Module 3. Extension learning and teaching process
Lesson 9
TEACHING PROCESS IN EXTENSION
9.1 Introduction
'Teaching' is the process of arranging situations in which the things to be learnt are brought to the notice of the learners, their interest is developed & desire aroused, i.e. they are stimulated to act. For example, if we want to teach the dairy farmers the use & advantages of milk processing (Paneer), we do this by conducting demonstrations at the household levels, showing them how to boil the milk and at what temperature citric acid is to be added, etc. Then, comparison of the selling cost of paneer and raw milk is to be done to make them understand its benefits. After seeing the beneficial effect of a paneer, the farmer is convinced & motivated for action to start the processing of milk.
9.2 Teaching in Extension
The development and progress that we aim for is based on what we know, what we think, what we actually did, and what we can do with our physical, technological and human resources. To progress, we must not stop at the present conditions of living and must take the necessary actions to improve them on a sustainable basis. In this process, we must identify and perpetuate only the useful and successful developmental initiatives from the past, exercise concern only for the promising developmental ideas in the present, and focus on all of these practices on achieving a better and sustainable development for the future. Thereby, we gain the ability to substitute the 'good and new' developmental ideas with the 'old and outdated' through learning. Thus, learning is most effective when done under organized teaching.
Teaching is defined as an interactive process primarily involving classroom talk, which takes place between teacher and pupil, and occurs during certain definable activities (Amidon, 1963).
9.3 Steps of Teaching
Teaching, in the context of extension and development, can be thought of as providing purposeful direction through learning process. Teaching per se is not giving knowledge or skills to people or communities, instead teaching is the process of providing opportunities to people or communities to produce relatively permanent change through their engagement in learning experiences that are provided by teachers.
Fig. 9.1 Steps in extension teaching (Wilson and Galup, 1955)
9.3.1 Attention
Attention is the starting point to arouse the interest of the learners. Research suggests that the attention of people is attracted by various senses in the following proportions (Reddy, 1998):
Table 9.1 Attention of people through various sense organs
The famous extension saying is, seeing believes. Thus, seeing and hearing are the major senses involved to attract attention and enhanced learning.
9.3.2 Interest
Once attention is captured, instructors and/or extension professionals can bring the audience's attention to developmental needs and arouse their interest in further consideration of ideas. Extension professionals should make them understand how development contributes to the overall well-being of the community.
9.3.3 Desire
It concerns about the continuation of the audience's interest in the developmental ideas or better practices, until that interest becomes a desire, or, a motivating force.
9.3.4 Conviction
In this step, people know what action is necessary and just how to take that action. Extension professionals also ensure that people visualize the action in terms of their own situations and acquire confidence in their own ability to participate in the people-centred developmental initiatives.
9.3.5 Action
Unless this conviction is converted into action, the efforts of extension for development will go unrewarded. It is the job of extension professionals to make it easy for the people to act. For example, if the adoption of a new high yielding cattle breed is the action needed by farmers, that breed should be made available within the reach of farming communities, along with other recommended package of practices. If the action does not quickly follow desire and conviction, the new idea may fade away. Therefore, this phase should never be ignored.
9.3.6 Satisfaction
Satisfaction is the end product of extension teaching process. Follow up action(s) by extension professionals helps people to learn and evaluate the development progress. The saying, satisfied customer is the best advertisement, also applies to extension and development work. Satisfaction helps the people to continue developmental work with increased attention, interest, desire, conviction and action.
The six steps in teaching discussed as above, often blend with each other. As an extension professional, you need to arrange the learning situations in all the six teaching steps with the help of suitable extension teaching methods and audio-visual aids. Various teaching methods and audio-visual aids are not equally suited for every step in teaching. Every method and aid under certain circumstances makes a contribution to each step. It depends on the extension professional how he handles the situation.