Technology stewardship training for agricultural communities of practice: Establishing a participatory action research program in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper reports on a technology stewardship training program to promote ICT leadership development with agricultural extension practitioners in Sri Lanka. Technology stewardship is an approach adapted from the communities of practice literature that recognizes the importance, practically and ethically, of guiding change from within a community. The technology steward’s role in development is not to impose ICT solutions on a community of practice but instead to empower members as part of a “change through choice” strategy, with the end goal of improving the informational capabilities of the community. Researchers assessed the training program using a multimethod approach with a single embedded case study. Data were collected using a pre-course survey, formal course evaluation, classroom observation, and semi-structured interviews with participants. Findings from this study show a positive response to technology stewardship training among agricultural extension practitioners in the course, that learning objectives of the course are achievable when offered as an in-service training program, that self-confidence with ICT is improved, and that some participants applied their learning in a post-course activity. This study contributes to a better understanding of the role of social learning to foster change in ICT practices among communities of practice in agricultural extension services, and in contributing to effective use of ICT for development more broadly.