Step 4: Plan and select appropriate change techniques and methods
A single event or activity rarely results in the behavior changes necessary to solidify a long-term change. Therefore, it is important that educators use a series of educational events and activities that help learners truly make a change in knowledge and/or behavior. During the implementation stage, educators must create a series of events that will lead the learner to understand, demonstrate, and ask questions. This can be done through a series of learning activities. Remember, all activities should focus on the goals and objectives set in Step 2.
When planning how to sequence educational activities so that they build upon each other and reinforce knowledge and behavior, an educator can partition events into three categories: foundational training, scaffolding or supporting educational training, and connecting knowledge to adoption or change in behavior. Additionally, it is important to understand how clientele adopt new knowledge or change their behavior with Roger’s Adoption Diffusion process.
Step 5: Deploy program marketing strategies
Create promotional material and visibility for educational programs. Promotional materials will inform the public about he program and encourage them to seek more education about the topics. Marketing educational program is critical to program attendance and success.
Step 6: Implement education events/activities focusing on change
Effective educational programs produce clientele change when the program is well planned, organized, and delivered. Appropriate delivery methods should be used for a specific educational purpose to accomplish educational objectives.
Remember that when designing and delivering the educational events, to think about the target audience, educational objectives, and type and context of information being presented. A few educational delivery methods can include:
- Mass media methods (news articles, radio, television, publications, webinars, newsletters, social media, online methods, etc.)
- Group methods (demonstrations, general meetings, short courses, special interest meetings, workshops, tours, field days, group forums, training, youth activities, blended techniques, etc.)
- Individual method (farm/home visit, office visit, telephone calls, email correspondence, result demonstration, etc.)