Advanced Extension Theories and Policy Evaluation Training

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate a range of extension theories and approaches for applicability in complex settings.
• Integrate multiple extension tools and methods to design context-specific interventions.
• Analyze the impact of agricultural and rural development policies on extension practice.
• Apply systems thinking to assess interactions between theory, policy, and practice.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for improving extension effectiveness.
• Demonstrate advanced skills in facilitating participatory learning and adaptive management.

Target Audience

Extension officers, agricultural advisors, rural development managers, and policy analysts who have foundational knowledge of extension principles and seek to deepen their expertise in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, prior completion of a foundational extension course or equivalent experience is recommended.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

The practicals provide hands-on experience in applying evaluation methods, data analysis, and participatory techniques. Learners will conduct field visits, use software for analysis, and present findings, bridging theory and practice.

Practical Activities

• Practical 1: Participatory Rural Appraisal Exercise — Learners conduct a PRA in a local community, using mapping, ranking, and focus groups to assess needs. (16h)
• Practical 2: Data Analysis with STATA/R — Learners analyse a dataset from an extension programme using regression and impact evaluation methods. (16h)
• Practical 3: Policy Brief Writing and Advocacy Simulation — Learners draft a policy brief based on a case study and role-play an advocacy meeting with policymakers. (12h)
• Practical 4: Field Visit and Programme Evaluation — Learners visit an extension project, collect data through interviews, and evaluate outcomes using a logic model. (12h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.