Designing a training module for extension trainers: a study in Uttarakhand
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Date
2008-03
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Training is crucial and continuous input for agricultural development. ‘Training of Trainers’ is of paramount importance in improving the quality of agriculture and rural development in the wake of globalisation and WTO regime. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was undertaken in the state of Uttarakhand. The study revealed that majority of extension trainers were relatively young, male, highly educated and had training experience of ten to twenty five years. However, very few trainers had received training in ‘Training Management’. The findings of training need assessment revealed that trainers require formal training in ‘Facilitating adult learning’, ‘Learner Centred approach’, ‘Motivation’, Task analysis as a method of training need assessment’, ‘Preparation of report on training need assessment’, ‘Designing training programme’, ‘Participatory lecture, Group discussion, case study and brain storming as training methods’, ‘Giving and receiving feedback’, ‘Methods of follow-up, ‘Monitoring and evaluation’, and ‘Preparation and use of low cost visual aids’. The opinion of trainers as well as experts also indicated that training of trainers programme of two weeks duration should be designed following ‘flexible and learner centered approach’. Thus, it was decided to design a training module incorporating areas of critical importance found through the study. The module was divided into three sub-modules viz., 'adult learning', 'training process' and 'instructional media'. Each of the sub-modules consisted of several learning blocks or units and contained details of 'learning objectives', 'course content', 'training methods to be followed', 'duration' and 'reading note to the trainers'. The training module was perceived to be 'adequate' in terms of its contents and instructional strategies and 'useful' in dealing with adult learners and improving job performance of trainers by the experts. The variables which had shown negative and significant relationship with the training need of extension trainers were ‘age’ and ‘work experience’. However, ‘Job values’ and ‘communication channel used’ had positive and significant relationship with the training need of extension trainers.
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Thesis-PhD
Keywords
training, modules, extension, Uttarakhand, agricultural development, communication, rural development