Extension Practice

Topic: Group extension

published - 30 January 2019
By Gavin Beever
Working with Groups – Group Establishment

Extension often involves working with groups of people.  As an extension professional, we use special skills to do so and these are things that can be developed and improved over time.  This article will provide things to consider to help you get the best out of other people and yourself, …
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Home, Methods & Tools, Resources

published - 30 September 2017
By Gavin Beever
Action Learning

(Image source, Wendy Brooks, 2016)
Action Learning is a theory and process developed by Professor Reg Revans (Revans, 1982). It is an excellent tool and process for Extension Professionals to facilitate groups (Action Learning “sets”) to tackle key problems or tasks that are complex in nature and don’t already have a solution. “Action …
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Home, Methods & Tools, Theory

published - 14 September 2017
By Gavin Beever
Ice Breakers for Group Extension

Ice breakers are an important component of group extension. They help build rapport, establish some common ground and make group members feel comfortable. They can be used to:

Effectively introduce a facilitator
Introduce and set the tone for an activity
Introduce people to each other
Set the scene for the day
“Warm up” participants
Break down barriers
Help …
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Home, Methods & Tools

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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Theory