Enhancing Undergraduate Agro-Ecological Laboratory Employment through Experiential Learning

Autor/inn/en	Grossman, J. M.; Patel, M.; Drinkwater, L. E.
Titel	Enhancing Undergraduate Agro-Ecological Laboratory Employment through Experiential Learning
Quelle	In: Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, 39 (2010), S.31-39 (9 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1059-9053
DOI	10.4195/jnrlse.2009.0017n
Schlagwörter	Agricultural Education; Student Interests; Service Learning; Undergraduate Study; Sustainable Development; Laboratory Experiments; Agricultural Occupations; Ecology; Pilot Projects; Laboratory Training; Pretests Posttests; Field Experience Programs; Employment Potential + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Agriculture; Education; Landwirtschaftliche Ausbildung; Landwirtschaft; Ausbildung; Studieninteresse; Service-Learning; Grundstudium; Nachhaltige Entwicklung; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Occupation; Beruf; Landwirtschaftlicher Beruf; Ökologie; Pilot project; Modellversuch; Pilotprojekt; Laborkunde; Praxisnahes Lernen; Arbeitsmarktbezogene Qualifikation; Beschäftigungsfähigkeit
Abstract	We piloted an educational model, the Sustainable Agriculture Scholars Program, linking research in organic agriculture to experiential learning activities for summer undergraduate employees in 2007 and 2008. Our objectives were to: (1) further student understanding of sustainable agriculture research, (2) increase student interest in sustainable agriculture careers, and (3) use community service as a vehicle for learning. The three learning environments were on-farm and laboratory research settings, weekly meetings and field trips to discuss research and observe farming practices, and a service-learning project. We collected feedback from participants through a post-program focus-group style evaluation in Year 1 and pre/post individual evaluations with participants and a non-participant comparison group in Year 2. Students learned about linkages between research and practice within all environments. Farm visits were the primary learning site, specifically through observations of sustainable agriculture practices related to lab work and interactions with farmers. Students described how farm visits made lab work relevant; however, there were few instances describing how lab work was relevant to farming communities. Our preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that participation in the program led to increased interest in sustainable agriculture careers and increased desire to pursue research in some students. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Society of Agronomy. 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711. Tel: 608-273-8080; Fax: 608-273-2021; Web site: http://www.jnrlse.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10