Cost Effectiveness Ratio: Evaluation Tool for Comparing the Effectiveness of Similar Extension Programs

Extension educators have been challenged to be cost effective in their educational programming. The cost effectiveness ratio is a versatile evaluation indicator for Extension educators to compare the cost of achieving a unit of outcomes or educating a client in similar educational programs. This article describes the cost effectiveness ratio and its application in Extension. The major implications are 1) learning ways to reduce the cost of educational programming, 2) making Extension educators aware of the cost of educational programming and guiding ways to maximize the cost effectiveness, and 3) promoting pro-evaluation organizational culture

A Practical Tool for the Evaluation of Extension Programs Presented to Older Adults

This article presents a practical tool for the evaluation of Extension programs presented to older adults. The survey method is not practical to collect evaluation data from older adults due to their physical limitations. This evaluation tool is an especially designed box used with plastic tokens. The evaluation box was tested and found accurate and easy to use. It is a practical alternative for the survey method in special situations. The evaluation box is appropriate to collect evaluation data from older adults and illiterate audiences. This tool can be used to evaluate exhibits as well

Engaging Learners Through Collaborative Learning: Leadership Development of County Extension Directors and Lessons Learned

The leadership institute, targeting new and aspiring county Extension directors, was completely revised to reflect face-to-face and online constructivist learning theory and practice. New co-learning and engagement methods were incorporated, and all facilitators and teachers/presenters were trained and coached to use the new methods and philosophy. Five competency area outcomes were expected and then evaluated to determine level of competency development. The events, teachers, and activities of each of the four workshops were also evaluated to determine participants\u27 satisfaction level. The results of the study showed that learning and application of practices occurred in all five competency areas

A Simple Method to Evaluate Series-Type Extension Programs

This article describes how to evaluate the impact of a series-type Extension program. Evaluating program impact is essential for Extension accountability. The evaluation method described in this article is simple and effective in documenting the impact of one Extension program taught as a series. This approach can be used to evaluate other series-type Extension programs by modifying the behavior section of the instrument presented in this article to match the program content and objectives. This evaluation tool not only helps Extension agents document impact but also helps them to focus on the program objectives during the program delivery process

Challenges, Alternatives, and Educational Strategies in Reaching Limited Income Audiences

Delivering effective Extension programs to limited income audiences is a challenging task because of the many barriers associated with their living conditions. This study explored how EFNEP program assistants reach this audience effectively. A focus group interview was conducted with a selected group of experienced program assistants to identify challenges, alternatives, and effective educational strategies they use to reach limited income audiences. Findings of the study revealed that there are unique challenges, alternatives, and educational strategies in reaching limited audiences effectively. The recommendations in this article should be helpful in designing and delivering Effective extension programs for limited income audiences

A User-Friendly Evaluation Resource Kit for Extension Agents Delivering Financial Education Programs

Inadequate evaluation tools and limited evaluation capacity prevent many Extension agents from effectively assessing program impact. A user-friendly and reliable resource kit is now available to help agents evaluate their financial education programs. This resource kit has an online evaluation manual and a database. The manual is available to help educators understand basic evaluation concepts and learn how to use the database. The database is available to help agents design customized evaluation instruments based on their specific program needs. A reliable evaluation instrument can be created within about 10 minutes

Extension Educators\u27 Perceptions About the NC 10% Local Food Campaign: Impacts, Challenges, and Alternatives

This article reports on the perceptions of Extension educators who served as the Local Food Coordinators (LFCs) in promoting the North Carolina Local Food initiative. The study determined Extension agents\u27 perceptions about the local food campaign, its impacts, campaigning partners, campaign materials, challenges, and alternatives. It was a descriptive survey research conducted with all LFCs in NC. The findings of the study support the notion that promoting local foods has positive impacts on local economies and communities, and has implications for other Extension Services to promote local food campaign as a sustainable community development initiative

A Framework for Integrating and Managing Expectations of Multiple Stakeholder Groups in a Collaborative Partnership

The success of collaborative partnerships depends on the integration and management of multiple stakeholder expectations to develop mutually agreeable solutions that lead to desired environmental conditions and social well-being. The North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes Partnership (NCSLP) provides an example of a coalition representing Extension, military, conservation, natural resources, and economic interests to address conservation of forest and farm lands. This article presents a framework for determining the diverse expectations of large collaborative programs and integrating them into an outcome-based decision making model

Use of Demonstration Gardens in Extension: Challenges and Benefits

Extension agents\u27 use of demonstration gardens was studied to determine how gardens are employed in horticultural programming, perceived benefits and challenges of using gardens for Extension programming, and desired competencies. Gardens are primarily used to enhance educational efforts by providing hands-on learning experiences. Greatest perceived benefits of gardens were their effectiveness as an educational delivery method, as well as their ability to provide opportunities for meaningful volunteer service and facilitate the development of partnerships. Greatest perceived challenges were availability of time, money, and volunteer support. Findings support the use of gardens as an appropriate educational strategy for Extension programming

Practical Application of Aspiration as an Outcome Indicator in Extension Evaluation

Extension educators need simple and accurate evaluation tools for program evaluation. This article explains how to use aspiration as an outcome indicator in Extension evaluation and introduces a practical evaluation tool. Aspiration can be described as the readiness for change. By recording participants\u27 levels of aspiration, we will be able to determine whether the program is effective in achieving desired results. This aspiration-recording tool is easy to use in terms of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Evaluation data collected from this tool can be used to document accountability and make decisions for program modifications