Writing Objectives for Extension Programs by Glenn Israel

1. Writing Objectives for Extension Programsby Glenn Israel

2. Orienting Question • How do you tell a good objective from a bad one?

3. A Goal is a general statement of a desired state toward which a program is directed. see Rossi et al., 2004:98

4. An Objective is a specific, operationalized statement detailing the desired accomplishment of a program.

5. Sources of Objectives • Expressed (felt) needs • Analysis of social & environmental conditions • Research results • Political pressure

6. Levels of Objectives • Inputs • Activities • Participation • Reactions • Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills & Aspirations (Behavioral intentions) • Behavioral or Practice Change • Social, Economic & Environmental Conditions

7. Questions About Objectives • Are they realistic with the limitations of audience capacity, instructional expertise, and the diffusion of change? • Are they feasible within the limitations of time, budget, and other resources? • Are they consistent with the values of Extension and the community, and with our legal responsibilities?

8. Writing Useful Objectives • Use strong verbs • State only one purpose or aim • Specify a single end-product or result • Specify a time frame for achieving results

9. Strong: to increase to adopt to describe to demonstrate Weak to promote to encourage to understand to become aware Strong & Weak Verbs for Objectives

10. Criteria are rules, standards, norms, conditions, or behaviors which are considered to be "good" or are of value or use.

11. Performance criteria examples: • Parity participation in 4-H programs • Use of specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Passing scores on pesticide certification tests

12. Approaches to Establish Performance Criteria • Legislation & regulations • Research findings • Theoretical models • Experience with similar programs • Stakeholders’ expectations • Past performance • Professional standards or ethical values

13. Elements of Strong Objectives • Target audience (who) • Criteria for coverage • Outcome (what) • Criteria for outcome

14. Examples of Measurable Objectives • Objective: • 35 4-H members will practice communication skills in relationships with parents or peers during the week. • Objective: • 100 Pesticide Applicators will use at least half of 10 recommended pesticide safety practices all of the time after completing the program. • Objective: • Half of poultry producers attending Extension programs will adopt at least one marketing method for the sale of by-products next year.

15. Critique the Objectives • Increase older adults knowledge of and participation in educational and behavioral activities recognized as leading to healthy aging • To provide effective educational programs to Florida's citizens and consumers at various levels, leading to improved food handling practices, and consequently, to a safer food supply • To provide information concerning sustainable commercial production practices that will be cost-effective, including practices such as fertilization, crop protection, and rotational crops. It is anticipated that 40% of the growers will adopt such practices within the next four years