Extension Educator Process

Chapter Introduction

DRAFT TEST- The work of Extension education is powerful. As stated by Seevers & Graham (2012), “The Extension education process is the effort to influence change through instruction.” Extension Educators serve the unique roll of providing relevant programming and informational resources to members of the community in which they themselves live and work. As a community resource, the education carried out in local communities takes on the methods, systems, and processes which will be most effective and impactful for the specific needs of the community. Due to informal education (activities outside of a lecture or classroom set up) often being the primary mode of educational programs in Extension, understanding the diversity of stakeholders to be educated is an essential first step of the process. The steps of the Extension education process will be further explored through this chapter as a guide for your program development, delivery and evaluation—for continued effort to influence change in your community.

Chapter Content

Model for Extension education process as seen in Education through Cooperative Extension, 3 ed. page 152, figure 7-1.

Proposed Framework:

Situational Analysis (Community Integration through Partnerships and Community Needs Assessment)

A Plan of Work (Resource and Program Preparation)

Implementation of the Plan (Delivery of Educational Programming + Education)

Evaluation (Education and Reporting)

NOTE:

[A key change of this proposed model is the addition and use of the term “Education”  to describe the process of ensuring the transfer and application of knowledge by student stakeholders. Due to the informal nature of Extension education programming, using a diverse set of assessment tools and strategies is essential to produce strong evaluations and determine the impact of education.]

Community Integration

working with your community to provide research-based, relevant information

(conducting needs assessments, engaging with diverse populations, determining best methods for providing relevant resources)

Preparation of Resources and Programming

developing curriculum, programs, events, and research studies

Delivery of Educational Programming

managing experiences, classrooms, projects, volunteers, etc

Education

assessment, knowledge generation, meeting objectives and outcomes

Reporting

examining Extension work through the lens of impact and change