Group Dynamics for Extension Practice Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply theories of group dynamics to analyze group behavior in extension settings.
• Demonstrate the use of techniques and tools to facilitate group interaction and participation.
• Implement principles of group dynamics to manage conflict and enhance group cohesion.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of group processes in achieving extension objectives.
• Design intervention strategies to address common group challenges in extension practice.
• Analyze the impact of group dynamics on individual and group learning outcomes.

Target Audience

Extension practitioners, agricultural advisors, community development workers, and any professionals involved in facilitating group learning or decision-making processes in extension contexts.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, participants with prior experience in extension or community work will find the content more accessible.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Practical sessions provide hands-on experience in facilitating group processes, applying participatory methods, and managing group dynamics. Learners practice facilitation, conflict resolution, and participatory techniques in simulated and real extension group settings.

Practical Activities

• Facilitation Practice Sessions — Learners facilitate short group activities (icebreakers, discussions, decision-making) using techniques learned in class, with peer and instructor feedback. (16h)
• Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Tools — Learners work in groups to conduct a community mapping exercise and a seasonal calendar, using PRA techniques with role-play community members. (12h)
• Conflict Resolution Role-Play — Learners enact a simulated conflict scenario within a farmer group and practice mediation steps to resolve the issue constructively. (8h)
• Group Decision-Making Exercise — Learners participate in a consensus-building exercise (e.g., prioritising community projects) using nominal group technique and reflect on the process. (8h)
• Design and Facilitate a Farmer Field School Session — In teams, learners design a 45-minute farmer field school session on a chosen topic, then facilitate it for peers acting as farmers. (7h)

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.