With an increasing dependence on technology for delivering volunteer training and client programs within Extension, it is essential to assess the tech savviness of both volunteers and paid personnel. Paid personnel often express frustration over volunteers’ lack of technological skill, while volunteer skills can also far surpass that of the personnel’s skill level. These situations can lead to mistrust and missed opportunities for both personnel and volunteers alike. To assess technology skills (tech savviness) among personnel and volunteers, a random sample (n=572) of Extension personnel (agents, staff, AmeriCorps members, and county coordinators) and volunteers (Extension Master Gardeners and 4-H volunteers) were asked to provide subjective assessment of their technology skills as well as that of their counterparts (i.e., volunteers self-assessed their program coordinators, while paid personnel assessed that of their volunteers). Respondents then completed a 10-question technology skills quiz for an objective measure of skills. Questions included keyboard shortcuts, trouble-shooting scenarios, use of computer and social media applications, as well as hardware and basic equipment set-up. Results confirmed that there is a significant difference between actual and perceived volunteer and personnel technology skills, though overall scores reflect a need for continued technology skill-development for both volunteers and personnel.
