Concept mapping can help learners develop metacognitive skills and make educators aware of instructional principles. The Instructional Map, Experiential Learning Model, and Logic Model are useful concept mapping tools for informal adult education. (SK)

A case study examined 10 successful partnerships between county extension educators and university researchers. Successful partnerships included commitment to the bigger picture, communication, mutual respect, trust, and a supportive environment. Conditions that promoted transformative learning in partnerships included strong partner facilitation,…

A study determined the level of satisfaction of 117 field faculty of the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service (94 percent response) with the new performance rating method to evaluate agents. It also determined if there was change in satisfaction with agents' office relationships related to the change in county chair responsibilities. Satisfaction…

Interviews with 124 rice farmers in Sierra Leone revealed that farmers and extension staff have minimal participation and input in testing of new cultivation technologies. The top-down research approach has limited contact among researchers, extension staff, and farmers and affected the utility and application of research. (SK)

A survey of 1,720 Texas extension faculty and staff received 1,139 responses indicating dissatisfaction with family-work balance (80%), lack of vision or strategic plan (75-80%), professional development opportunities (70%), and employee involvement opportunities (75%). (SK)

An assessment of Georgia Extension's Community Leadership Program showed that the 12-week training increased networking, improved visibility for local extension staff, developed a unified spirit, gave people a feeling of responsibility and accomplishment, and served as a catalyst for goal setting and action plans. (SK)

A nationwide survey of 504 county agricultural agents received 468 replies indicating that agents understand farmers' risk management strategies but feel least qualified to teach about futures markets, crop insurance, hedging, and options. (JOW)

Top 3 information sources identified in a survey of 109 extension agents were extension publications, specialists, and personal files. Electronic sources such as satellite programing and bibliographic databases were used infrequently, because of lack of access, user friendliness, and ready applicability of information. (SK)

Cooperative extension agents in four areas (agriculture, 4-H/youth, family living, county directors) completed Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (n=211) to identify learning style preferences to develop the best ways to present state-level inservice education. (SK)

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)

Six 4-H agents working with traditional clients and six with nontraditional clients participated in a DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) analysis of job tasks. They performed similar duties but the nontraditional group spent more time assessing individual members; the traditional group focused more on program management. (SK)

Describes the changes in the roles of the Cooperative Extension Service and extension specialists affiliated with universities. Reports the results of survey research and concludes that extension specialists should actively pursue the opportunity to direct graduate students. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Survey responses from 402 Virginia extension personnel showed that secretaries and younger staff had the lowest computer anxiety, technicians and older staff the highest. Time spent using computers, age, and years of employment were somewhat associated with anxiety. Training recommendations were made. (SK)

Cooperative extension personnel (n=53) completed a Web-based survey analyzing the impact of the Character Counts! program on extension, their personal lives, and society. Results demonstrated that extension educators and assistants were more likely to make ethical decisions as a result of teaching Character Counts! The need for increased…

In order to improve the agricultural extension system of a country it is essential to link research units and extension activities. In this regard, one of the approaches, which are currently being carried out in Iran, is a joint research-extension plan (JREP). These plans were originally initiated in 1998 with the following objectives: 1) to…