Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

STEPS IN EXTENSION TEACHING

• In order to bring about desired changes in the behaviour of the people, the extension teacher should plan and arrange situations and activities whereby the things to be learned. Leagans defined teaching as the process of arranging situation in which the important things to be learned are called to the attention of the learners, their interest developed, desire aroused and action promoted. According to Wilson and Gallup (1955) the following are the steps in teaching learning process (AIDCAS).

Attention

• Farmers are not always aware of the improvements they can make as a result of research and experiences of other farmers. In such instances, the first task of the extension worker is to attract attention of the learner to the new and better ideas. Until the individual’s attention has been focused on the changes that are considered desirable, there is no recognition of a problem to be solved or want to be satisfied. Attention is the starting point to the arousing of interest.

Interest

• Once attention has been captured it becomes possible for the teacher to appeal to the basic needs or urges of the individual and arouses his interest in future consideration of the idea. Extension worker reveals how new practice will contribute to the farmer’s welfare. The message should be presented attractively but one idea at a time, which is definite and specific,is also important in building interest.
  

Desire

• The desire is concerned with the continued stimulation of learner’s interest in the idea or better practice, until that interest becomes a desire or motivating force. The extension worker explains to the farmer that the information applies directly to the farmer’s situation and by using this information helps in satisfying farmer’s needs.

Conviction

• Action follows when desire, conviction and prospect of satisfaction makes a person to act than not to act. The extension worker sees it that the learner knows what action is necessary, and just how to take that action. He also make sure that the learner visualizes the action in terms of his own peculiar situation and has acquired confidence in his own ability to do the things.

Action

• Unless conviction is converted into action, the efforts are fruitless. It is the job of extension worker to make it easy for the farmers to act. If a new idea or practice is recommended, the inputs required for this practice such as semen, medicines etc. should be available within the farmers’ reach (cost and distance). Necessary equipment should also be available. If action does not quickly follow, the new desire soon fades away and people continue as before.

Satisfaction

• The end product of the extension teaching effort is the satisfaction that comes to farmers through solving problem, meeting a need,acquiring a new skill etc. Follow up by the extension worker helps the farmers to learn to evaluate their progress and strengthens satisfaction. Satisfaction helps to continue their action with increased satisfaction. It is the motivating force to further learning. The extension teacher should consider the possibility of breaking down difficult job into smaller ones that are easier to complete. “A satisfied customer is the best advertisement” will also apply to the extension worker.
• The teacher has to arrange the learning situations in all the six teaching steps with the help of the extension teaching methods. Each method under certain circumstances makes a contribution to each step. It depends on the teacher how he handles the situation. The above six steps are often be blend with each other and lose their clear-cut identity. Of course,these steps are based on motivation.