Evaluation Notes: Session IV Sharing
International Extension Training Program 2003-2004
Evaluation (Post-Test) of the Internationalizing Extension Training Program 2003-2004
We appreciate your involvement and participation in completing this questionnaire.
Section I. On a scale of one to five, with 1 = Strongly disagree (SD), 2 = Disagree (D), 3 = Neutral (N), 4 = Agree (A), 5 = Strongly agree (SA), please indicate, in the left hand column, the degree to which you consider each of the following to be important, and in the right hand column the degree to which you feel you possess each of these attributes by circling the appropriate unit:
I feel this is Important to me |
|
I feel that I Possess this attribute |
SD D N A SA |
1. Understanding of what an internationalized extension system is |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
2. Awareness of international opportunities for extension |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
3. Understanding of why local international programming is important |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
4. Knowledge of global agricultural export/import markets and marketing systems |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
5. Understanding of how international experiences of extension agents may be useful at the county level |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
6. Knowledge of current issues in international development |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
7. Ability to interact with people from other parts of the world |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
8. Knowledge of international trade policy |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
9. Knowledge of ways to provide international development education programs to extension clientele |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
10. Awareness of how international linkages / interdependencies affect our daily lives |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
11. Knowledge to aid clients in forming international partnerships/contacts in their segment of the agriculture industry |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
12. Knowledge of gender issues in the context of international development. |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
13. Familiarity with International Development Programs such as USAID and World Bank |
SD D N A SA |
SD D N A SA |
14. Knowledge of IFAS’ involvement with development programs and agencies |
SD D N A SA |
Section II. On a scale of one to five, with 1 = Strongly disagree (SD), 2 = Disagree (D), 3 = Neutral (N), 4 = Agree (A), 5 = Strongly agree (SA), please circle the degree to which you agree with the following statements:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
15. Our resources would be better spent domestically (in the U.S.) than on efforts in international trade and international markets average = 2.3 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
16. Increased development of my own cultural sensitivity would benefit my clientele average = 4.5 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
17. Gender issues are relevant to my daily work average = 4.4 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
18. My clientele want to know about international agriculture and economic issues average = 3.1 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
19. My clientele would like me to have more international knowledge average = 3.5 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
20. My involvement in international issues will result in direct benefits to my clients average =4.4 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
21. I know of other extension agents who have been previously involved in international extension experiences. average = 3.9 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
22. I regularly obtain announcements and reports of international activities average = 3.3 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
23. The main reason that U.S. Extension agents should participate in international activities is to maintain the country’s competitive edge in agriculture average = 2.3 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
24. Knowledge of international markets and the global economy should be used mostly to benefit the U.S. average = 2.1 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
25. The more globalization occurs, the more U.S. agriculture is threatened average = 2.4 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
26. Extension agents can benefit from experiences in other countries average = 4.6 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
27. I spend some time reading publications, checking the internet or watching the news to keep abreast of international issues each week average = 4.0 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
28. Due to time constraints in meeting the demands of my job domestically, I don’t have enough time to be concerned with international issues average = 2.0 |
SD |
D |
N |
A |
SA |
Section III. Please indicate the number of instances where you have done the following by circling the appropriate range of occurrences/experiences: (None = 1; 1-5 = 2; 6-10 = 3; 11-15 = 4; 16+ = 5)
29. Gone to another country on a church mission trip |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
30. Been to at least one other country besides the United States on vacation |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
31. Included an international dimension in your plan of work |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
32. Hosted an international visitor |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
33. Involved clientele in an international exchange or tour |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
34. Attended an international seminar |
None 1-5 6-10 11-15 16+ |
Section IV. The following stair-step evaluation scales are designed to assess your beginning and current levels of understanding, skills and abilities for questions 36-40. For each question, place the letter B for “Before the International Extension Training Program” and an A for “After the International Extension Training Program” on the steps that pertain to you. For each stair-step, 10 represents the highest amount and 1 represents the lowest.
35. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your understanding of what an internationalized extension system is? before average = 2.9 after average = 7.7
36. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your commitment to an international extension system?
before average = 4.1 after average = 7.5
37. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your ability to meet the needs of people with diverse backgrounds? before average = 5.3 after average = 6.7
38. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your understanding of gender in an international context and its relevancy to your work domestically?
before average = 5.8 after average = 7.5
39. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your commitment to extension and grassroots educational programming?
before average = 5.7 after average = 8.3
40. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your awareness of international opportunities for extension?
before average = 3.4 after average = 7.3
41. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your understanding of how your international experiences and knowledge may be useful at the county level?
before average = 4.4 after average = 6.6
42. How has the International Extension Training Program affected your ability to interact with international clients with cultural sensitivity? before average = 6.2 after average = 7.5
Open Ended Questions
43. As a result of the International Extension Training Program, have any of your perceptions changed regarding internationalizing extension? If so, how?
Yes, I actually understand why it is important. While I have always been interested in international work, I could never focalized why on the county level it is an important addition to a career.
I think I now believe that the most beneficial experiences related to internationalizing Extension will come in response to informal, sustained relationships between people in different countries, not institutions, although institutions might provide the opportunity for such a relationship to be formed.
Yes – before the program I was one of the people that felt it was more important to serve the needs of the US. Now I feel an interconnection with people from other countries. I feel sensitivity and empathy toward their culture, needs, struggles, etc. I truly feel like a link in the world and I’m not as self-serving now.
The importance of extension in developing countries – vastly better understanding now.
The need for a more dynamic extension service in the US. The information has a broader audience here and needs to address a broader scope of ability.
Yes students and extension agents and county commissioners and UF can all promote.
No.
Not really, just built greater awareness and attitude change.
I have a better appreciation for other cultures.
I went from ignorance to promoter from this experience.
No.
44. What areas of extension do you think would benefit the most through an international perspective, and how?
Agents to help expose them to many cultures and better serve diverse clientele. All areas. Rural agents to help their clientele understand globalism in a positive light. Urban clientele to better serve diverse cultures. Especially useful for agents who have never left the state and have always been a part of the UF system. Also greatly increased relationships within extension and built new bridges of communication in participating counties.
Administration – focus on meeting needs
FYCS – understanding different cultures
Ag and Natural Resources – because they seem to have the most negative perceptions
Agriculture – practices, pest management
Food Safety and Handling – improved health and safety for individuals
Youth Development
Water Quality – shown to be the number one way to increase health standards, decrease disease and lower the death rate.
Marketing – export and import info.
Education – international work gives a much better exposure to barriers to learning and therefore important to good teaching.
Political – engaging different levels and countries politics improves life for all.
Administrators to facilitate interactions at lower levels of extension work international office help focus efforts
All areas of Extension have can benefit as a result of an international experience.
County agents in all disciplines.
Community and rural development.
Sustainable ag management
Goodwill
Entry level for more difficult international issues
Retro-model for dealing with intra-national issues
Cultural exchange and Florida Cooperative Extension.
45. Regarding international issues, in what area to you feel the most competent? In what areas do you feel the least informed?
| MOST: Cultural sensitivity and relationships Understanding individual people Natural resources Youth Development Importance of knowing the global market Importance of presentation of resources Importance of education Cultural awareness Current affairs Cultural sensitivity and awareness Political foreign affairs Global Economy (economic) |
LEAST: |
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