APEN Conversations (formerly Book Club)

APEN Conversations is for APEN members, timed to compliment the APEN webinars and ExtensionChat.

We will get together to review how selected papers or ideas can be applied to our extension programs in interactive virtual discussions. The regional coordinators will take turns facilitating the Conversations.

APEN Conversations will be held 12pm AEDT or AEST (when there is no daylight saving) for up to an hour.

Interested in joining? Just click on the date to register!

The remaining 2023 dates are:

October 20th
The role of AI in agricultural extension facilitated by Callen Thompson - New South Wales/ Australian Capital Territory - Central Regional Coordinator.

Artificial Intelligence is a tool that all industries are starting to use, so can it be a useful tool in extension? When I asked Chat GTP “what role does AI have in agricultural extension?” this was one of the answers:

AI can offer personalized recommendations to farmers based on their specific conditions and needs. For instance, AI systems can suggest suitable crop varieties, planting techniques, and irrigation schedules based on the farmer's location and available resources.

This sounds a lot like what I do!

There are some who think that AI may take our jobs or lead to miss information. Others see it as an opportunity to speed up the process of developing the content that we use and give more farmers access to good advice and assistance with decision making. What do you think?

Please read this article for the webinar. (written by Chat GPT)

December 12th TBC- presented by Ossie

After you register you will be sent the background reading or papers and the Zoom invitation.

If you would like further details on APEN Conversations, or would like to present or have a suggestion for a suitable topic, please get in contact with the APEN Stakeholder Engagement Chair- Noel on na.director@apen.org.au

A link to the recording from the APEN Conversations will be listed below following the event

Previous APEN Conversations:

APEN Conversations 2023- 24 July, 12pm AEDT - Facilitator: Noel Ainsworth, QLD - Regional Coordinator (r c.qld@apen.org.au )

This month APEN examined the value of using virtual team-building activities to promote engagement of geographically dispersed work teams. How to plan and deliver this to build engagement without it appearing trite is the trick. Click here to watch the video recording.

2024 APEN Conversations:

APEN Conversations Facilitator: Sarah Thompson, VIC - Regional Coordinator (r c.vic@apen.org.au )

We’re coming together again to exchange ideas and experience in this APEN Conversation. This month we will examine the challenges with engagement and how can we capture our audience’s attention in such a busy world.

We’re coming together again to exchange ideas and experience in this month’s APEN Conversations.

If you have an idea for a paper to review in a future APEN conversation, please let us know at na.director@apen.org.au