EXTENSION EDUCATION P r o c e s s   a n d   P r a c t i c e

One of the unique features of nonformal education is the large array of methods that can be used for delivering educational programs. Thus the Extension educator has many options that can be used in structuring effective program delivery systems.

The selection of delivery methods for a program delivery system should be based on the needs and preferences of the targeted audience and the specific educational purpose. For example, if the objective is to make the general population aware of some innovation, the delivery system might employ several mass media—such as radio, television, newspapers, and magazines—or other methods that can be expected to reach large numbers of people. On the other hand, if the objective is to provide information to targeted clientele who are prepared to test an innovation, the delivery system should emphasize experiential learning methods. Among the experiential methods for which Extension clientele have indicated a preference are workshops, demonstrations, video cassettes, tours, on-farm tests, and field days.

Some delivery methods have multiple uses and can be employed effectively at more than one stage in a program delivery system. Although some methods may be more useful than others, it should be recognized that in most cases it will be necessary to employ more than one method to achieve significant results. Thus when individual methods are selected as components of a program delivery system, each method should be expected to achieve a purpose in reaching the overall educational objective. For example, a public assembly could open with a symposium in which a few knowledgeable individuals provide information during relatively brief consecutive presentations. Then, if time is available, these individuals could serve as a panel to discuss and clarify the information presented. An alternative is to provide an open discussion period, or forum, at the conclusion of the symposium. This discussion period allows members of the audience to participate and to express their opinions or to ask questions of program participants or of each other.

Additional supporting information or clarification could be provided by means of fact sheets and other publications, collaborative analysis of data or results, and other delivery methods that provide learner reinforcement. The information presented could also be reinforced or clarified by giving program participants video cassettes and audio cassettes that they can use for home study. These cassettes could provide the learners opportunities to gain greater understanding of the information presented and assist them in applying that information to their own situations. In this example, the methods used are a symposium, forum, panel, fact sheet or other publication, analysis of data results, videocassettes, and audiocassettes. As demonstrated, adequate planning combined with creativity in selecting delivery methods provides a systematic design for effectively providing educational opportunities for our targeted audiences. In choosing methods to use in a delivery system, be sure to include enough methods to convey the desired content and accomplish the educational objectives.

A Program Delivery System

A program delivery system is a planned and organized structure of individual program delivery methods that have been chosen for a specific educational purpose and are appropriately integrated to accomplish an educational objective. Extensive learning research has consistently shown that learners need and want to gain some type of experience with new information as well as to be supported and reinforced in the learning process. In the process of receiving information, gaining experience with it, and being reinforced in the learning process, learners need to assimilate or integrate the new information with knowledge they already possess. Thus to promote effective and efficient learning, a delivery system should include methods, whenever possible, that (1) provide desired experiential opportunities for the learner, (2) reinforce the learner, and (3) provide opportunities for the learner to integrate new information with existing knowledge and skills.

In a program delivery system, the methods considered experiential are those that allow the learner to gain experience with or to "feel" the information presented. This experience may occur through physical activity or it may involve the senses, emotions, or social interaction, depending on the content of the educational program.

Reinforcement delivery methods provide informational, emotional, or social support for the learner to facilitate learning and enhance or maintain the motivation to continue in the learning process.

Program delivery methods that provide the learner opportunities to discuss, clarify, or otherwise gain greater understanding of new information can be classified as integrative methods. These methods generally provide opportunities for learners to merge new information with their existing knowledge.

Table 1. Program Delivery Methods in Extension Education

• the targeted audience
  
• the educational objective
  
• the type and content of the message being provided
  
• the characteristics of the delivery method
  
• the method's utility for providing desired learning support
  
  

• Audiocassette — recorded audio messages that can be listened to at the convenience of the learner.
  
• Videocassette — A recording on videotape that can provide both visual and audio information.
  
• Interactive video — An electronic system with which the learner can interact to obtain information through both video and audio means.
  
• Audio compact disk — A small, thin disk used for recording and playing back large quantities of audio information.
  
• Video compact disk — A small, thin, disk capable of recording and playing back video and audio information.
  
• Method demonstration — An explanation of how to implement a practice or accomplish a task by showing a practical application or guiding the learner in carrying out the task.
  
• Result demonstration — A presentation that shows the effects of a practice change or task by means of practical application, using visual, experiential, or oral methods; it usually involves a before-and-after comparison.
  
• On-farm test — A process in which an innovative practice or solution to a problem is tested on an actual farm todemonstrate its viability or to test its applicability; the test may employ before-and-after, control-versus-test, or other comparisons.
  
• Tour — Travel by a group of learners to places of defined interest to study innovations, systems, objects, demonstrations, applied creative programs, or other items that may be unfamiliar to participants.
  
• Field day — A planned activity of one-day duration in an outdoor setting for demonstrations; observation of programs, practices, activities, or objects; presentations; or practical experiences.
  
• Workshop — A meeting in which a small group of people with common interests meet to study or research a specific topic or to practice a specific skill to enhance their individual knowledge and proficiency.
  
• Analysis of data or results — Evaluation, use, or presentation of new or existing data to explain or predict the impact of a practice, innovation, input change, or changing conditions and circumstances.
  
• Game — A simulation or fantasy in which learners explore or experience a subject, opportunities, or implications.
  
• Skit — A short, planned, rehearsed, dramatic presentation involving two or more persons designed to present information or illustrate a situation.
  
• Networking — The sharing or exchanging of information through deliberate action on the part of one or more individuals by means of collaborative linkages with other individuals, groups, or organizations.
  
• Role play — An exercise in which selected members of a group are assigned to play specific roles in a hypothetical or simulated situation followed by discussion among all group members.
  
• Case study — A specific and detailed description of an event, situation, or circumstance that is presented to an audience for study and analysis.
  

• Fact sheet — A publication of six pages or fewer focused on a single subject or a component of a broader topic that presents instructions, guidelines, or other specific information.
  
• Notebook — A compilation of fact sheets or other printed information pertaining to a specific topic.
  
• Leaflet or flier — Brief, concise printed information focused on a specific program, objective, current event, or other activity and designed to create or enhance awareness.
  
• Pamphlet or booklet — A printed publication that provides more comprehensive information on a subject than a fact sheet, leaflet, or flier.
  
• Magazine article — A means of presenting information to selected audiences via a printed mass medium. Designed to improve understanding of a subject; often accompanied by pictures, graphs, and charts for clarity.
  
• Journal article — A means of presenting scientific, theoretical, or philosophical information in a professional journal.
  
• Specialty publication article — The presentation of information in a periodical that focuses on a specific discipline, commodity, audience, or subject matter.
  
• Poster — A large, printed sheet intended for display and containing words, illustrations, or both to provide general or specific information for broad or targeted audiences.
  
• Book — A comprehensive, bound publication that usually provides thorough treatment of a subject or presentation of a story.
  
• Fax message — Printed information electronically transmitted between two or more points by means of a facsimile machine.
  
• Computer software — A set of instructions, or program, that enables a computer to be used to provide educational information, to transmit communications, or to aid in decision making.
  
• Newsletter — A printed instrument developed for a targeted audience that is intended to provide timely information of current potential interest to the readers.
  
• Letter — A written message intended for a single individual, usually transmitted in person or by a delivery service such as the U.S. Postal Service or an electronic mail system.
  
• Home study kit — A collection of educational materials created or assembled for independent study on a specific subject.
  

• Conference — A meeting of a large or small group of people having similar interests for formal presentations to the entire group and for smaller group sessions that focus on specific components of the general topic.
  
• Convention — An assembly of a large number of people who have similar interests and who represent subsets of a larger organization. Multiple planned meetings of subgroups occur simultaneously at least part of the time during the event.
  
• Seminar — A meeting in which a group of people who are studying a specific subject engage in discussions led by a recognized authority.
  
• Panel — A discussion among a small group of people who are knowledgeable about a subject conducted in front of an audience. Panel members make no formal presentation; they exchange ideas through conversation.
  
• Forum — A form of group discussion that allows audience members to participate. The discussion period may be completely open or restricted to a specific part of the program.
  
• Meeting — An assembly of people at which information on a topic of common interest is presented.
  
• Symposium — An assembly in which short presentations are made by a small number of speakers who are knowledgeable about a particular subject. These presentations may range from 5 to 20 minutes each.
  
• Colloquy — A gathering at which a panel of individuals discuss a subject in front of an audience but interact with audience members only when those members wish to ask a specific question or clarify a point under discussion. When a particular point is resolved, the organized discussion among panel members continues.
  
• Dialogue — A discussion between two people conducted in front of an audience.
  
• Institute — A planned series of sessions of one or more days each for in-depth presentations and significant study by individuals who hold similar interests.
  
• Buzz group — A group of five to eight persons who discuss relevant questions posed by the leader of a larger group assembly.
  
• Discussion Group — An informal meeting of people to discuss a topic of mutual concern.
  
• Brainstorming — A process in which members of an audience are encouraged to participate by sharing their ideas or suggestions on a subject. No discussion of each point is allowed until all ideas have been expressed.
  
• Audience reaction team — Three members of the audience preselected to respond to the information presented by offering a brief summary and interpretation. The team provides an opportunity for group reaction or response when the audience is large or time is limited.
  
• Listening team — A small group formed from members of an audience before a presentation and asked to listen for different things in the presentation and then to discuss or clarify how the information could be applied.
  
• Interview — A face-to-face meeting in which facts and beliefs are elicited or exchanged.
  
• Teleconferencing — The process by which three or more individuals at distant locations are connected by two-way audio signals or audio and video signals for the purpose of exchanging information and ideas.
  
• Telephone conversation — An electronic means for direct sharing of information between two people at distant locations by voice transmission.
  
• Computer network — The linking of three or more computers for the purpose of sharing and exchanging information. The linkage may be restricted to the computers on the local network or may extend to other information sources over a wide area.
  
• Satellite conferencing — A teleconferencing method that uses both audio and video signals transmitted via cable or satellite for the purpose of conferring, instructing, and disseminating information among people at distant locations.
  
• Personal visit — A face-to-face exchange of information between two or more people, usually at the location of the person or persons receiving the information.
  
• Office visit — A face-to-face exchange of information among two or more people, usually at the location of the information provider.
  

• Broadcast television — A means of providing audio and visual messages to mass audiences within a broad reception area by means of a central transmitting station and individual receivers at the location of each audience member.
  
• Cable television — A system in which television signals are distributed through an electronic cable to those who subscribe to the service, usually restricted to a relatively small geographic area. This feature makes it possible to transmit information selectively to a defined audience.
  
• Radio — A means of providing information to mass audiences via sound messages communicated through a central transmitting station and individual receivers at the location of each audience member.
  
• Newspaper — A printed periodical publication, usually issued daily or weekly, that provides information directed to a broad audience within a specific geographical region.
  
• Movie (film) — The recording of audio and visual images on film in a way that allows information to be presented in real-life-paced motion.
  
• Film strip — A system for presenting a series of images structured in a specific order on 35-millimeter film to be projected for viewing by a group.
  
• Slide-tape presentation — A system in which 35-millimeter slides are projected in synchronization with an audio tape to provide simultaneous audio and visual information.
  
• Photograph — A print image used to provide visual information.
  
• Bulletin board — A physical medium to which messages can be attached to provide information to anyone who notices.
  
• Show — An event in which experiences or information is transferred to specific audiences or to the general public via exhibits, competitions, demonstrations, or other items or activities.
  
• Fair — A planned event for a large audience for the purpose of exhibiting, observing, buying, selling, entertaining, educating, or informing.
  
• Exhibit — A display of materials or objects designed to inform.
  
• Lecture — An oral presentation, usually formal in nature, to a group by an individual highly knowledgeable about the subject.
  
• Speech — A formal presentation of information or opinions by an individual to a group; it does not necessarily involve any further interaction between the speaker and the audience.
  
• Teletip message — An informative audio message on a single topic accessed by individuals through the telephone by dialing a toll-free number.
  
• Church bulletin — A means for providing brief printed information to limited audiences.
  
• Puppet — A means of presenting information via the performance of inanimate fictional         characters.
  
• Comics — The use of cartoons to attract attention, create interest, or provide information. This method is especially useful for special or handicapped audiences.
  
• Novelty items — Presentation of a brief message printed on objects such as key chains, pencils, canes, caps, cups, or other similar items.