The Role of Distance Education and E- learning in Agricultural Extension Services

Abstract

Education has very significance and strategic role in all aspects of the development of any nation. Distance education and e-learning role in agriculture extension services is a viable mechanism for the upliftment of the standard of education and in the dissemination of advanced and adequate teaching. Distance education has become a popular method of instruction, especially for those with demanding full-time jobs or who find it difficult to invest time and expense in travel. The increasing improved connectivity to the internet and rapid development in mobile access in Africa accelerates the promotion of e-learning to provide quality higher education on the continent. To this end, this paper examines the role of distance education and e-learning in agricultural extension services. It discusses the concepts of distance education and e-learning, Agricultural Extension as a concept, functions of Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs). Finally, it highlights the current trends in the training of AEAs through ODL and e-learning to fill in their deficiency gap. // Paper ID: 484