Behaviour types to adapt new ideas and technology in extension

Here are some common behavior types that can help individuals adapt to new ideas and technology in an extension setting:

1. Early Adopters: These individuals are eager to try new things and are often the first to adopt new ideas and technology. They are willing to take risks and are open to learning from their experiences.
2. Innovators: Innovators are individuals who are always looking for new and better ways to do things. They are often the ones who come up with new ideas and are willing to take calculated risks to implement them.
3. Early Majority: The early majority are individuals who are more cautious than early adopters but are still willing to try new things. They are influenced by the experiences of early adopters and are more likely to adopt new ideas and technology once they have been proven to be effective.
4. Late Majority: The late majority are individuals who are more resistant to change and are only willing to adopt new ideas and technology once they have been widely accepted and proven to be effective.
5. Laggards: Laggards are individuals who are resistant to change and are often the last to adopt new ideas and technology. They may be skeptical of new ideas and prefer to stick with what they know and are comfortable with.

In an extension setting, understanding these behavior types can help educators and researchers develop effective strategies for promoting the adoption of new ideas and technology. For example:

• Early adopters and innovators may be targeted with early access to new technology or training programs to help them become ambassadors for the new idea or technology.
• The early majority may be targeted with demonstrations or trials of new technology to help them become comfortable with the idea.
• The late majority may be targeted with more formal training programs or workshops to help them understand the benefits and limitations of new technology.
• Laggards may be targeted with one-on-one coaching or mentoring to help them overcome their resistance to change.

Additionally, understanding these behavior types can also help extension professionals to:

• Develop targeted marketing and outreach strategies to reach different segments of the audience
• Design training programs and materials that are tailored to the needs and preferences of different behavior types
• Identify and address potential barriers to adoption and implementation
• Develop strategies to build trust and credibility with different segments of the audience

Overall, understanding the different behavior types can help extension professionals to develop more effective strategies for promoting the adoption of new ideas and technology, and to better serve the needs of their audience.