Extension agents (n=119) participated in a self-paced training program either using written or audiotape formats or as controls who completed only pre/posttests. The written mode was more effective than audiotape in increasing knowledge. There were no significant differences in knowledge between the audiotape and control groups. (SK)

Survey responses from 228 Pennsylvania extension staff revealed time- or travel-related reasons inhibited inservice participation. They preferred regional locations over any other, though they were receptive to having some inservice programs delivered using distance education technologies. A pilot test of quarterly satellite inservice programs was…

Presents criteria to evaluate inservice educational programs before, during, and after implementation, and keys these criteria to the different purposes for evaluation. (JOW)

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)

A survey of 73 extension professionals who coordinate inservice training found that only 16% of their audience is support staff. Responses from 305 extension employees indicated barriers to participation: time, scheduling conflicts, lack of relevance, and distance. Although 90% of employees were interested in distance deliver, only 22% of…

Internet inservice training was offered to 150 county Extension agents representing six southeastern states, who used Web-based materials, an online pretest/posttest, and listserv discussions. Questionnaire responses indicated that most agents were very receptive to this method. Pretest/posttest scores show that the training resulted in a…

In South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, 32 extension agents used inservice training materials on the World Wide Web and engaged in discussions via a listserv. Postprogram responses from 16 were strongly favorable of this type of training for certain topics. (SK)

Extension educators (n=17) completed two of five technical sections from an aquaculture CD-ROM tutorial. Evidence from pre/post-training questionnaires, content assessments, and follow-up interviews reveals favorable attitudes toward computer-based inservice training. The ability to spend less time out of their county and to review materials after…

Explains how the authors designed and taught a course dealing with special problems faced by extension specialists in assessing needs and determining program priorities. The authors believe that inservice education dealing with these areas is needed, appropriate, and would be attended by extension specialists. (CT)

To improve the teaching skills of peer educators in Iowa Extension, workshops exposed them to constructivist and transformative approaches to adult education. Attendees identified two challenges as impediments to adopting or adapting the contemporary model for adult education: low confidence in facilitating discussions and concerns about…

Describes a Dimensional Leadership workshop designed to help extension service professionals become more effective leaders by discovering and improving their leadership style and by discovering and recognizing different kinds of effective and ineffective behavior. (EM)

A study was conducted to see if inservice training for extension agents made a difference, especially in knowledge acquisition. The study's conclusion was that in at least the cognitive area a significant change had taken place. Agents who attended the evaluation workshop had significantly greater knowledge in the area of evaluation than agents…

Study concerned with describing the training needs of extension specialists at 1890 institutions (black land-grant institutions established by a Congressional Act in 1890). Findings, training needs, recommendations and conclusions are included. (WL)

This article describes one model for building direct and positive relationships between foreign extension agents and appropriate universities, what activities are involved, and how basic extension concepts are used. Discusses working through farmers' organizations, through professional organizations and agencies, and through integrated farming…

A survey of 45 extension agents and 59 state forestry agency staff 1 year after inservice training on developing public education programs on wildland fire received 71 responses. Three primary barriers to program implementation were identified: educational, logistical, and attitudinal. Providing a toolkit of materials and resources reduced…