The three articles included in this dissertation are connected through theory and practice. Study one identifies the factors influencing Extension agents' participation in supplemental professional development opportunities using Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior. Study two was a systematic investigation of Extension personnel's…

As states face tough economic times, extension organizations are increasingly emphasizing the importance of evaluation data to show program value. However, little is known about the evaluation skills and abilities of extension professionals expected to collect such data. This knowledge would help inform professional development opportunities…

Raising evaluation capacity is not an easy task unless the evaluation competence of Extension professionals in each program area is identified. The study reported here identified whether level of knowledge and skills and needs for further training in program evaluation vary for Extension educators based on their program area. A total of 752…

Pennsylvania extension educators (n=228) find it increasingly difficult to participate in inservice education, desire more distance delivery and an active voice in program planning, and would like inservice to be integrated into their plan of work. Past inservice experiences lacked quality in content and instruction. (SK)

This paper outlines the concept of "program" and one set of elements that are considered to make up the program planning process in agricultural extension, and an example of practical program planning in Rhodesia is given. Although there is a wide variety of meanings attached to the term "program" in adult education, it has…

A study of the training needs of extension specialists in 1890 land-grant institutions concludes with the finding that the greatest need for training is in the area of evaluating and reporting extension programs. Data were collected from questionnaires returned by 81 extension specialists and 14 extension administrators. (Author/EC)

TO EVALUATE THE GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE GENERAL EXTENSION DIVISION AND THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, THE INVESTIGATORS ADMINISTERED A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE TO PARTICIPANTS, THEIR EMPLOYERS, AND THE FACULTY. PARTICIPANTS WERE SURVEYED BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THEIR COURSES,…

This volume, a continuation of Volume I, presents Part VIII of the report and 12 appendixes. Part VIII is comprised of case studies of the activities of field agents in three states that are the target areas of the Pilot State Dissemination Program. The areas are designated "Southern Small Town,""The Hazelton Districts," and…

This proceedings report is organized into four sections dealing respectively with: (1) global issues facing extension education; (2) extension strategies and methods; (3) extension planning and evaluation; and (4) training and curriculum development. The following papers are included: "Extension Science: To Broaden the Scope" (van…

This compilation includes abstracts of 165 research and development studies in agricultural education completed during the period July 1, 1978, to June 30, 1979. Fifty-three of the compiled studies represent staff research, seventy-eight represent master's theses, and thirty-four represent doctoral dissertations. Studies are arranged…

This compilation includes abstracts of 140 research and development studies in agricultural education completed during the period July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1978. Thirty-three of the completed studies represent staff research, fifty-six represent master's theses, and fifty-one represent doctoral dissertations. Studies are arranged alphabetically by…

These proceedings contain 48 presentations and 15 poster abstracts. Papers include "Computer Tasks Required in Selected Undergraduate Agriculture Courses" (Johnson, Ferguson, Vokinnns, Lester); "College of Agriculture Faculty Perceptions of Electronic Technologies in Teaching" (Dooley, Murphy); "Steering Through Turbulent…