The Integration of Distance Delivered Technology in Aquaculture Extension Education Programs

The Integration of Distance The Integration of Distance Delivered Technology in Delivered Technology in

Aquaculture Extension Education Aquaculture Extension Education ProgramsPrograms

Dr. Jerry D. GibsonDr. Jerry D. GibsonExtension Specialists, Program Extension Specialists, Program

and Staff Developmentand Staff DevelopmentVirginia Cooperative ExtensionVirginia Cooperative Extension

IntroductionIntroduction

1. The success of any Extension program is based upon the delivery system.

2. The success is based on the curriculum.

3. The success is based on the Teaching learning process of transfer of information.

How Do We Integrate Distance How Do We Integrate Distance Education into the Extension Education into the Extension

Aquaculture ProgramAquaculture Program??

1. Look at the needs of the clientele by conducting a situation analysis.

2. Design and implement the program.3. Evaluate the program.4. Utilize volunteers

VCE Agricultural Agents VCE Agricultural Agents Training ModulesTraining Modules

History of ExtensionHistory of Extension

We must look at where we have been before we can know where to go.

Better Farming SpecialBetter Farming Special

Better Farming SpecialBetter Farming Special

Effective Extension Effective Extension ProgrammingProgramming

VCEVCE

Effective Extension Effective Extension ProgrammingProgramming

1.What is a Program?2.What is Programming?3.What is Program Planning?4.What is an Activity?

VCE PROGRAMMING VCE PROGRAMMING MODELMODEL

VT Virginia Tech

What is a “ProgramWhat is a “Program”?”?

• Program refers to the product resulting from all activities in which a professional educator and learner are involved (Boyle 1981).

• VT Virginia Tech

What is Program What is Program Planning or Planning or

ProgrammingProgramming??• Program Planning is a process

designed to bring about effective programming.

• VT Virginia Tech

SHEEEP FACTORSSHEEEP FACTORSMustian, Liles, & Pettitt 1988Mustian, Liles, & Pettitt 1988

Extension exist around these 6 factor:1. Social2. Historical3. Economical4. Educational5. Emotional6. Political

What is the Role of an What is the Role of an Extension Specialist in Extension Specialist in

Designing and Implementing Designing and Implementing Programs?Programs?

1. Serve as a Resource to the Agent2. Both Technical and Educational

Process3. Va Tech and Virginia State

VT Virginia Tech

VCE Situation AnalysisVCE Situation AnalysisModuleModule Overview Overview

• The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) situation analysis module is organized in the following major sections:

Introduction – Highlights the importance of situation analysis as a process for cooperatively determining programs in an environment of heightened external accountability and scarce resources.

Four basic steps for Four basic steps for conducting situation conducting situation

analysis.analysis.

Step 1: 1.Organize for Action – Organizing for

action involves reviewing the role and importance of situation analysis in the Extension programming process, identifying the Extension Leadership Council’s (ELC) roles and responsibilities in the process, and preparing a time and task table for conducting the situation analysis.

Step 2:Step 2:

2. Develop a Unit Profile – The unit profile is a descriptive piece that is developed based on data gathered from a variety of sources. It provides a snapshot of the unit for program planners and residents indicating current baseline data to gauge the effectiveness of Extension educational programs.

Step 3:Step 3:

3. Assess Needs from a Community and Resident Perspective – After completing a unit profile, the next step is to assesspeoples’ knowledge, attitudes, and other perspectives on what issues and problems they think impact their lives both positively and negatively. Suggested methods to collect this type of data include issue forums, focus groups, key informant interviews, andcommunity surveys.

Step 4:Step 4:

4. Interpret Data and Decide on Program Direction – Once the ELC has developed a unit profile and assessed needs from a community and resident perspective, the final step is to interpret the data and decide on the direction in which Extension’s educational efforts will be focused.

SummarySummary

• The following questions drive this step:

1) What are the issues identified in the

situation analysis?, 2) What is Extension presently

doing?, 3) What issues are of priority interest

to the ELC?, and 4) What renewed direction should

Extension programs take?

Program Design and Program Design and ImplementationImplementation

VT Virginia Tech

Pre-testPre-test

Name the 6 steps in the Design and Implementation phase of the VCE Programming Model:

1.2.3.4.5.6.

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

1. Developing Goals and Objectives.2. Understanding the Dynamics of

the Learners.3. Designing the Extension Program.4. Developing a Marketing Plan and

Strategy.5. Developing a Program Plan and

Strategy.6. Implementing the Extension

Educational Program Plan.

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

1. Developing Goals and Objectives.

a. Goal: A broad Statement

b. Objective: Specific

VT Virginia Tech

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

2. Understanding the Dynamics of the Learners.

A. Teaching Learning Process:

– 1. Pedagogy: Teacher Center Approach– 2. Andragogy: Learner Center

ApproachB. Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligence,

Teaching Methods.

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

3. Designing the Extension Program.a. Structuring A series of learning Activities or events.b. Events need to be structure to learning styles and resources available.

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

4. Developing a Marketing Plan and Strategy.a. Establish strategyb. Create documents and implement

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

5. Developing a Program Plan and Strategy.a. Develop the Planb. Identify Stakeholders

D&I Six Step ProcessD&I Six Step Process

6. Implementing the Extension Educational Program Plan.a. Put the plan into Action.b. Begin evaluating the process.

Program Design and Program Design and ImplementationImplementation

VT Virginia Tech

What is Evaluation?

A process for bringinginformation to bear ondecisions about programs.

(Bruce, 2002)

Events in an Extension Program

• Necessary conditions

1. Inputs (new resources, personnel, building space, etc.)

2. Activities (newsletters, workshops, curricula, etc.)

3. People involvement (demographics)

Primary changes (impact)4. Reactions/awareness change (response to program)5. Knowledge/skill change6. Practice/behavior change7. End Results change

Program Evaluation

Step 1: Focus the evaluationStep 2: Collect evaluation

dataStep 3: Analyze dataStep 4: Report results

Step 2: Collect Evaluation Data

• Front door approach (program planning)– objectives driven

• Back door approach (existing program)

– How have program participants benefited?

– intended and unintended (goal free evaluation)

– Does the generated list validate the program’s existing objectives?

Delivering Information in a Delivering Information in a Formal or Non Formal Formal or Non Formal

MethodMethod

1. Formal degree programs and courses.

2. Extension non formal programs and activities.

Virginia Cooperative Virginia Cooperative Extension Extension

Three Program Areas:

• Agricultural and Natural Resources.

• 4-H and Youth Development.

• Family and Consumer Sciences and Community Initiatives.

VCE New Agent Training VCE New Agent Training ManualManual

Virginia Tech Formal InfoVirginia Tech Formal Info

• Note: 1. All Extension Agents in Virginia must

obtain a Masters Degree within 6 years of employment.

2. VCE will pay for tuition.3. Agricultural and Extension

Education is the designated CALS dept to assist with this endeavor.

Graduate EducationGraduate Education

1. Extension Agents obtaining degrees follow a unique program of study.

2. The programs allows each student/agent to “taylor” make their program.

3. This includes “taylor” making their minor that includes working with a subject matter specialist on an Extension project.

AEE Graduate StudentsAEE Graduate Students

-5

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

2002

Total # of StudentsExtension OptionAg Ed OptionOther CareerDoctoralMasters4-HFC

ANRNwSWCSENEN

Table 1 Department of Agricultural and Extension Education Graduate

How do we accommodate How do we accommodate agents in the field?agents in the field?

1. A commitment from VCE Administration and the AEE Department.

2. Utilization of Distance Delivery methodsa. Web based coursesb. VTEL Sites.c. ARECS and 4-H Centersd. Collaboration between subject matter departments and AEE.e. Collaboration with VSU

AEE Plan of StudyAEE Plan of Study

1. EDCT 5604 (required) Foundations of Career and Technical Education

2. EDCT 5684 or EDCI 5554Education and Employment for Diverse Populations or Educating Exceptional Learners Across the Lifespan may substitute

3. ALS 5074 Foundations of Agricultural and Extension Education.

Plan of studyPlan of study

1. AEE 5104 or EDRE 5404 (required) Research and Evaluation in Applied Settings or Foundations of Educational Research

2. EDCT 5694Career and Technical Education for Adults may substitute ALS 4884 Youth Program Management.

Plan of studyPlan of study

1. EDCT 5714 (required) Education and Work in a Changing Society

2. EDCT 5764 Externship in Education (EPI)1. (possible projects with Aquaculture

Specialists).

3. EDCT 6614 Evaluation in Career and Technical Education

4. AEE 5154 Community Partnerships and Volunteerism.

Plan of studyPlan of study

1. ALS 5044Program and Curriculum Design in Agricultural and Extension Education

2. Cognate is unique so students can work one on one with subject matter specialists

3. (min 3 hrs. outside CTE, Possible Aquaculture)

The need for Web-based The need for Web-based coursescourses

VCE requires Extension Agents to obtain a Masters in 6 years from time of employment.

As staff development I worked to establish a distance delivered Masters.

2001 a grant was obtained to develop a series of courses.

New Web-based coursesNew Web-based courses

The first 3 courses were:1. Program Planning and Curriculum

Design in a Agricultural and Extension Education.

2. Foundations of Agricultural and Extension Education.

3. Research Applications.

VCE Intranet MenuVCE Intranet Menu

VCE Staff Development VCE Staff Development Training MenuTraining Menu

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Extension Aquaculture Course Extension Aquaculture Course (non formal or formal)(non formal or formal)

We can build it!We can build it!

USAUSA

20032003

College of Agricultural Staff College of Agricultural Staff Development Seminar SeriesDevelopment Seminar Series

SummarySummary

• Ways to integrate Aqua culture in a Non Formal way:

• 1. Use the programming model to determine needs.

• Look at example delivery modes to begin developing Modules

• Ways to integrate Aqua culture in a Formal way:

• 1. Determine who needs formal education.

• 2. Establish a network of people and technology.

• 3. CECP

Thank You !Thank You !