Farmers’ Preferences of E-Learning Courses: Implications for Extension Professionals

Reaching the unreached farmers necessitates use of information and communication technology by the extension machinery. Farmers, amidst high acceptability and spread of mobile phones and computer technology, can be trained through virtual classrooms. With the advent of e-learning, more options in terms of teaching methods have come up; but, at the same time, extension professionals’ job became even more discreet. This study analyzed the farmers’ and extension personnel's perspectives to evaluate the usability of an e-learning course and farmers’ preferences about e-learning courses. The findings implicate crucial aspects to be given emphasis while designing an e-learning course like length of the course, its difficulty level and usefulness of provision of self-assessment. Farmers’ existing knowledge should be the basis of content of the course and topic of immediate use should be chosen for effective learning. Farmers become reluctant to learn things that cannot be immediately put in to use; therefore, relevant and local examples are must to set the tone for better understanding of concepts. Moreover, the course should present information in a story format demanding frequent participation of learners. Pleasant and attractive visual design motivates farmers to begin with learning; whereas, elements promoting enquiry and thinking are necessary for e-learning to become self-sufficient in imparting learning.