Principles of Learning as Applicable to Extension
S.No. | Principle | Description |
1. | Self-Activity | Learning is active. Example: Farmers conducting demonstrations in their own fields. |
2. | Association | Link new learning with prior success. Ex: Success with nitrogen motivates balanced fertilizer use. |
3. | Transfer | Apply learned skills to similar situations. Ex: Water management in one crop to another. |
4. | Disassociation | Eliminate undesirable behaviors. Ex: Discouraging chemical use; promoting organic farming. |
5. | Readiness | Learning occurs when one is mentally prepared. Ex: Farmers ready to form cooperative societies. |
6. | Set of Attitude | Favorable attitudes encourage adoption. Ex: Positive view toward cattle treatment promotes learning. |
7. | Practice | Repeated use leads to mastery. Ex: Correct use of sprayer requires repeated practice. |
8. | Motivation | Drives behavior change. Ex: Positive tree planting experience motivates nursery visits. |
9. | Timing | Teaching must align with needs. Ex: Teach plant protection when pests appear. |
10. | Clarity of Objectives | Clear goals lead to meaningful learning. Ex: Using crop loan only for agriculture. |
11. | Cooperation | Learners supporting implementation increases effectiveness. Ex: Villagers help extension workers. |
12. | Satisfyingness | Positive experiences reinforce learning. |
🔷 Cone of Experience
- Developed by: Edgar Dale
- Modified by: Sheal (1989)
- Shows levels of participant involvement and retention through various activities:
🔸 We tend to remember:
Activity | Retention Rate |
What we read | 10% |
What we see | 30% |
What we hear and see | 50% |
What we say | 70% |
What we say and do | 90% |
The cone emphasizes learning by doing is the most effective.
🔷 Steps in Extension Teaching
(Based on Wilson and Gallup, 1955)
Step | Description | Methods Used |
1. Attention | Make people aware of new ideas or practices. | Radio, TV, exhibitions, personal contact, local leaders. |
2. Interest | Stimulate curiosity and interest by sharing understandable information. | Publications, media, local leaders. |
3. Desire | Motivate by highlighting advantages and benefits. | Demonstrations, discussions, personal contact. |
4. Conviction | Convince learners the idea is suitable and beneficial for them. | Group meetings, individual persuasion. |
5. Action | Learners start applying the new practice. | Field implementation. |
6. Satisfaction | Learners see positive results (yield, income, health). Reinforces learning. |
Quick Revision
- Q: Which principle states that learning is an active process? Self-Activity.
- Q: Which principle involves linking new learning with past success? Association.
- Q: Which principle suggests that favorable attitudes lead to adoption? Set of Attitude.
- Q: Which principle emphasizes teaching at the right time? Timing.
- Q: What principle states that learning should have clear goals? Clarity of Objectives.
- Q: Which principle explains that positive results reinforce learning? Satisfyingness.
- Q: Who developed the Cone of Experience? Edgar Dale.
- Q: Who modified the Cone of Experience in 1989? Sheal.
- Q: According to the Cone of Experience, what percentage do we remember of what we read? 10%.
- Q: How much do we remember of what we see? 30%.
- Q: How much do we remember of what we hear and see? 50%.
- Q: How much do we remember of what we say? 70%.
- Q: How much do we remember of what we say and do? 90%.
- Q: What is the most effective form of learning according to the Cone of Experience? Learning by doing.
- Q: What is the first step in extension teaching? Attention.
- Q: Which step involves arousing curiosity and interest? Interest.
- Q: Which step focuses on motivating learners by showing advantages? Desire.
- Q: What step involves convincing learners about the applicability of the idea? Conviction.
- Q: Which step involves putting the idea or practice into action? Action.
- Q: What is the final step that reinforces learning through results? Satisfaction.
