Investigating the Viewpoints of Extension Experts in Alborz Province Regarding Paulo Freire's Educational Perspective in Informal Education

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of extension experts of Alborz province Agricultural Jihad Organization towards Paolo Freire's educational perspective. This study examined the extent of implementation, feasibility, and importance of this approach in informal training courses of Agricultural Jihad Organization. Present study was a descriptive correlational research and survey technique was employed in its data collection process. The statistical population consisted of all experts of Alborz Agricultural Jihad Organization which was studied in full. The data collection tool was a six-part questionnaire that developed based on Paulo Freire's point of views. Its validity was tested by Extractive Mean Variance test, Cross-sectional Load test, Fornell and Larker test, and Multi-method test. The reliability of research instrument was confirmed using Cronbach's Alpha coefficients, Composite Reliability values, and Joint Reliability test. Data analysis was carried out in two separate parts including descriptive and inferential statistics by means of SPSS22 and Smart PLS3 statistical packages. Findings showed that extensional training courses had less role in emancipatory trainings for improving critical thinking of agricultural learners. In spite of the fact that the population of interest was aware of the importance of providing education consistent with Freire's view about unti-oppressive and destructor of stratified structure, emancipatory and critical thinking components were of less feasibility in current situation of the country.