Fisheries Extension Education (2+1)

2.1.3 Classification of Extension Teaching Methods 

Teaching methods are the tools in the hands of extension worker for transfer of new technology.  A whole range of extension teaching methods are available, that can serve different purposes. Broadly, such methods may be classified in three ways viz.,

1.According to use

2.According to form and

3.According to function

The details of this classification are furnished below.

According to use

One way of classifying the extension teaching methods is according to their use and the nature of contact.  In other words, whether they are used for contacting people individually or in groups or in masses. Based upon the nature of contact, they are divided into individual, group and mass contact methods.

Individual contact	Group contact	Mass contact
Farm and home visit	Method demonstration	Print media
Phone calls	Group discussion	Radio and Television
Personal letters	All types of meetings	Exhibitions
Office calls	Training courses	Posters and charts
Result demonstration	Tours	Films
	Drama and puppetry	Campaigns
	Tom-tom	Tele text and video text
	Video lessons	Tele conferencing
	Computer multimedia	Video conferencing

According to form

Extension teaching methods are also classified according to their forms such as written, spoken and audio-visual.

Written	Spoken	Audio-Visual
All the printed materials	All types of meetings	Demonstrations
Personal letters	Farm and home visits	Exhibitions
Circular letters	Office calls	Posters and charts
Telephone calls	Meetings	TV telecast
	Tom-tom	Audio - visual aids
	Radio talk	Film shows
		Drama and puppetry
		Computer multimedia
		Video
		Internet

According to Function

Telling	Showing	Doing
Lecture	Written words	Demonstrations
Conference	Pictures	Guide experience
Panel and forum	Posters and charts	Do it yourself
Audio recordings	Exhibitions
Farm and home visits	Demonstrations
Radio talks	Tours
Public speaking	Computer multimedia
Tom-tom	Internet
	Video text and tele text

Though extension teaching methods are classified on various criteria , classification according to use is widely followed for discussing different teaching methods , that is - individual , group and mass contact methods. The individual contact methods are those methods in which the extension agent deals with farmers on a one-to-one basis . The group method is one in which the agent brings the farmers together in one form or another in order to undertake his extension work. In mass contact methods, the extension worker is able to contact a mass of farmers spread over in different geographic regions simultaneously. Each of these methods demands different approaches and techniques on the part of the extension worker.