Extension Practice

What is Extension?

A history in Australia

Performance Indicators and Benchmarking in Extension

Pareto's Law

To assist extension planning

Diffusion of Innovations Theory

Founded by Everett Rogers

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford

Learning Styles

Bennett's Hierarchy

Extension Program Evaluation Model

published - 30 July 2017
By Gavin Beever

Story Mapping

Story Mapping is a process that can be used to present extension information in a compelling way. It uses online maps to engage with a target audience and share extension messages with them online. It has a graphical and narrative approach, giving a multimedia experience to the user and does …
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New extension approaches, Story Maps

Methods & Tools

published - 15 July 2017
By Gavin Beever

The ORID Method (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive and Decisional)

The ORID method is a great way to structure a survey, interview, presentation or discussion. It can assist by taking participants through an experiential learning process. It helps them develop their thinking in a logical manner and then draw their conclusions in respect to the situation or topic in question. …
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Communication, experiential learning, ORID, Survey

Methods & Tools

published - 6 June 2017
By Gavin Beever

SWOT Analysis

SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis can be used in assessment and planning in any situation where there is a desired outcome or objective. Through the process you review your current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in respect to achieving the desired objectives. It can be used to review …
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Strategic planning, SWOT analysis

Home, Methods & Tools, Resources

published - 2 June 2017
By Gavin Beever

APEN

The Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) is the premier professional organisation for extension workers and those interested in extension in the Australasia-Pacific region.
Four hundred Extension Professionals are part of the network and the APEN website is here www.apen.org.au
APEN provides a range of networking and professional development opportunities for Extension Professionals. They …
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APEN, Conference, Professional development

Home, Methods & Tools, Resources, Theory

published - 1 June 2017
By Gavin Beever

Effective Presentations

Presenting well requires a set of skills and as such can be learned and continuously improved. This article provides key tips for designing and delivering effective presentations. It is designed to assist you with planning for and delivering presentations.
Preparing for success

Firstly, set clear objectives or learning outcomes for the audience you are …
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experiential learning, ORID, Presentation, Presenting skills

Home, Methods & Tools, Resources

published - 1 May 2017
By Gavin Beever

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford Learning Styles

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford recommend that to maximise personal learning, each learner ought to understand their own learning style and seek out opportunities to learn in their learning style. But they should also develop their learning capacity in other styles to become a more well-rounded learner. This increases versatility …
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Activist, Learning style questionnaire, Learning styles, Learning to learn, Pragmatist, Reflector, Theorist

Methods & Tools, Uncategorized

published - 1 May 2017
By Gavin Beever

Pareto’s Law

It is useful for Extension Professionals to consider Pareto’s Principle when planning and implementing extensions projects. Pareto’s Principle is often simplified to the 80/20 observation. It can be used to prioritise actions that will have the greatest effect.
Knowing that equal amounts of effort or inputs will not generate the same …
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80/20 Rule, Extension planning, Pareto's Law, Prioritise actions

Methods & Tools

published - 2 December 2016
By Gavin Beever

What is Extension?

Extension is the practice of transferring information, knowledge or skills that can assist individuals, families, communities, organisations or businesses achieve improved economic, social and environmental outcomes and create positive change. This article provides a brief history of Extension in Australia.
Agricultural extension is as old as the domestication of plants and …
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Extension, Extension Described, Extension Principles, History of Extension

Theory

published - 1 November 2016

Experiential Learning

David Kolb synthesised three models to develop key characteristics of experiential learning.
1)   The Lewinian Model
2)   The Dewey Model, and
3)   The Piaget Model
The Lewinian Model of Action Research and Laboratory Training believes learning is an integrated process involving a feedback loop amongst concrete experiences, observations and reflections, formation of abstract concepts …
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Action learning, Action learning cycle, Dewey model, experiential learning, Lewinian model, Piaget model

Theory

published - 1 October 2016

Participatory Research, Development and Extension – Sustainable Agriculture

Developed in the 1980s-1990s, Niels Roling argues for sustainable agricultural development practice (RD&E) to involve farmers in the R&D process as collaborators and driving the RD&E agenda, rather than simply being the end-users (i.e. A shift from a directive approach to participatory extension). Otherwise, Roling believed, there will be little change …
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Empowerment, Group extension, Interactive, Learning paths, Participatory approach, Social, Social transitions, Systems thinking

Theory

published - 1 October 2016

Balanced Scorecard

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) process can align operational activities with an organisation’s vision, improve internal and external communications, and monitor organisation performance against strategic goals. It is best considered a value-based strategic planning and management tool that can assist extension professionals and their client’s best consider what areas a business …
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Balanced Scorecard, Management tool, value-based strategic planning

Methods & Tools