20 Apr 2007 16:00
Unit:
Wageningen University
Location:
Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation:
Wageningen University
Promotor:
prof.dr. M. Mulder (Education and competence studies)
Co Promotor:
Dr. H.J.A. Biemans
This thesis is aimed at developing a competency profile for instructors within the agricultural extension service in the province of Esfahan in Iran in the next three to five years. These instructors are part-time subject matter specialists who cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and teach short-term courses in different disciplines to farmers. These experts generally experience many problems in their role as instructor. The public extension service is perceived as the most important information source for farmers. Farmers were generally appreciated the courses and their instructors, but they expect revision in terms of evaluation methods, use of instructional technologies, duration of courses and follow up strategies of instructors. The most important motives of farmers for participation in the courses were performance improvement and personal development. This research revealed that designing a common competency profile for instructors is possible but the profile should be differentiated based on the stratification of the population of farmers by variables such as gender, age, level of education, and motives for course participation.