Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

SELECTION OF METHODS

• The selection of teaching method is based on the following criteria:
• The audience
  • Individual and collective differences
  • Size of the audience
    • Individual and collective differences
      • People vary greatly in their knowledge, attitudes, skill, age, education, income level, social status, religious belief etc.,
      • For instance, people with little or no education and low incomes may not respond well to print media. The better educated and the more progressive farmers usually respond well to methods like group meetings and discussions, exhibits and written materials.
    • Size of Audience
      • It is also a factor influencing the choice of extension methods. For instance, group discussion cannot be used effectively when the number of participants exceeds 30, method demonstration can be used for a relatively small audience, while lecture meetings can be used for large audiences.
• Teaching objective
  • The extension worker should keep in mind that, what type of change to bring in the audience - knowledge, skill or attitude?
  • To get change only in thinking - mass media can be used.
  • To get change in attitudes, group discussion or work through village leaders may be of use.
  • To get change in skill, method demonstration can be employed.
• The subject matter
  • When the new practice is simple or familiar, the news article or radio can be effectively used. Whereas complex or unfamiliar practices will require face to face contacts, written materials and audio-visual aids.
• The stage of development of extension organisation
  • In the initial stages of extension, result demonstrations will be necessary to gain confidence of farmers. But if extension work is already well established and the farmers have confidence in extension services, result demonstrations may not be necessary and local illustrations of adoption by village leaders will suffice.
• Size of extension staff
  • In relation to the size of clientele (livestock farmers), the larger the number of extension workers, the greater is the scope for direct or personal contact method
• Availability of certain communication media
  • Communication media such as news papers, telephones, radio etc., will also have a direct bearing on the extent to which these methods can be used.
• Relative cost of the method
  • The amount expended on extension teaching method in relation to the extent of practices changed is also an important consideration in their selection and use.
• Extension worker's familiarity
  • The skill level of extension worker in the use of the several extension methods will also influence his choice and use of the methods.