Module 3. Extension learning and teaching process
Lesson 10
EXTENSION TEACHING METHODS
10.1 Introduction
Extension teaching methods are the tools & techniques used to create situations in which communication can take place between the rural people & the extension professionals. These are the methods of imparting new knowledge & skills to the rural people by drawing their attention towards such technologies, thereby arousing their interest and helping them to have a successful experience of the new practice. A proper understanding of these methods and their selection for a particular type of work is necessary.
10.2 Classification of Extension Teaching Methods
10.2.1 According to use
One way of classifying the extension methods is according to their use & nature of contact vis-a-vis interpersonal, group and mass communication. Based upon the nature of contact, they are classified into following categories:
10.2.1.1 Individual-contact methods
Extension methods under this category provide opportunities for face-to-face or person-to-person contact between the rural people and the extension professionals. These methods are very effective in teaching new skills and creating goodwill between farmers and the extension professionals.
10.2.1.2 Group-contact methods
Under this category, the rural people or farmers are contacted in a group which usually consists of 20 to 25 persons. These groups are usually formed around a common interest. These methods also involve a face-to-face contact with the people and provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas, for discussions on problems and technical recommendations. In this way, the future course of action is finalized.
10.2.1.3 Mass or community-contact methods
An extension professional has to approach a large number of people for disseminating information and helping them to use it. This can be done through mass-contact methods conveniently. These methods are more useful for making people aware of the new technologies, quickly.
Table 10.1 Classification of extension-teaching methods according to their use
|
Individual contacts |
Group contacts |
Mass contacts |
|
Farm & home visits |
Method and result demonstration |
Print media (viz. Newspapers, magazines, leaflets, posters, pamphlets, circular letters bulletins) |
|
Office calls |
Group meetings, discussions |
Electronic media (viz. Radio, television, cell-phones) |
|
Telephone calls |
Conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. |
Internet-based media |
|
Personal letters |
Field trips, field days, campaign |
Exhibitions, dairy mela |
10.2.2 According to form
Extension teaching methods are also classified according to their forms, such as written, spoken & audio-visual. Some of the important methods under each of these 3 categories are listed in table 10.2.
Table 10.2 Classification of extension-teaching methods according to their form
|
Written |
Spoken |
Object or visual |
|
Bulletins |
General & special meetings |
Result demonstrations |
|
Leaflets, folders, news articles |
Farm & home visits |
Demonstration plots |
|
Personal letters |
Official calls |
Motion-pictures or movies, charts |
|
Circular letters |
Telephone calls, radio |
Slides & film-strips, models, exhibits |
A brief description of some of the extension methods which are commonly used by extension professionals is given below:
10.2.2.1 Farm & home visit
Farm & home visit constitutes the direct or face-to-face contact by an extension professional with the farmer or the members of his family. During these visits, information is exchanged or discussed. The visits may be to get acquainted with the problems of the farmers. Such visits provide an opportunity for a two-way communication.
10.2.2.2 Method demonstration
It is used to show the technique of doing things or carrying out new practices e.g. clean milk production, paneer making, ghee making, etc. This method is usually used for groups of people.
10.2.2.3 Result demonstration
Result demonstration is meant for proving the advantages of recommended practices and to demonstrate their applicability to the local conditions. It is conducted by a farmer under the direct supervision of an extension professional. It is designed to teach others, in addition to the person who conducts the demonstration. It helps the farmers to learn by seeing & doing. This method can be used to show the superiority of practices, such as dahi culture, value addition, hygienic handling of animals, etc.
10.2.2.4 Group discussion
All the farmers cannot be contacted by extension professionals individually because of their large number. It is convenient & feasible to contact them in groups. This method is commonly known as group discussion. It is used to encourage & stimulate the people to learn more about the problems that concern the community through discussion. It is a good method of involving the local people in developing local leadership & in deciding on a plan of action in a democratic way.
10.2.2.5 Exhibition
An exhibition is a systematic display of information, actual specimens, models, posters, photographs, and charts, etc. in a logical sequence. It is organised for arousing the interest of the clientele in the things displayed. It is one of the best media for reaching a large number of people, especially illiterate & semi-literate people. Exhibitions are used for a wide range of topics, such as planning a model village, showing high-yielding breeds of cattle and buffaloes, new agricultural implements and the best products of village industries.
10.2.2.6 Campaign
Campaign is used to focus the attention of the people on a particular problem, e.g. milk adulteration, vaccination and prevention of animal diseases, tick control etc. Through this method, maximum number of farmers can be reached in the shortest possible time. It builds up community confidence and involves the people emotionally in a programme.
10.2.2.7 Field tour
Conducted tours for farmers are used to convince them and to provide them with an opportunity of seeing the results of new practices and products, skills, etc. and to give them an idea regarding the suitability & application of these things in their own area. Such tours may also be arranged to enable the rural people to visit places & institutions (connected with the problems of rural life), such as research institutions, training institutions, agricultural universities, model villages, areas of advanced developments, leading private farms, exhibitions, and agricultural & cattle fairs/dairy mela.
10.2.2.8 Print media
Newspapers, magazines, bulletins, leaflets, folders, pamphlets and wall news-sheets are another set of mass media for communicating information to a large number of literate people. They are used for communicating general & specific information on a programme of technology or a practice. Small folders, leaflets & pamphlets are used to give specific recommendations about a practice, such as clean milk production, vaccination schedule, detection of milk adulterants, etc.
10.2.2.9 Radio
It is one of the most powerful media of communication. It is a mass medium of communication and can reach a large number of people at any given time involving the least expense. Extension professionals use the radio for communicating information on new methods & techniques, giving timely information about the control of animal diseases such as foot & mouth disease (FMD), animal pests, weather, market news, etc. For this purpose, talks, group discussions, folk-songs, dialogues & dramas are usually broadcast. There are radio programmes broadcast by All India Radio (AIR), FM (frequency modulated) radio, community radio, etc.
10.2.2.10 Television
It combines both audio & visual impact and is very suitable for the dissemination of agriculture & dairy information. It is more useful in teaching to do a specific job. A beginning has been made in India for using this medium for development programmes and it is expected that its use will become more extensive in the coming years. At present, along with the Government-owned channel (Doordarshan), several other private channels are telecasting various kinds of entertainment and developmental programmes to reach the viewers.
10.2.2.11 Leaflet
A leaflet is a single sheet of paper used to present information on only one developmental idea in a concise manner, using simple language.
10.2.2.12 Folder
A folder is a single piece of paper folded once or twice, and, when opened, the material is presented in sequence.
10.2.2.13 Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides, printed in colours with action photographs, giving full information about a topic in greater length than in folders or leaflets.
10.2.2.14 Bulletin
A bulletin is a publication of around 20 pages, with the primary objective of giving complete information which the intended readers can apply to their own situation.
10.2.2.15 Booklet
When the extension material exceeds 20 pages and is less than 50 pages, it is called booklet.