Probing the Use of Non-Formal Education Characteristics in Extension Activities: Case Study of Agricultural Extension Agents in Golestan Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension and Education, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Abstract

Regard to shortcomings of the formal education system in response to the real needs of people, the non-formal education system has become a necessity. Since the success of agricultural extension organization to receive sustainable development is associated with appropriate use of non-formal education, this study using descriptive-correlation research aimed to assess view of agricultural extension agents of Golestan province about the importance and application of characteristic of non-formal education. Using a simple random sampling method, 71 extension agents were studied. The results showed that agricultural extension agents advocate a medium importance for characteristics which are attributed to non-formal education. Although there was a significant positive correlation between the level of importance and the use of non-formal education characteristics, they were not used in accordance with the importance of non-formal education characteristics. Among the five pillars of non-formal education, “interaction orientation” has the greatest weight and “flexibility” has the minimum weight of importance. In terms of application, “skill orientation" has the highest weight and “interaction orientation” has a minimum weight. The main weaknesses of agricultural extension agents in non-formal education requirements were “writing behavioral objectives”, “knowing adult learning” and “learning to recognize the difference between formal, non-formal and informal education”. For better understanding and proper use of non-formal education, it is recommended that related learning experiences should be provided for agricultural extension agents.

Keywords

References

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Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development
Volume 7, Issue 1
October 2018
Pages 37-48

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