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AEM503Agricultural Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Diffusion And Adoption Of Innovation

This course provides a basic introduction to the processes of diffusion, adoption, and innovation. It explores the characteristics of innovation, rates of adoption, and adopter categories, as well as the roles of opinion leadership and change agents. The course aims to bridge the gap between research centers and farmers, focusing on effective communication and the practical application of improved agricultural technologies in rural areas. It also examines theoretical formulations and factors enhancing agricultural extension.

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130h
Study Time
13
Weeks
10h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
DiffusionAdoptionInnovationExtensionAgriculture

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Diffusion Process

2

Adoption Process

3

Innovation Characteristics

4

Opinion Leadership

5

Change Agents

6

Agricultural Extension

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Agricultural Extension Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Rural Development Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Maker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Project Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureRural DevelopmentGovernmentNon-profit

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Unit 1: Definition of Diffusion, Innovation and Adoption

1h

Unit 1: Definition of Diffusion, Innovation and Adoption

1 study hours
  • •Read the definition of diffusion and understand its communication process.
  • •Differentiate between diffusion and adoption.
  • •Reflect on the role of diffusion in spreading new ideas.
Week
2

Unit 2: Elements of Diffusion

1h

Unit 2: Elements of Diffusion

1 study hours
  • •Enumerate the four main elements of diffusion: innovation, communication channels, time, and social system.
  • •Understand how each element plays a role in the adoption of innovations.
  • •Analyze the impact of social structure on information dissemination.
Week
3

Unit 3: Process of Adoption

1h

Unit 3: Process of Adoption

1 study hours
  • •Identify the five stages involved in the adoption process: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption.
  • •Discuss the activities and considerations at each stage.
  • •Relate the stages to real-world examples of technology adoption.
Week
4

Unit 4: Diffusion of Innovation

1h

Unit 4: Diffusion of Innovation

1 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of diffusion of innovation and its spread through a population.
  • •Discuss the stages involved in diffusion: innovators, early adopters, late adopters, and laggards.
  • •Analyze the factors influencing the rate of adoption.
Week
5

Unit 5: Innovation Model

1h

Unit 5: Innovation Model

1 study hours
  • •Explain the different types of innovation models, such as the Linear Model of Innovation.
  • •Understand the roles of various actors in the innovation process.
  • •Compare and contrast different models of innovation.
Week
6

Unit 6: The innovation Decision Process

1h

Unit 6: The innovation Decision Process

1 study hours
  • •Explain the innovation-decision process and its stages.
  • •Discuss the stages of the innovation-decision process: knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation.
  • •Analyze the factors influencing each stage.
Week
7

Unit 7: Characteristics of innovation

1h

Unit 7: Characteristics of innovation

1 study hours
  • •Identify the characteristics of innovation that influence adoption.
  • •Discuss the characteristics of innovation: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, divisibility and accessibility.
  • •Analyze how these characteristics affect the rate of adoption.
Week
8

Unit 8: Factors Determining the Rates of Adoption

1h

Unit 8: Factors Determining the Rates of Adoption

1 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of adoption rates and their measurement.
  • •Discuss the factors determining adoption rates: perceived characteristics, type of innovation-decision, communication channels, nature of the social system, and extent of change agent's promotion efforts.
  • •Analyze how these factors interact to influence adoption.
Week
9

Unit 9: Adopter categories

1h

Unit 9: Adopter categories

1 study hours
  • •Discuss different types of people in every community based on their reaction to changes.
  • •Differentiate between concepts pertaining to adoption among people: adoption rate, speed of adoption, and innovativeness.
  • •Explain the characteristics of different adopters categories: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards.
Week
10

Unit 10: Opinion leadership

1h

Unit 10: Opinion leadership

1 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of opinion leaders and their characteristics.
  • •Discuss the role of opinion leaders in adoption of innovation.
  • •Learn how to measure the opinion leadership of individuals.
Week
11

Unit 11: Change agents

1h

Unit 11: Change agents

1 study hours
  • •Define change agents and their functions in adoption of innovation.
  • •Discuss the characteristics and reasons for the change agents.
  • •Analyze the role of change agents in promoting innovation.
Week
12

Unit 12: Theoretical formulations on the diffusion of innovations

1h

Unit 12: Theoretical formulations on the diffusion of innovations

1 study hours
  • •Examine the formulation of theory on diffusion of innovations.
  • •Discuss the four theories on the diffusion of innovation: Innovation Decision Process theory, Individual Innovativeness theory, Rate of Adoption theory, and Perceived Attributes theory.
  • •Analyze the contributions of Everett Rogers to the field.
Week
13

Unit 13: Sectors related to differential rates of adoption of new Agricultural technology

2h

Unit 13: Sectors related to differential rates of adoption of new Agricultural technology

1 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of sectorial Differential Rates of Adoption of New Agricultural Technology.
  • •Discuss agricultural technology adaptation and appropriateness.
  • •Analyze the factors influencing technology adoption in different sectors.

Unit 14: Implication of these processes

1 study hours
  • •Explain the implication of Innovation-Decisions.
  • •Explain the consequences of Innovation-Decisions.
  • •Analyze the impact of innovation decisions on society.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review definitions of diffusion, adoption, and innovation (Unit 1).

2

Create diagrams illustrating the stages of adoption and diffusion (Units 3 & 4).

3

Compare and contrast the characteristics of different adopter categories (Unit 9).

4

Analyze case studies of successful and unsuccessful agricultural extension programs (Units 13 & 15).

5

Focus on understanding the roles of opinion leaders and change agents (Units 10 & 11).

6

Practice applying theoretical formulations to practical scenarios (Unit 12).

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