Module 2: Overview of Extension

Methods and Tools

LECTURER GUIDE
Module 2: Overview of
Extension Methods and Tools
Pre-assessment
After reading through the module overview and introduction
complete the following pre-assessment in order to determine
how comfortable you are with the topic of extension. Rate your
knowledge on the topics on a scale of 1 to 5 by circling the
corresponding number.

Question Self-assessment
Low High
Are you familiar with the role of
extension in addressing the needs of
1 1 2 3 4 5
rural farmers and how it has developed
into the system as it is today?
Do you understand what it means to
2 be an extension professional and what 1 2 3 4 5
is required of you?
How familiar are you with the different
extension approaches and the
3 1 2 3 4 5
circumstances under which they are
applied?
Do you understand how reforms such
4 as decentralisation and privatisation 1 2 3 4 5
have affected extension practices?
Are you familiar with the different
types of extension tools as well as
5 1 2 3 4 5
the advantages and disadvantages of
each?

1
 Question Self-assessment
Low High
Are you comfortable in your ability to
correctly select tools and approaches
6 1 2 3 4 5
for any circumstances you may work
in?
Are you aware of scientific journals
7 and how they may assist you as an 1 2 3 4 5
extension practitioner?
Answer: Learner’s own answer.

2
Study unit 1: Innovation and
development in extension
Session 1.1: The value of extension
Activity 1.1 Individual activity: The role of value of
extension
Indicate whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Extension is a continually developing field constantly adapting
to the needs of rural producers. (2)
Answer: True.
2. The decentralisation of extension services has made public
extension services unnecessary. (2)

Answer: False.
3. Extension services are provided by a small number of
stakeholders.(2)
Answer: False.
4. Hundreds of thousands of extensionists operate across the
world improving the livelihoods of rural communities. (2)
Answer: True.
5. Extension programmes only ever show low rates of
return.(2)
Answer: False.
6. Extension programmes operate in only a small number of
countries.(2)

Answer: False.
 Total: 12 marks

3
 Session 1.2: Extension as a science
Activity 1.2 Individual activity: The scientific value of
extension
1. Connect the terms in column A to the appropriate description
in column B. (5)

A. Term B. Description
1. Extension a. An essential part of
maintaining the quality of
academic literature
2. Disciplines b. Forms part of the extension
science
3. Anthropology and sociology c. Different branches of
knowledge
4. Scientific method d. A branch of the social
sciences
5. Peer review e. The approach used to
gather information, test
hypotheses, observe, and
contribute new knowledge or
theory
Answer: 1.d, 2.c, 3.b, 4.e, 5.a.

 Total: 5 marks

4
Session 1.3: Extension as a profession
Activity 1.3 Individual activity: The Code of Conduct
Fill in the blanks using the provided words. (5)
1. A profession is a recognised body of practitioners with a
common body of ____1_____, a code of conduct, is governed
by a legal ____2____ , and may require formal registration
and continuous professional ____3____ .
2. The “________4________” is sworn by physicians to abide by
ethical conduct.
3. A code of conduct is not just good practice but may also form
part of the ______5______ of the profession.

A. Development, B. Legal Framework, C. Hippocratic Oath, D.

Knowledge, E. Framework
Answer:
1. Knowledge
2. Framework
3. Development
4. Hippocratic Oath
5. Legal framework

 Total: 5 marks

5
 Summative assessment: Unit 1
Complete the following questions.
1. Multiple choice questions. (12)

Select the most correct answer from those provided.

Question Answers
1. Extension includes A. Participatory research
B. Adult education
C. AKIS
D. AIS
E. All of the above
2. A professional association A. Can’t remove someone’s
qualification as a professional
in a field
B. Does not have any legal
framework
C. Allows for continual
development of members
D. Protects the public by
means of codes of conduct
and verified bodies of
knowledge
E. C and D
F. A and C

6
 Question Answers
3. Journal articles A. Require a postgraduate
qualification to contribute
B. Are peer reviewed
C. Are a major source
of information for many
professions
D. B and C
E. A and B
Answer: 1E, 2E, 3D.
2. Answer true or false to the following questions. If false, give
the correct explanation.
a. Extension services are exclusive to countries with high rural
poverty.(2)
Answer: False, extension services are active in most countries
and also involved with issues such as disease control and
conservation.
b. Input agencies, farmer organisations and NGOs are not
recognised as extension services. (2)
Answer: False, multiple types of extension service
providers exist.
c. Professions require a common body of knowledge
that informs and guides practice. (2)
Answer: True.
d. Extension is a long way from being recognised as a
profession.(2)
Answer: False, extensionists are already recognised in some
countries.

 Total: 20 marks
7
 Study Unit 2: Major extension
approaches and tools
Session 2.1: Evolution and features of extension
Activity 2.1 Individual activity: Extension Approaches
1. Complete the following table by matching column A to B. (5)

A. Approach B. Programme goal

1. Education approach a. FPNE model
2. Systems approach b. Non-formal learning approach
often with institutional support
3. Farmer participatory c. FSR/E model
extension
4. Transfer-of-technology d. Often focused on a specific
approach product
5. Commodity approach e. Green revolution effectively used
this approach
Answer: 1.b, 2.c, 3.a, 4.e, 5.d.
2. Answer true or false to the following statements. If you
answer false, give the correct explanation.
a. The commodity approach is a holistic approach to
extension.(2)
Answer: False, it is mostly focused on specific products.
b. The AIS and AKIS approaches do not share any
common features. (2)
Answer: False, the AIS approach is a more inclusive AKIS
approach.

8
 c. It is difficult to assess the long-term impact of the
farmer participatory extension approach. (2)
Answer: True.
d. The technology transfer approach has developed into a
more systems-orientated approach. (2)
Answer: True, see FSR/E model.
e. Extension approaches are focused only on local
farmers.(2)
Answer: False, extension approaches engage with multiple
stakeholders as can be seen in the systems approach.

 Total: 15 marks

9
 Session 2.2: Reforms in extension
Activity 2.2 Individual activity: Reform, privatisation, and
decentralisation
1. Match the terms in column A with the descriptions in
column B. (6)

A. Term B. Definition
1. Privatisation a. Transferring control of
programme planning and
management functions to other
private groups
2. Decentralisation b. Shifting of some or all of the
ownership and operational control
from government or central control
to the private sector
3. Pluralism c. Ensure that services are relevant
and responsive to local conditions
and meet actual user needs
4. Reforms d. The cooperation of various
extension services
5. Market-led e. Changes to processes and
institutions to improve a system
6. Policies f. Used to control the behaviour of
organisations
Answers: 1b, 2a, 3e, 4e, 5c, 6f.

 Total: 6 marks

10
Session 2.3: Features and purpose of major
extension tools
Activity 2.3 Individual activity: The features of major
extension tools
1. Match the approaches in column A with the programme goal in
column B.

A. Approach B. Programme goal

1. Farmer field schools a. One-on-one extension advice via
face-to-face, telephone, or Internet
2. Mass media b. Essentially an adult education,
participatory, group-based approach
good for teaching complex practices
3. Individual method c. Allows showcasing of crops or
practices in a farmer’s field, on a
research station, or at an agricultural
show
4. Demonstrations d. Can include leaflets, pamphlets,
posters, radio, television, websites
and text or audio messages, allowing
you to reach many people at little
cost
5. Video e. Visually effective but drawbacks
include the fact you require
equipment and power to view them
Answer: 1.b, 2.d, 3.a, 4.c, 5.e.

 Total: 5 marks

11
 Session 2.4: Selecting the appropriate
approaches and tools

Activity 2.4 Individual activity

Answer true or false to the following questions. If false, give the
correct explanation.
1. Literacy should not be a consideration in using mass media.(2)
Answer: False, the level of literacy influences the type and
implementation of mass media.
2. Budgets are set up during extension activities. (2)
Answer: False, budgets are set up before extension activities start.
3. Extension staff will need special competencies for some tools.
(2)
Answer: True.
4. If social capital is low, farmer field schools may not be a good
idea.(2)
Answer: True.
5. The socioeconomic situation of the community will not
affect the approaches and tools used. (2)
Answer: False, it is one of the most important aspects.
6. Sustainability requires empowerment. (2)
Answer: True, it builds capacity and social capital.
7. Extension is private with government no longer affecting tool
and approach selection. (2)
Answer: False, government extension services are important in
many countries and requires involvement in extension activities.

12
8. The increase in access to cell phones in many countries has
made social media a powerful tool for extension activities. (2)
Answer: True.

 Total: 16 marks

13
 Summative assessment: Unit 2
Complete the following questions.
1. Match the items in column A to those in column B. (20)

A. Approach B. Programme goal

1. Capacity a. Process by which the
results of a system or process
are evaluated in order to
improve the way it operates
2. Reforms b. Ensure the long-term
success of an extension
approach
3. Commodity approach c. Shifting of some or all of
the ownership and control
from government to the
private sector
4. Privatisation d. Used to teach practical
methods
5. Feedback system e. An action which improves
institutions or processes
through change
6. Mass media f. Requires planning, raising
awareness and building
capacity
7. Farmer field schools g. Refers to the training and
ability of individuals
8. Demonstrations h. Often focused on a specific
product

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 A. Approach B. Programme goal
9. Scalability i. A tool used to reach large
audiences
10. Sustainability j. Adult education,
participatory, group-based
approach

2. Select the best answer for the questions from the answers
provided.(10)
2.1. For small scale farmers requiring assistance in marketing
their products, one would use a/an:
a. Commodity approach
b. Systems approach
c. Educational approach
d. Any of the above
e. ‘a.’ and ‘c.’
Answer: d.
2.2. The educational approach:
a. Is exclusive to the United States.
b. Is done independently of private institutes and
research groups.
c. Uses non-formal learning to educate those often
lacking a formal education.
d. Is a linear approach.
e. Both ‘a.’ and ‘c.’
Answer: c.

15
 2.3. The AIS approach:
a. Is currently favoured by GFRAS and the World Bank.
b. Was developed independently from the AKIS approach.
c. Is an educational approach.
d. Both ‘a.’ and ‘b.’
e. Both ‘a.’ and ‘c.’
Answer: a.
2.4. Pluralism:
a. Allows for organisations to work independently of one
another.
b. Allows for the cooperation of multiple extension
providers.
c. Allows for operation without the need of government
agencies.
d. Is a market-led approach.
e. Both ‘b.’ and ‘c.’
Answer: b.
2.5. The use of farmer field schools:
a. Is focused on teaching simple skills.
b. Is focused on individual learning.
c. Is a a group-based participatory approach.
d. Both ‘a.’ and ‘b.’
e. Both ‘a.’ and ‘c.’
Answer: c.

 Total: 30 marks

16
Post-assessment
The post-assessment is to be done once you have read through
the module and completed all the activities. Compare your answers
to those in the post assessment to identify where knowledge
has been gained and where improvements can be made. Rate
your knowledge on the topics on a scale of 1 to 5 by circling the
corresponding number.

Question Self-assessment
Low High
Are you familiar with the role of
extension in addressing the needs of
1 1 2 3 4 5
rural farmers and how it has developed
into the system you see today?
Are you aware of scientific journals
2 and how they may assist you as an 1 2 3 4 5
extension practitioner?
Do you understand what it means to be
3 an extension professional and what is 1 2 3 4 5
required of you within this context?
How familiar are you with the different
4 extension approaches and the contexts 1 2 3 4 5
within which they are applied?
Do you understand how reforms such
5 as decentralisation and privatisation 1 2 3 4 5
have affected extension practices?
Are you familiar with the different
6 types of extension tools as well as the 1 2 3 4 5
advantages and disadvantages of each?

17
 Question Self-assessment
Low High
Are you comfortable in your ability to
correctly select tools and approaches
7 1 2 3 4 5
for any context you may find yourself
in?

Answer: Learner’s own answer.

18