Peer Groups and Focus Groups

1. Peer Groups and Focus Groups Chris Mondak ISU Extension Dairy Field Specialist NW Iowa cmondak@iastate.edu DISCLAIMER: Not an expert…still learning…work in progress.

2. 1998- 2000

3. 2002-2011- “Fields plowed” • DairyWomen Peer Group- 4 sessions yearly • 4-5 Regional Focus Groups yearly; 2-3 sessions in the winter; occasional summer follow-on. • Young Dairy Producers Peer Group • Decision-making Peer Group - 4-part series

4. Outreach % Relationship- building & Needs assessment Quality of Impacts

5. Some Key Principles of Learning(Likely at play in Peer Groups/Focus Groups)Course Work at ISU - Learning Communities and College Teaching (psychology of learning) • Learning is relational: interactions & discussion enhances learning. • Learning happens when people have a reason to learn. • All learners bring prior knowledge & experience -- start where they’re at…. • Reflection & processing advances learning.

6. Questionsand Discussion Strategic lecture or Powerpoint Computers; Technology Thinking, Talking, Writing Demonstrations Hands-on Practice

7. May I offer this hypothesis… Content Subject Area Content: How we Learn Process

8. A personal hunch about effective small group programming: • The key change is not solely about how the educational program looks on the outside. • Rather, the key shift is what happens in the educator while preparing and delivering the program.

9. Caveats • Major undertaking -- Planning, Recruitment, Program Development and Follow-through takes much TIME. • Funding?

10. Good learning environment More advanced teaching & in-depth learning Measurable results happen.

11. The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust The End…… …or the Beginning?