Abstract

This paper briefly reviewed different methods/techniques for training needs assessment, particularly, Delta N method. It explained Delta N, its computation, highlighted its drawbacks and, more importantly, proposed a modified Delta N method. The paper, further, presented empirical findings of actual data gathered to assess training needs for extension personnel in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Assiut governorate, Egypt. The results of the modified Delta N were presented and discussed in comparison to those of Delta N method. The application of the proposed modified Delta N method, in addition to its computation simplicity, needed no postulated assumptions and gave more logical and convincing results. Findings of this paper, in particular the validation of the proposed modified Delta N method, contribute significantly in developing training and extension needs assessment methods in the field of agricultural extension education.

Key words: Delta N, Egypt, extension, ICT, modified delta N, training needs assessment methods.