rn 102 I lo o k fo rw a rd to ta lk in g to Appendix C L e t t e r o f C o n f ir m a tio n to th e S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s D e a r _______ : I a p p re c ia te p ro je c t. T h is v e r y much y o u r w i l l i n g n e s s re se a rc h p ro je c t fo r p a rtia lly p ro v id e th e C o o p e r a tiv e has two p u rp o ses: c o m p le tin g th e E x te n s io n to be a p a r t o f t h i s 1) P r o v id e me w ith a r e q u ir e m e n ts S e r v ic e re a se a rc h w ith fo r a P h .D . u sefu l research d e g re e ; in f o r m a tio n on 2) th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n th e farm b u s i n e s s . Thank le a r n in g you a c tiv itie s b u s in e s s . home. v e r y much f o r y o u r w i l l i n g n e s s in T h is i s to re la tio n c o n firm to th e u se o u r in te rv ie w to v is it w ith me a b o u t y o u r o f m ic ro c o m p u te rs d a te in your farm in your of The i n t e r v i e w s h o u ld ta k e from one to two h o u r s o f y o u r tim e . The i n t e r v i e w a c tiv itie s you h av e m ic ro c o m p u te r, fu tu re , and w i l l c o v e r t h r e e m a jo r a r e a s : u sed to a c q u ire your 1) The ty p e s o f e d u c a t i o n a l s k ill in th e use o f th e 2) th e ty p e s o f l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s you would p r e f e r i n th e 3) th e ty p e s o f e d u c a tio n a l su p p o rt t h a t you need to h e lp you more f u l l y u s e y o u r m ic ro c o m p u te r. I w i l l ta k e q u e s tio n n a ire . n o te s d u r in g th e i n t e r v i e w and f i l l o u t y o u r r e s p o n s e s on a You w i l l not be id e n tifie d by name in i n t e r v i e w w i l l re m a in c o n f i d e n t i a l b etw ee n th e two o f u s . s tu d y w ill be sh ared w ith a ll p a rtic ip a n ts who w ish to th e s tu d y and th e The r e s u l t s o f th e see th e c o n c lu s io n s once th e s tu d y i s f i n i s h e d . I c e rta in ly p ro je c t. a p p re c ia te y o u r h e lp and w i l l i n g n e s s to I lo o k fo rw a rd to v i s i t i n g w ith you o n ____________ . S in c e re ly , Thomas L. T h o rb u rn 103 a s s i s t me i n th is A ppendix D Thank you L e t t e r to S tu d y P a r t i c i p a n t s B ear , Thank you f o r ta k i n g tim e to fill o u t th e q u e s tio n n a ire and a llo w in g me to i n t e r v i e w you r e g a r d i n g th e u s e o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r i n y o u r farm B u s in e s s . was m ost re la te d a p p re c ia tiv e to how you of your le a r n e d w illin g n e s s to u se th e to sh a re w ith me th e m ic ro c o m p u te r and th e I a c tiv itie s s o f tw a r e a s s o c i a t e d w ith th e fa rm . T h is s tu d y is v e ry in te re s tin g and as I c o m p le te a ll th e in te rv ie w s th e in f o r m a tio n you h av e p r o v id e d w i l l be m o st h e l p f u l i n th e f u t u r e . A gain * th a n k you f o r ta k in g tim e out o f a b u sy w illin g ly . S in c e re ly , Thomas L. T h o rb u rn 104 s c h e d u le to p a rtic ip a te so Appendix E QUESTIONNAIRE FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ON MICROCOMPUTER USAGE OF A GROUP OF COMMERCIAL FARMERS R e s e a rc h S tu d y C onducted by Thomas L. T h o rb u rn P h .D . C a n d id a te C o lle g e o f E d u c a tio n M ich ig an S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y P a r t i c i p a n t Number ____ 105 1HTR0 DUCTI0H The p u r p o s e s o f t h i s r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t a r e two f o l d : 1. P ro v id e i n f o r m a tio n to th e C o o p e ra tiv e th e p re fe rre d le a rn in g a c tiv itie s E x te n s io n S e r v ic e a b o u t of a g ro u p of co m m ercial f a r m e r s who u s e m ic ro c o m p u te rs i n t h e i r farm b u s i n e s s e s . 2. To p r o v id e th e d is s e rta tio n d a ta fo r and i n f o r m a tio n n e c e s s a r y a P h .D . d e g re e b e in g to c o m p le te a p u rs u e d by th e re se a rc h e r. Your h e l p and c o o p e r a tio n i n c o m p le tin g th e q u e s t i o n n a i r e im p o r ta n t to h a v in g c o m p le te d q u e s t i o n n a i r e s is e s s e n tia l is v e ry so t h a t th e in f o r m a tio n g a t h e r e d w i l l t r u l y r e f l e c t th e v ie w s o f p a r t i c i p a n t s i n th e s tu d y . T h is q u e s t i o n n a i r e q u e s tio n n a ire in f o r m a tio n has on s h o u ld th re e th e ta k e a b o u t one h o u r to s e c tio n s ; s tu d y S e c t io n p a rtic ip a n ts ; in f o r m a tio n on m ic ro c o m p u te r h a rd w a re ; in f r o m a tio n on m ic ro c o m p u te r s o ftw a re . le a rn in g a c tiv itie s and p re fe rre d I w ill S e c tio n and The le a rn in g S e c t io n p r o v id e II w ill w ill a c tiv itie s Thank you f o r a s s i s t i n g i n t h i s r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t . T h is b ack g ro u n d w ill III in t e r v i e w m ic ro c o m p u te r s . 106 c o m p le te . p r o v id e p r o v id e fo c u s re la te d on to This s e c t i o n o f th e q u e s ti o n n a ir e d e a l s w ith in fo rm a tio n about you, your fam ily and your farm o p e r a t i o n . P lea se be as s p e c i f i c as p o s s i b l e . Demographic Section I 1. Your p la c e o f re s id e n c e i n M ichigan, what c o u n t y ? ________________ 2. ( a ) Your age ( to d a y ) : (check o n ly one) (1 ) 25 o r younger ( 2 ) 2 6 -3 0 (3 ) 31-35 (4 ) 36-40 (5) 41-45 (6 ) 46-50 (7) 51 o r o ld e r (b ) Number o f y e a r s you have been farming? (check only one) (1 ) l e s s than 5 (2 ) 5-9 y e a rs (3 ) 10-15 y e a r s (4) 16-20 y e a rs (5) more than 20 y e a r s Your marital status: (check one) (1 ) m arried (2 ) d iv o rce d (3) single (4 ) widow Number of children living at your home: (check only one) ( 4 ) 3 c h i l d r e n a t home (5 ) 4 o r more c h i l d r e n a t home (1) 0 c h i l d r e n a t home (2 ) 1 c h i l d a t home (3) 2 c h i l d r e n a t home 5* You a r e : (check on ly one) (1 ) W hite/C aucasian ( 2 ) B lack/A fro American (3 ) Chicano/Mexican American 6. Your sex is: 7. You a r e : (1) Male (4) American In dian (5) A s i a n /P a c i f ic I s l a n d e r (6) Other ( s p e c if y p le a s e ) (2) Female (check on ly one) (4) spouse o f prim ary o p e r a t o r (5) o t h e r . . . ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) (1) farm o w n e r/o p e ra to r (2 ) farm o p e r a t o r / t e n a n t (3 ) farm manager 8. Your farm o p e r a t io n i s : (check only one) (4) c o r p o r a t io n owned i n d i v i d u a l l y (5) o th e r a r r a n g e m e n ts . .. ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) (1 ) i n d i v i d u a l l y owned (2 ) p a r t n e r s h i p (number o f p a r t n e r s ) (3 ) fa m ily owned c o r p o r a t i o n 107 9- Your gross farm income for 1986 was: (check one) (1) less than $40,000 (2) 40,001 - 100,000 (3) 100,001- 250,000 10. (4) 250,000 - 500,000 (5) 500,001 - $1 million (6) greater than $1 million Off farm income for 1966 for you and your spouse was: (check one) (1) less than $10,000 (2) 10,001 - 19,999 11. (3) 20,000 - 49,999 (4) 50,000 or more P le a se check the h ig h e s t l e v e l o f ed u c a tio n com pleted: (check one) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) e ig h th grade te n th grade graduated from high scho ol MSU Ag Technology 2 y e a r program two y e a r a s s o c i a t e d degree from community c o l le g e f o u r y e a r c o l le g e g ra d u a te with B a c h e lo r 's d e g re e , l i s t school _________________________________ (7) Advanced degree work com pleted. P le a s e s p e c i f y degree ( p le a s e s p e c if y major a re a o f stud y) __________________________________________ 12. P le a s e check th e o r g a n i z a t i o n s you a re a member o f : (1) American A g r ic u lt u r e Movement (2) Michigan Farmers Union (3) Michigan Farm Bureau (4 ) N ation al Farmers O rg a n iz a tio n (5) Grange (6) Chamber o f Commerce (7) J r . Chamber o f Commerce (8) S erv ice C l u b . .. ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) ___________________________________ (9) League o f Women V oters (10) Michigan L iv e sto c k Exchange (11) Michigan H o r t i c u l t u r e S o c ie ty (12) American A s s o c ia tio n o f U n iv e r s ity Women (13) Dairy Herd Improvement A s s o c ia tio n (14) Breed A s s o c i a t i o n . . . ( p le a s e s p e c i f y ) ____________________________________ (15) Extension Study Club (16) V olun teer 4-H L e a d e r . . . ( p l e a s e s p e c i f y p r o j e c t ) ___________________________ (17) Great Lakes V egetable Growers A s s o c ia tio n (18) Church member (19) P o l i t i c a l p a r ty o r g a n i z a t i o n s ( p le a s e s p e c i f y ) _________ _____________________ (20) Other o r g a n iz a ti o n s you a r e a member o f ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) 108 13. P lea se check any o f the fo llo w in g o r g a n iz a ti o n s you were a member o f as a you th : (1) Boy S cou ts, G irl S co u ts, In d ian Guides, Campfire G ir ls (2) 4-H (3) .Future Farmers o f America (4) F uture Homemakers o f America 14- (7) 1 d i d n ' t belong to any youth o r g a n iz a ti o n s Which o f the follo w in g a re owned by your fam ily? (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 15. (5) Church youth groups (6) O ther ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) 35mm camera c a s s e t t e tap e r e c o r d e r s t e r e o system TV compact d is k p la y e r “ (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) video camera video ta p e p layback r e c o r d e r (VCK) video ta p e movies video ta p e e d u c a tio n a l programs ty p e w riter Which of the following best describes your major farm enterprise or enterprises: (More than one category can be checked where appropriate.) (1) dairy... (please specify number of dairy cows) ___ (2) beef cow-calf... (please specify number of brood cows) ____ ( 3 ) beef feedlot... (please specify number of cattle fed per year) ___ ( 4 ) sheep... (please specify number of lambs sold per year) ____ (5) swine... (please specify number of hogs sold per year) ___ (6) horses... (please specify number of horses maintained per year) ___ (7) fruit crops... (please specify number of acres harvested per year) ___ (8) vegetable... (please specify number of acres harvested per year) ___ (9) cash grain... (please specify number of acres harvested per year) ____ (10) cash crop... (please specify number of acres harvested per year) ____ 16. How many acres of land do you 17* (a) How many acres of o p e ra tio n ? ___________ (b) Are th e re a d d i t i o n a l a c r e s you farm? S p e c ify : ____________________________ 18. own? _________ land do you rent Yes or lease No; for your farming How Many ______ (a ) Which b e s t d e s c r ib e s how you h an dle your farm f i n a n c i a l ac c o u n ts? (check one) (1) (2) (3 ) (4 ) M aintain farm account book Telfarm re c o rd s Agri-Fax re c o rd s CPA firm keeps my farm account re c o rd s (8 ) non-CPA firm 109 (5) Accounting firm keeps ray farm accou nt (6) Ijy my microcomputer (7) O t h e r . . . ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) (b ) Which b e s t d e s c r ib e s who does your income ta x r e t u r n s f o r the farm b u s in e s s : (check one) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5 ) 19* 0 1 farm er 2 farm ers (4) (5) (6) 3 4 5 farm ers farm ers o r morefarm ers Which resp o n se b e s t d e s c r ib e s you? (1 ) (2 ) (3) (4) 21. (6) Income tax p r e p a r e r (7) Myself u sin g summaries from my microcomputer p r i n t o u t s (8) Other ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) How many farm ers do you p e r s o n a l l y know who a r e u sin g microcomputers? (1) (2) (3) 20. m y self no a s s i s t a n c e CPA firm Farm le n d e r Accounting firm E xtensio n agent fu ll-tim e fu ll-tim e p art-tim e p a rt-tim e fa rm e r, farm e r, farm e r, farm e r, n e i t h e r my spouse no r i worko f f the farm my spouse works o f f the farm I work o f f th e farm both my spouse and I work o f f the farm how d id you become i n t e r e s t e d i n m icrocomputers? (Check as many c a t e g o r i e s as you wish. Rank re s p o n s e s 1 (most im p o r ta n t ) , 2, 3 e t c . i f you s e l e c t more than one fa c to r.) (1) (2) (3 ) (4) (5 ) (6) T.V. a d v e r t i s i n g r a d io farm m agazines/newspapers computer magazines f r i e n d s , n e ig h b o rs , r e l a t i v e s C o operativ e E x ten sion S e r v ic e , sem in ars, l e c t u r e s , l i t e r a t u r e , n ew sle tte rs, e tc . (7 ) high s c h o o ls , v o c a t io n a l t e c h n ic a l c e n t e r s (8) community c o l l e g e s , u n i v e r s i t i e s (9 ) c h i l d r e n ' s i n t e r e s t (10) o th e r ( s p e c i f y ) _______________________________________________________________ 22. How f a r i s i t from your home to the n e a r e s t town o f over 10,000 people? 23. how f a r i s i t from your home to the n e a r e s t high sch ool? 24- How f a r i s i t from your home to the n e a r e s t community c o l le g e ? 25- how f a r i s i t from your home to the n e a r e s t 4 y e a r c o lle g e ? 26. How f a r i s i t from your home to Mic dgan S t a t e U n iv e rs ity ? 110 ___________ ________ ___________ ___________ T his s e c t i o n o f the q u e s tio n n a ir e d e a ls with the microcomputer hardware t h a t i s used in th e farm b u s i n e s s . M icrocomputer Equipment (Hardware) 1. Do you own o r l e a s e a microcomputer f o r your farm o p e r a tio n ? (1 ) (2) 2. S ectio n I I "Yes", p le a s e go to q u e s tio n 2.. "No", I f you check no th e re i s no need to go any f u r t h e r w ith t h i s q u e stio n n a ire . What type o f computer equipment do you have? (1 ) (2 ) (3 ) (4) ( P le a s e s p e c if y model) (5 ) (6) (7) (8) IBM Apple Radio Shack/Tandy Commodore Texas In stru m en t Zenith Timex Other brands P lea se s p e c if y Approximate purch ase p r i c e $ (a) What type o f p r i n t e r do you have? (1 ) (2 ) (3 ) (4 ) (P le a se s p e c if y model) (5 ) (6 ) (7 ) (8) IBM Apple Radio Shack/Tandy Commodore (b ) Approximate purchase p r i c e $ (c) Which b e s t d e s c r ib e s the type o f p r i n t e r (1 ) Dot M atrix (2) L e t t e r Q u ality (3 ) O th er, P lea se S p e c ify : ________________ I own o r l e a s e a telep h o n e modem? (1 ) Yes brand model bode c a p a c it y approxim ate purchase p r i c e 3>_ (2) ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) No 111 Texas In stru m en t Z enith Timex Other brand P le a se s p e c i f y 5* I own or lease a color monitor? (1 ) Yes ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) brand model s i z e o f m onitor screen approxim ate purchase p r ic e $ (2 ) No (3 ) No, however 1 p la n to purchase one i n the n e a r f u t u r e . 6. When did you p urch ase o r l e a s e your computer? (1) b e fo r e 1961 ( 2 ) 1982 7. (a) From what type from? (1) (2) (3 ) (4) (5 ) (6) (7 ) (b ) 8. ( 3 ) 1983 ( 4 ) 1984 (5 ) 1985 (6) 1986 of o rg an iz atio n did you purchase your microcom puter hardware l o c a l computer s t o r e c h a in s t o r e , such a s , S ears, K-Mart, e t c . d is c o u n t m ail o r d e r house purchased used microcomputer a g r i c u l t u r e / f a r m computer d i s t r i b u t e r . P lea se g iv e name ______________________ Farm Bureau o t h e r ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) ___________________________________________________________ Would you purchase from th e same sou rce ag ain ? How many m ile s from your farm i s your microcomputer? (1) (2 ) (3 ) ( 4) (5 ) Yes ____ No th e microcom puter d e a l e r from whom you purchased 10 m ile s o r l e s s 11 m ile s to 25 m ile s 26 m ile s to 49 m iles 50 o r more m ile s d o n ' t know To what e x t e n t were o th e r household members' in volved and in flu e n c e d you r d e c i s i o n to a c q u i r e a microcomputer? (1 ) n o t im p o rta n t (2) somewhat im p o rta n t 10. (3 ) im p o rta n t ( 4 ) very im p o rta n t I s th e m icrocomputer d e a l e r from whom you purchased your microcom puter i n b u s in e s s today? (1 ) Yes (2) No 112 11. Which person in microcomputer? (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) your fa m ily was most in flu e n tia l husband wife d a u g h te r son d a u g h t e r - in - la w in your d ecisio n to buy the (6 ) s o n -in -la w (7 ) f a t h e r (8 ) mother (9) s i s t e r (10) b ro th e r Comments: 12. How do you hand le hardw are? (1) (2) (3) (4) the cost of the rep air and m aintenance of the microcomputer d i r e c t payment when needed m aintenance co n tract paid each y e a r o r month m aintenance c o s t was covered as p a r t o f the p urchase p r ic e o th e r ______________________________________________________________________________ 113 T his s e c t i o n of th e q u e s ti o n n a ir e d e a l s with in f o r m a tio n about the microcomputer s o ftw are t h a t i s u t i l i z e d i n th e farm b u s in e s s . Microcomputer Softw are 1. S ectio n I I I How many d i f f e r e n t farm r e l a t e d member o f you r fam ily w r i t t e n ? computer programs a n d /o r te m p la te s have you o r a Progams W ritten (1) none (2) 1 o r 2 ___ (3 ) 3 o r 4 ___ (4) 5 o r more Tem plates Developed (1) none (2) 1 o r 2 ___ (3 ) 3 o r 4 __ (4) 5 or more I n d i c a t e t i t l e s o f programs w r i t t e n a n d /o r te m p la te s developed: 2. How many d i f f e r e n t farm r e l a t e d computer programs (1) none (2) 1 o r 2 3* (5) 7 o r 8 (6) 9 o r more How many o f th e computer programs a n d /o r te m p la te s t h a t you own a r e used as a r e g u l a r p a r t o f your farm o p e ra tio n ? (1) none (2) 1 o r 2 4* ____ (3) 3 o r 4 ____ (4 ) 5 o r 6 a n d /o r te m p la te s do you own? (3) 3 o r 4 (4) 5 o r 6 (5) 7 o r 8 (6) 9 o r more V/hich computer programs do you own? (1) farm a c c o u n t i n g / f i n a n c i a l re c o rd s (2) farm (a ) (b ) (c) (d ) d ecisio n aid s r a t i o n b a la n c e r fe rtiliz e r cash flow p la n n e r Brand Name Brand Name brand Brand Brand Brand 114 Name Name Name Name (3 ) e n t e r p r i s e re c o rd s (a) swine (b) d a i r y (c) crops (d) p o u lt r y (e) f r u i t ( f ) v e g e ta b le s (g) o th e r s Brand Brand Brand Brand Brand Brand Brand Name Name Name Name Name Name Name Comments: 5- How would you r a t e the s o ftw a re t h a t you have purchased? (1) (2) (3) (4 ) (5) e x c e l l e n t , meets my needs good, meets some o f my needs n o t su re meets only a few o f my needs has n ever met any o f my needs Coments: 6. What are your sources of computer programs? (1) (2) (3) (4 ) purchase commercially available computer programs copy programs from other farmers have hired a programmer to develop computer programs for me purchased spreadsheets and developed my own templates (5 ) purchased computer programs from Cooperative Extension Service (6) free ware from magazines and/or computer companies (7) other (please specify) ____________________________________________________ 7- Which sources of information did you look to for help in deciding which software to purchase? Please rank in order of most important to least important. 1 - least important, 10 - most important (1) (2) (3 ) {4 ) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) local microcomputer store discount mail order house Cooperative Extension Service in Michigan Cooperative Extension Service in another state copied from others agri-computer business copies from another farmer software given to you other (please specify) ____________________________________________________________ 115 8. What f u n c tio n s do you c u r r e n t l y use the m icrocomputer f o r : (ra n k your responses 1 most im p o rta n t, 2, 3> e t c . i f you s e l e c t more than one) (1) accounting/financial records (2) inventory control and purchasing (3) financial decision aid (4) market analysis and update (5) production decision aid (6) monitoring -moisture, heat, etc. (7) word processing (8) recreation (9) entertainment (10) children's education (11) family record keeping (12) other (please specify) _____________________________________________________ 9* Please indicate how available farm and agriculture designed software is: (1) very readily available (2) available 10. someavailable notreadilyavailable In your opinion most farm software is: (1) too expensive (2) expensive 11. (3) (4) ___ (3) cost is about right (4 ) inexpensive Farm computer software should be priced: (check only one) (1) less than $50.00 per program (2) less than $100.00 per program (3 ) less than $200.00 per program (4 ) lessthan $ 500.00 per program (5) I'm willingtopaymore than $500 for each computer software program Comments: 12. In your o p in io n farm s o ftw a re should b e: (check o n ly one) (1) (2) (3) (4 ) s o ld on ly by commercial companies s o ld by farm ers only s o ld by E xtension ana u n i v e r s i t i e s s o ld by a g r i b u s i n e s s e s who can p ro v id e s e r v i c e a f t e r th e s a l e o f th e so ftw a re program (5) so ld by any of th e o r g a n i z a t i o n s mentioned above Comments: 116 13- (a) How important is it for you to get or request updates on software you currently own? (1) extremely important (2) important but not necessary (3) not important to me (b) How many of your currently owned software programs are updated by the company or organization from which you purchased your software? (1)0 (2) 1 to 3 (3 )4 to 6 (4)over 7 (5) all the software 1 own 1 have received updates Comments: 14* What agriculture software, either programs and/or templates, do you plan to purchase during the next year? Please list by title or purpose of the program. 117 Appendix F INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR A RESEARCH STUDY ON MICROCOMPUTER USAGE AMONG A GROUP OF COMMERCIAL FARMERS Research Study Conducted by Thomas L. Thorburn Ph.D. Candidate College of Education Michigan State University Participant Number 118 This section of the questionnaire deals with the information about the individual who is the primary operator of the microcomputer for the farm business. Microcomputer User Information 1. Section IV Who is the primary user/operator of the microcomputer in your farm operation? (1) myself (2) spouse 2. (2) child (5) other (specify) ____ (4) employee_____________________________________ Approximately how many hours per week is your computer used by the person identified in previous question? (check one) ___ (4) 15 to 19 hours ___ (5) 20 or more (specify)_________________ (l) less than five hours (2) 5 to 9 hours (3) 10 to 14 hours 3* What percentage of time is your computer used for % (4 ) non farm business % (5) other (specify)___ % (l) farm business % (2) home entertainment % (3 ) school Total 4. 100% What is the age of the person who is the primary user? (l) (2) (3) (4 ) 5* the following purposes: Overall (1) (2) (3) (4 ) 36-40 years old (5) 41-45 years old (6) 46 years old or older teenager 20-25 years old 26-30 years old 31-35 years old how satisfied are you with the microcomputer equipment you own? ___ (4 ) dissatisfied ___ (5) very dissatisfied very satisfied satisfied somewhat satisfied Comments: 119 6. (a) Given the cost of your microcomputer equipment and software would you say it has paid for itself? (check one) (1) (2) (3) (4 ) (b) won't but will withinthefirst year within 2years Approximately how many dollars have you invested in microcomputer hardware for your farm business? (check one) (1) (2) (3) (c) hasn't paid and hasn't paid yet paid for itself paid for itself (4 ) $3,000 to $3,999 (5) $4,000 to $4,999 (6) $5,000 or more less than $1,000 $1,000 to $1,999 $2,000 to $2,999 Approximately how many dollars have you invested in microcomputer software for your farm business? (check one) (4 ) $2,000 to $2,999 (5) more than $3,000 (1) less than $500 (2) $500 to $999 (3) $1,000 to $1,999 7* Which sources of information did you look to for help in deciding which microcomputer to purchase? Please rank in order of most important to least important — 1 is most important to 5 least important (1) (2) (3) (4 ) (5) (6) (7) (8) computer magazines farm magazines Cooperative Extension Service community college farm newspaper vocational and/or career centers farm neighbor course or courses (9) relative (10) microcomputer sales person (11) computer expert (12) computer trade shows (13) farm shows (14) other (please specify) Comments: 8. List the reasons why you own and use a microcomputer in your farm business. 120 This research project is particularily interested in the usefulness of your microcomputer to your farm business. Microcomputers: Level of Use 1. Section V Which of the following programs do you use in your farm operation? Please indicate an average number of hours per week over the past year using each type of software. Hours/Week ______ (1) word processing (2) financial record keeping ______ (3) enterprise record keeping___________________ ______ (dairy, beef, hogs) ( 4 ) herd record keeping ______ (5) field/crops record keeping ______ (6) fertilizer management ______ (7) pesticide management ______ (8) payroll checks and records _____ (9) develop software programs ______ (1) l e a s e vs buying equipment (2) land p urchase vs r e n t (3) cash flow ( 4 ) p r o f i t and l o s s s ta te m e n t (5) r e n t vs s h a re crop (6) forward p la n n in g (7) m ark e tin g hedging (8) m ark eting forward c o n t r a c t i n g (9) loan a m o r t iz a tio n (10) r a t i o n b a la n c in g (11) b reak even & p r i c e a n a l y s i s (12) ta x plan n in g (13) c o s t o f p ro d u c tio n a n a l y s i s (14) in v e n to r y management (15) a c c e s s in g computer netw orks f o r market and o t h e r in fo rm a tio n (16) e n te rta in m e n t/g a m e s (17) c h i l d r e n ' s school work 121 hours/Month _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ a. Do you access computer networks? ___ Yes No b. If you access computer networks please indicate which one or ones? Others: please indicate (4)____ ________ (5 )____________ (6)____ _________ (1) AgriCom (Farm Bureau) (2) Grassroots (3) CompuServe c. If you access computer networks how many times per month do you access computer networks? __________________________________ Do you currently belong to a microcomputer user group? (1) Yes (2) No have you ever belonged to a microcomputer user group? (1) Yes ___ (2) No If you answered yes to the previous question how frequently does it meet? (1) 1 time per week ___ (3) 2 times per month (2) 1 time per month (4 ) 1 time per quarter How long have you been attending the microcomputer user group meetings? (1) less than 1 year (2) 1 to 2 years How long has the group been meeting? (1) less than 1 y e a r (3) 3 to 4 years ( 2 ) 1 to 2 years (3 ) 3 to 5 years (4 ) more than 5 years (4) more than 5 years If you have or currently belong to a user group please check the statements which best describes the user group: (1) (2) (3) (4 ) (5) (6) (7) (6) (9) (10) all farmers mix of farmers and agriculturally interested people non farm group group,is sponsored or lead by Cooperative Extension Servicestaff self directed group sponsored by a computer store and/or computer company has been helpful members exchange software members exchange ideas andinformation is an important part of my learning how to use my microcomputer Please indicate in your own words what ways the microcomputer user group is or was helpful to you in learning how to use the microcomputer? 10. Should the Michigan C o o p erativ e E xtension S e rv ic e o rg a n iz e microcomputer u s e r groups? Yes No Comments: 11. I f you had th e o p p o r tu n i ty to make your d e c i s i o n s m icrocomputer what would you change? 123 over ag ain about p u rc h a sin g a The C oo perative E xtension S erv ice i s p a r t i c u l a r i t y i n t e r e s t e d in knowing more about your i n t e r e s t s in m icrocom puter e d u c a tio n . This s e r i e s o f q u e s ti o n s i s p a r t i c u l a r i t y im p o rta n t to t h i s r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t . I encourage you to add a d d i t i o n a l comments in t h i s s e c t i o n . Microcomputer Education 1. S ectio n VI A fte r you purchased the microcomputer equipment which of the fo llo w in g did ( I f you d id more than one o f th e fo llo w in g , rank them in o r d e r o f im portance 1 ® most im p o r ta n t , 10 - l e a s t im p o rtan t) you do? such a s ; (1) a tte n d e d a c l a s s o f f e r e d by the computer company o r p la ce o f b u s in e s s where 1 purchased th e computer. (2 ) th e computer s a le s p e r s o n answered my q u e s ti o n s a f t e r th e s a l e (3 ) I ta u g h t m yself by re a d in g the manuals and u sin g t r i a l and e r r o r (4) e n r o l l e d i n a c o lle g e computer c l a s s (5) e n r o l l e d i n a community ed u c a tio n o r v o c a t io n a l scho ol c l a s s (6 ) a t te n d e d a C ooperative E xtension S e rv ic e c l a s s on microcomputers (7) purchased a d d i t i o n a l manuals a n d /o r books t h a t were h e l p f u l (8 ) o t h e r ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) ___________________________________________________________ 2. The c o s t o f l e a r n in g how to ow nership was ap pro x im ate ly : 0 ) l e s s th an $20 (2) $21 to $49 use the microcomputer d u rin g (3 ) $30 to $99 (4) $100 to $499 the f i r s t two y e a r s of (5 ) g r e a t e r than $ 5 0 0 Comments: 3« I f you were to a d v is e o th e r farm ers about what i s th e b e s t way to l e a r n how to use a m icrocom puter what would y o u r advice be? Check th o se s ta te m e n ts t h a t b e s t d e s c r ib e your th o u g h t s / s u g g e s t io n s and add a d d i t i o n a l comments: (1) (2) (3) (4 ) (5) (6) d o n ' t purchase a computer p u rch ase s o ftw are t h a t w i l l h e lp you l e a r n how to use th e computer e n r o ll in a class t a l k w ith your county a g r i c u l t u r e ag en t o r county e x te n s io n d i r e c t o r fin d a te a c h e r from e i t h e r a c o l le g e o r hig h sch ool to t u i t o r them p u rchase o n ly from a b u s in e s s t h a t w i l l p ro v id e a s s i s t a n c e over a lo ng perio d o f tim e a f t e r the p u rchase o f both hardware and s o ftw a re (7) o t h e r s ( p le a s e s p e c i f y ) ______________________________________________________ 124 4» Which o f the fo llo w in g sou rces were most h e l p f u l to m icrocom puter so ftw are? (You may check more than o n e .) you in le a r n in g about (1) farm computer news magazine (2) commercial computer magazines (3 ) county e x te n s io n ag en ts (4) E xtensio n b u l l e t i n s , pamphlets (5 ) m icrocomputer club n e w s le tt e r s (6) in fo rm a l d is c u s s io n s with o th e r farm ers (7) farm newspapers (8) farm magazines (9) c h i l d r e n (10) l o c a l l i b r a r y (11) f a i r s (12) a g r i c u l t u r e e x h i b iti o n s (13) o t h e r s o u rces ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) ______________________________________________ 5* What f u t u r e p la n s do you have to i n c re a s e your knowledge and s k i l l s com puter: (you may check more than one) (1) (2) none take c l a s s e s (p le a s e s p e c if y ) i n using the ________________________________________________ (3) s u b s c r ib e to newmagazines o r j o u r n a l s on computers (4) j o i n a farm microcomputer u s e r group 6. Which o f the fo llo w in g s ta te m e n ts b e s t d e s c r ib e how you use th e computer keyboard: (check one) (1) 1 use one hand and m ostly one f i n g e r to type in in fo rm a tio n (2) I use both hands but b a s i c a l l y use two f i n g e r s (3) 1 use both hands and a l l my f i n g e r s to use th e computer keyboard (4) I am v e ry p r o f i c i e n t a t ty p in g and can ty p e 40 words or more p er minute 7- Which s ta te m e n t b e s t d e s c r ib e s keyboard: (check one) how y o u ’ ve gained s k i l l in m a ste rin g th e computer (1) ta u g h t m y self (2) to ok ty p in g c l a s s in high sch oo l a n d /o r c o l le g e (3) used a microcomputer ty p in g program and ta u g h t m y self 8. Which statement best keyboard: (check one) describes the speed with which you (1 ) v e ry f a s t few e r r o r s (2) f a s t some e r r o r s (3) moderate speed some e r r o r s (4) slow takes lots of time few errors (5) v ery slow l o t s o f e r r o r s (6) very slow l o t 3 o f e r r o r s and g e t e a s i l y d isc o u ra g e d Comments : 125 can use the computer 9- I f you would l i k e to r e c e iv e f u r t h e r microcomputer t r a i n i n g , most h e l p fu l to you: (you may check more than one item ) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) 10. which item s would be I ’m not i n t e r e s t e d in t r a i n i n g b a s ic programming in a computer language l i k e F o r tr a n , B a s ic , e t c . tem plate development on a s p re a d s h e e t program l i k e Lotus 1,2,3* V is i c a l c , e tc in c r e a s i n g my speed o f u sin g th e computer by i n c r e a s i n g my speed in usin g the microcomputer keyboard p r a c t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s o f computer programs to my farm a c u r r e n t review o f a v a i l a b l e computer s o ftw a re designed f o r farms j o i n a farm er computer u s e r group i n my a r e a o th e r ( p le a s e s p e c if y ) How many hours p e r week would you be w i l l i n g to spend in l e a r n in g and t r a i n i n g d u rin g th e next y e a r to expand your knowledge and make more e f f i c i e n t use of your microcomputer and softw are f o r your farm b u s i n e s s : (check one) (1) none ___ (3) 2 to 3 ho urs p er week (2) 1 hour p e r week_______________________________ (4) 4 hours o r more per week 11. (a) P lea se check those s ta te m e n ts below t h a t b e s t d e s c r ib e th e e d u c a tio n a l programs you have a tte n d e d over th e p a s t y e a r on v a r io u s t o p i c s , (you may check more than one) How Many Over the Past Year? commodity organizations educational meetings ______ seed corn company educational programs ______ feed company educational programs ______ chemical company educational programs ______ fertilizer company educational programs ______ farm organization educational programs__________________________ ______ (7) Cooperative Extension Service educational programs ______ (8) private consultant educational programs ______ (9) community education programs ______ (10) college classes on agriculture_________________________________ _____ (11) college classes on topics unrelated to agriculture _____ (12) community college classes on agriculture_______________________ _____ (13) community college classes on topics unrelated to agriculture_________________________________________________ _____ (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Comments: 126 11. (b) What computer learning aids did you have that you found most useful? (you may check more than one) (4) video tapes (5) interactive video (6) other ___________ (1) instructional manual (2) single concept sheets (3) audio tapes 11. (c ) Which sta te m e n t b e s t d e s c r i b e s th e s i t u a t i o n l e a r n in g microcomputer s k i l l s ? (check one) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) 11. (d ) t h a t was most h e l p f u l to you in classroom with a l e c t u r e r classroom with l e c t u r e r s and group d i s c u s s i o n s classroom with l e c t u r e r and hands on o p p o r tu n ity classroom with l e c t u r e r , d i s c u s s i o n , and hands on ex p e rie n c e l a b o r a t o r y where I can p r a c t i c e on my own a t home using t r a i n i n g manuals and o t h e r l e a r n i n g a i d s Which o f the fo llo w in g resp o n ses b e s t d e s c r i b e s how you in c re a s e d microcomputer sk ills? (1) (2) (3) t r i a l and e r r o r with some w r i t t e n m a t e r i a l s u sin g t r a i n i n g manuals and te a c h in g m y self c a l l on o r drop in a t the computer s t o r e to seek h e lp in l e a r i n g and s o lv in g my computer problems ( 4 ) r e g i s t e r e d f o r a course 12. P lease ran k which s t a t e m e n t / s in f l u e n c e you r d e c i s i o n to a t t e n d e d u c a tio n a l m e etin g s. (1 = most im p o rta n t; 6 » l e a s t im p o rta n t) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) 13* f r e e lunch a d v e rtis e m e n ts prom otions such a s p r i c e i n c e n t i v e s q u a l i t y o f in fo rm a tio n p re s e n te d p a s t meetings a tte n d e d sponsored by th e o r g a n i z a t i o n which neighbor a t t e n d s 1a you were given a ch o ic e of which o r g a n i z a t i o n should provide e d u c a tio n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s in the use o f m icrocom puters and s o ftw a re which would you choose: ( p le a s e ran k in o rd er o f c h o ic e ) 1 ~ most im p o r ta n t , 10 * l e a s t im p o rtan t (1) community a d u l t e d u c a tio n programs i n l o c a l hig h schoo l > ___ (2) v o c a t io n a l t e c h n i c a l c e n t e r s / s c h o o l s (3) community c o l le g e s (4) computer companies (5) a g r i c u l t u r e c o n s u l t a n t s (6) C ooperative Extension S ervice (7) correspondence c o u r s e s (8) farm o r g a n iz a ti o n s (9) a g r ib u s i n e s s e s (10) c o l le g e s a n d /o r u n i v e r s i t i e s (11) a g r i c u l t u r e m ark e tin g c o o p e r a tiv e s 127 14* I f you were given a choice o f which method/methods you f e e l a r e b e s t f o r you to le a r n which would you p r e f e r : ( p l e a s e ran k in o rd e r 1 - most im p o r ta n t; 2 ® l e a s t im p o rta n t) (1) a t t e n d i n g computer c l a s s e s a t a c o l le g e o r u n i v e r s i t y (2 ) a t t e n d i n g v o c a t io n a l t e c h n i c a l c l a s s e s (3 ) a t t e n d i n g computer company sponsored c l a s s e s (4) hands on t r a i n i n g in a computer la b (5) correspondence co urse on computers (6) books and manuals on m icrocom puters (7) n e w s l e t t e r s , magazines on m icrocom puters (8) C o operative E xtension S e rv ic e programs (9 ) S e l f - t e a c h i n g manuals (10) T ech nical on l i n e a s s i s t a n c e from a company. 15- I f you were to ad v ise the C o o p erativ e E x tension S e rv ic e on microcomputer ed u c a tio n programs f o r farm ers how would you s u g g e s t the e d u c a tio n a l programs be design ed and what t o p i c s to be ta u g h t on farm m icrocom puters? 16. (a) Were you the 1st farmer who adopted the microcomputer in your neighborhood? Yes (b) No After the introduction of new technologies, when do you adopt them for your farm business? (1) I'm the first person in my neighborhood (2) I let at least one other farmer try them first (3 ) I observe my neighbors and adopt after they've worked out the bugs (c) What new farm technologies have you adopted in the past five years? (4 ) no-tillage planting (5) other ______________________ (1) Chisel plowing (2) embryo transplants (3) commodity options 17* I f a n e ig h b o rin g s u g g e s tio n s be? _________________________ farmer came to you f o r a d v ic e on m icrocomputers what would your 128 18. I f you had to s t a r t over ag a in what would you do to l e a r n more e f f i c i e n t l y about the microcomputer and i t s a p p l i c a t i o n to farming? 19* What goal/s do you have for expanding the use of your microcomputer in your farm business in the future? 20. What l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s - i f any - do you need to a c h ie v e th e se g o a ls ? 21. Over th e p a s t two y e a rs you p ro b a b ly have a tte n d e d a number o f e d u c a tio n a l programs, s e m in a rs, workshops, c o n fe re n c e s , c l a s s e s and in v o lv ed y o u r s e l f in s i t u a t i o n s to g ain new knowledge a n d /o r l e a r n new s k i l l s about m icrocom puters. K ecall and l i s t as many o f th e s e e d u c a tio n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s as p o s s i b l e : 22. Which o f th e fo llo w in g l e a r n in g a i d s have you used to a s s i s t you in l e a r n i n g how to use th e microcomputer in your farm b u s in e s s ? (check th o s e item s which you have a c t u a l l y used) (1) audio c a s s e t t e ta p e s (2) c l a s s on microcomputers ta u g h t v i a e d u c a tio n a l TV (3) video ta p e s (4) video ta p e s p lu s microcomputer (5) microcomputer i n s t r u c t i o n in th e classro om (6) i n t e r a c t i v e video d is k (7) s l i d e - t a p e program (8) s a t l i t e TV i n s t r u c t i o n (9) microcomputer c o n s u lt a n t (10) s e l f - t e a c h i n g manuals (11) te c h n i c a l on l i n e a s s i s t a n c e 129 23- Which of the fo llo w in g le a r n in g a id s would you p r e f e r to use in l e a r n in g more about m icrocomputers ( i f you had a c h o ic e ) ? (check th ose ones you f e e l would b e s t a s s i s t you in le a r n in g to in c r e a s e your e f f i c i e n c y i n th e use o f m icroco m p uters). (1) audio c a s s e t t e ta p e s (2) c l a s s ta u g h t v i a e d u c a tio n a l TV (3) video ta p e s ( 4 ) video ta p e s p lu s microcomputer (5) classroom i n s t r u c t i o n w ith m icrocom puter (6) i n t e r a c t i v e video d is k (7) s l i d e - t a p e program (8 ) s a t i l i t e TV i n s t r u c t i o n (9) s e l f - t e a c h i n g manuals (10) microcomputer c o n s u lt a n t (11) one-on-one a s s i s t a n c e from an e x p e rie n c e d person Comments: 24« How much would you be willing to pay for microcomputer instruction to increase your efficiency in the use of the microcomputer, (check one) (3 ) $16 to $20 per hour (4 ) over $20 per hour (1) $5 to $10 per hour (2) $11 to $15 per hour Comments: 25* In your assessm en t o f th e m ic ro c o m p u te r's c o n t r i b u t i o n to your farm o p e r a t io n has the time and e f f o r t e x e rte d by you a n d /o r o t h e r s been w orthw hile? P le a s e s t a t e why or why n o t. 130 Appendix G I n t e r v i e w S c h e d u le P a rtic ip a n t I n t e r v i e w Date 1010 J u l y 9, 1987 1020 J u l y 9, 1030 J u l y 9, 1987 1040 J u l y 10, 1987 1050 J u l y 13, 1987 1060 J u l y 13, 1987 1070 J u l y 13, 1987 1080 J u l y 14, 1090 J u l y 15, 1987 1100 J u l y 20, 1110 J u l y 14, 1987 11 20 J u l y 14, 131 1987 1987 1987 1987 APPENDIX H S tu dy P a r t i c i p a n t s Were L o c a te d i n E i t h e r A l l e g a n o r Lenawee County DELTA OTSEGO MONTMOR, A L P E N A LA K C (KALKASKA C R A W F D OSCODA ALC O N A MISSAUKEE ROSCOM . OGEM AW IOSCO A K C N AC OSCEOLA CLARE MECOSTA ISABELLA MIDLAND BAY TUSCOLA SAN ILA C GRATIOT OTTAWA CLINTON SHIAWA. OAKLAND INGHAM kalaMa C A SS 132 \CALNOUN BRANCH JACK SON HILLSDALE LIYINGSTN LIST OF REFERENCES A g r i c u l t u r e Computer Guide and D i r e c t o r y . 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