Communication and Facilitation Skills for Environment Professionals (EM510)

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an advanced understanding of the recent evolution of extension theory and practice and communicate this to a specialist and non-specialist audience using verbal and written formats;
2. develop advanced extension-related and employment-relevant skills and competencies in areas such as: (i) the use of the media; (ii) effective written and oral communication skills; (iii) group facilitation and group extension techniques; (iv) the application of adult learning principles to the development of an extension program; (v) the selection of stakeholder targeting strategies and the effective utilisation of information networks; (vi) the development of research-extension linkages; and (vii) extension program planning;
3. demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner in relation to the subject by setting and achieving own learning goals;
4. develop their own definition of the purpose of extension and consequently to refine their concept of their future professional role as an extension practitioner and thereby demonstrating the ability to apply specialist knowledge and skills; and
5. demonstrate the ability to analyse and explain complex concepts in natural resource management extension.