The West Virginia extension program hires volunteer camping assistants (VCAs) to work in county 4-H camps. College students who have been in 4-H for at least 10 years, VCAs attend a week-long training session to prepare for overnight camps. A genuine desire to help children motivates most VCAs, but they inspire adult leaders also. (TD)

Community educators in six cities involved youth in documenting ethnic gardening practices with master gardeners. Interviews with 29 educators, 28 participating youth, and 4 gardeners found that youth learned about gardening, developed positive relationships with elders, and enhanced skills. Implementing participatory research required more…

A 2-year project taught reading methods and provided culturally appropriate books for Spanish-speaking and English-speaking families (year 1, 1,013 families; year 2, 1,408 families). Data from home visits and follow-up surveys (n=207) revealed that positive parent/child interaction and time spent reading to children increased and the number of…

Effectiveness of 2 extension publications on pesticide usage and safety (offered through stores and nurseries) was tested through surveys of 800 pamphlet users (415 responses) and focus group interviews with 20-30 respondents. Results showed, if marketed correctly, written information has large audience, safety information needs to be presented…

To identify staff development needs and test the Borich Needs Assessment Model, 68 faculty in Nevada were surveyed (90 percent response). Use of the model made rankings of individual topics substantively different from results obtained by traditional methods. (JOW)

Economic globalization deprives countries of control of their own destinies, with devastating consequences. This doctrine justifies inequality and should be resisted by adult educators who are being asked to educate and train people to compete in the global marketplace rather than work for social justice. (SK)

This paper discusses the functions of the various mass media and the role they have in interpreting the Australian environment. Discusses the role of the mass media in extension and focuses briefly on some theories of education and how effective the mass media are in the light of these theories. (Author/LZ)

A New Zealand project involving 17 farmers, 2 scientists, and 2 consultants classified their learning styles and found learning-preference and belief differences. The differences were used to guide design and evaluation of an extension program. (SK)

An off-campus MBA program involved 467 nontraditional students in individual assignments and 2 intensive weekend classes. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, undergraduate grade point average, and work experience were the best predictors of success in the program. For those admitted as exceptions, GMAT score and undergraduate…

Underscores the importance of extension education, particularly agricultural extension, in developing countries. Addresses extension education's place within a university, using Nigeria as a point of reference. Considers the nonformal role of a university extension department. Presents a typology of university extension courses (e.g., intramural,…

This discussion of the development of the Oklahoma Community Youth Effort curriculum guide includes information on problem solving, issue identification, public and community issues, decision making, action plans, proposal writing, and information addressing adolescent concerns. (JOW)

Based on Oklahoma's experience with a money management program, three principles of successful program for limited-resource families are understanding the audience, expanding education through volunteers, and networking with community agencies. (SK)

Four challenges facing continuing education are (1) changing financing of higher education; (2) communications technologies; (3) sensitivity to traditional faculty rewards; and (4) recognition of the implications of value-added assessment. (SK)

Interviews with 190 participants in Money Sense--a financial management education program based on the "master volunteer" approach--showed that the program taught them food shopping and money management skills and helped save money on food costs. Most experienced fewer financial problems and perceived their financial status as improved.…

Extension educators can increase the effectiveness of resource management programs for low income groups by (1) realizing that what works for middle income consumers may not necessarily work with other groups; (2) combining resources of service and educational agencies; and (3) mobilizing volunteers to multiply outreach efforts. (SK)