Sonti, Nancy Falxa (author), Campbell, Lindsay K. (author), Johnson, Michelle L. (author), Daftary-Steel, Sarita (author), and Baltimore Field Station, USDA Forest Service, Baltimore, MD, USA
New York City Urban Field Station, USDA Forest Service, New York, NY, USA
Food Dignity Project, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016-09
Published:
USA: Sage Publications Inc.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08243
17 pages, The mainstream agricultural literacy movement has been mostly focused on school-based learning through formal curricula and standardized non-formal models (e.g., FFA, 4-H). The purpose of the current study is to qualitatively explore through a grounded theory approach, the development, sharing, and translation of diverse forms of agricultural knowledge and perspectives among adult learners within informal and non-formal learning settings. Data collected through interviews with and naturalistic observation of agricultural practitioners with diverse personal and professional backgrounds are used to guide the development of a holistic agricultural epistemology framework. Based on this framework, we argue the scope of the agricultural literacy movement should be expanded to better account for more diverse sets of learners (e.g., adults), worldviews (e.g., local food production and consumption), and curricular models and settings (e.g., informal and nonformal).
10 pages., ISSN 2061-862X, Via Academic Search Ultimate., This study presents the use of e-learning application for agricultural professionals. In addition to traditional forms of training, and built on it there was necessary to establish a distance learning system (e-learning platform), which was extensive multimedia-based solution for the staff of Central Agricultural Office (CAO), working in different parts of the country and caring different areas. E-learning has been introduced under a projects. The e-learning (distance learning) pilot training of CAO’s professionals started at the end of 2009. Our research aims to examine the spread of e-learning applications for further training of agricultural professionals, particularly in the human development of agrotechnical administrative staff and experts. There have never been any surveys about the application of the e-learning system among the agricultural experts. This fact enforced our aim to carry out a research among them. This goal was formulated in 2011, when we conducted a questionnaire survey among the consultants. We repeated the survey in 2015 and this article publish the comparison of results too.
12 pages., Via open access online., Authors examined the difficulty of teaching contemporary students of journalism to report on complex topics like science and the environment. They subjected 120 undergraduate students to a strategy that combined visual representations of abstract concepts, media texts, and experiential peer interactions. Findings indicated positive outcomes on comprehension and demonstrations of critical analysis from this pedagogical approach.
July 15 issue via online. 2 pages., Describes how Penton's increased emphasis on being an information service provider rather than business-to-business publisher is prompting a closer look at "investments in non-core businesses like data, events, and elearning."
Aurelie, Toillier (author), Baudoin, Alice (author), and Chia, Eduardo (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2014
Published:
Burkina Faso
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 132 Document Number: D11346
Notes:
Paper presented during the 11th European International Farming System Association (IFSA) Symposium, "Farming systems facing global challenges: capacities and strategies," April 1-4, 2014, in Berlin, Germany. 11 pages in proceedings, The study involved "learning regime" as the set of mechanisms that are triggers for and lead to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, allowing the head of the farm to improve production and management methods. Authors identified four types of regimes, calling into question the assumption of homogeneity of farmers' capabilities to change their routines to acquire new skills. Findings prompted suggestion that creating spaces for exchanges between producers who are at common stages of development or have similar problems, leveraging specific know-how of different ethnic groups and inter-cultural exchanges, and facilitating access to existing information in a given territory seem to be some of the many possible ways of strengthening existing dynamics of learning.
Why is a change in the focus of rural development needed? Sinek (2009) pointed out that the first question addressed by successful entrepreneurs when establishing their companies is, why should the enterprise be created, what is the purpose of it? With the outcome of a conversation with an academic colleague in mind, that even scientific papers have a story to tell, the author has structured this paper in line with the 'golden circle' approach of Sinek (2009), namely asking why, then how and then what? At the beginning of her research career in rural development, the author examined the role of the European Union's (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Hungary, with special regard to agri-environmental management. As this research was linked to policy regulations it was in rather a 'top down' direction, examining the effects of selected tools such as agri-environmental measures, direct payments and the LEADER approach. The experience gained during this period (2001-2006) redirected the interest of the author to human and social capital. Examination of sustainability, resilience and system thinking has become a basic element in her work. Acceptance by agriculture that corporate social responsibility is a pre-condition for the licence to produce is now an established societal demand. Production methods that have regard for the planet and people as well as profi t have become a 'must' for the food industry (Slingerland and Rab-binge, 2009). The author keeps in mind the three dimensions of sustainability (nature, society and economy), in which nature creates the frame, the limits of growth, and society is understood to be part of it. Each human being, as an indi-vidual part of society, has his/her responsibility and has to understand the system he/she lives in. This is very important because, as Senge (2011) points out, people do not believe that they infl uence the future, while Johnson (2013), in line with Meier (2005), states that our future is based on how we as individuals live and talk today. In Hungary, human and social resources, which play an important role in the rural economy, show a great defi cit (Katona Kovács, 2006a). Appreciating the importance of human and social capital and their deficit in the North Great Plain NUTS 2 region where she lives, the author is look-ing for ways to increase these resources. This is the first and most important answer to the why question. Since 2006 the author's research work has sought answers to how human and social capital could be increased in local economies, as key factors for future development, even in the improvement of agri-environment management. Although there are good examples of changes generated through policy instruments, such as the LEADER pro-gramme (ÖIR, 2004), instead of trying to form or to increase human and social capital via 'top down' policy mechanisms, while keeping the importance of these instruments in mind, the author is looking for 'bottom-up' tools and participatory actions. This preference is based on an increasing body of evidence. For example, Dam et al. (2009) explore the transi-tion of societal organisation from heavy reliance on the state towards self-organisation by citizens in communities. They note that private citizens are increasingly expected to take responsibility for the direction of their own lives. The suc-cess of the LEADER programme also comes from the space it gives for bottom-up approaches, for partnership and co-creation. Based on the model elaborated by Lukesch (2007), Katona Kovács et al. (2011) examined, from the three modes of operation offered by the model (animating actions, struc-turing actions and consolidating actions), the types of activities of the Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the North Great Plain region. Their results demonstrate the importance of animating actions amongst the LAGs in the region. In this region the level of governance is such that "the ability of people to articulate their common needs is the starting point for many innovations ... It is the only point where we can speak about development programmes in the strict sense" (Lukesch, 2007, p.16). Today animating actions are the most needed operations in the North Great Plain region, so as to encourage different actors to work together and experience the results of common thinking. Dialogue about the common needs is an important first step to help the development of local communities.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08795
Notes:
Pages 219-240 in Dillon, Justin, Towards a convergence between science and environmental education: the selected works of Justin Dillon. United States: Routledge, New York City, New York, 2017. 361 pages.
Online via University of Illinois Online Catalog., This study among beef producers analyzed the what, why and how of beef producers' learning to improve land condition. Findings suggested the value of organized collective learning, adversity, and active experimentation with natural resource skills and techniques can facilitate critical reflection of practice, questioning of the self, others and cultural norms and an enhanced sense of environmental responsibility.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C29796
Notes:
Pages 271-275 in Ian Scoones and John Thompson (eds.), Farmer First revisited: innovation for agricultural research and development. Practical Action Publishing, Warwickshire, U.K. 357 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37036
Notes:
Pages 165-187 in Bill Vitek and Wes Jackson (eds.), The virtues of ignorance: complexity, sustainability and the limits of knowledge. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington. 354 pages.
Wirastuti, Dewi (author), Luckin, Rose (author), Sheriff, Ray E. (author), Walker, Kevin (author), Underwood, Josh (author), and Dunckley, Lynne (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Published:
IEEE
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 101 Document Number: D10883
Notes:
8 pages., Fifth IEEE International Conference on Wireless, Mobile, and Ubiquitous Technology in Education., via online journal., This paper presents an innovative application of wireless, mobile and ubiquitous technologies to support informal and collaborative learning in Kenyan rural farming communities. Such an approach is achieved by the development of a knowledge management system (KMS) integrated with existing local community communication channels, together with experimental knowledge management (KM) initiatives employing the VeSeL (Village e-Science for Life) distributed resource kits (DRKs). The initiatives support illiterate and semi-literate farming community groups, in learning new agriculture practices, and also enable the use of advanced digital technology to improve their agricultural practices and literacy levels. Results of a recent field trip to Kenya are presented and an application sketch is developed. The process of applying wireless and Internet technologies for the education of local farming communities, using irrigation and water management as the application, concludes the paper.
Witte, Marlys Hearst (author), Crown, Peter (author), Bernas, Michael (author), and Witte, Charles L. (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2008
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37039
Notes:
Pages 251-272 in Bill Vitek and Wes Jackson (eds.), The virtues of ignorance: complexity, sustainability and the limits of knowledge. University Press of Kentucky, Lexington. 354 pages.
Sligo, F.X. (author), Massey, Claire (author), and Department of Communication and Journalism, Massey University
Massey University, New Zealand Centre for SME Research
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2007-04
Published:
Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10440
13 pages., Via online journal., This study reports on New Zealand dairy farmers’ access to and use of information as mediated through conditions of risk and trust within the context of their interpersonal social networks. We located participants’ reports of their information use within their perceived environments of trust and risk, following Giddens's [1990. The consequences of modernity. Polity Press, Stanford, CA] typology of trust and risk in pre-modernity and modernity. The research participants were constant users of interpersonal and print information from numerous sources, and monitored their incoming data in the light of strategic needs, reflecting their roles as both farming practitioners and business owners. Socio-spatial knowledge networks (SSKNs) combine individuals’ explanatory cognitive models of information acquisition and use with a micro-geographical analysis of their interpersonal networks. The participants showed characteristics of pre-modern, modern and even post-modern society in respect of their use of complex interactional forms, as well as a blending of individualistic and communitarian practices and concerns in their professional and personal lives.
Farooq, Umer (author), Merkel, Cecelia B. (author), Lu Xiao (author), Nash, Heather (author), Rosson, Mary Beth (author), and Carroll, John M. (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2006
Published:
Interational
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 192 Document Number: D03235
Aslin, Heather (author), Andrew, Jennifer (author), Breckwoldt, Roland (author), Crombie, Alastair (author), Kelly, Dana (author), Holmes, Tanya (author), and Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Australian Government, Barton, ACT.
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
2005-07
Published:
Australia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C27016
Notes:
Executive summary posted at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HCC/05-105sum.html; full report posted at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HCC/05-105.pdf, RIRDC Publication No. 05-105.
Cartmell, D. Dwayne II (author), Majors, Melissa (author), Ashlock, Marcus A. (author), and Sitton, Shelly Peper (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2005-02-05
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 142 Document Number: C21884
Notes:
Paper presented to Agricultural Communications Section, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists, Little Rock, Arkansas, February 5-9, 2005. 16 pages.
Dillon, Justin (author), Rickinson, Mark (author), Sanders, Dawn (author), and Teamey, Kelly (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2005
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08794
Notes:
Pages 187-203 in Dillon, Justin, Towards a convergence between science and environmental education: the selected works of Justin Dillon. United States: Routledge, New York City, New York, 2017. 361 pages.
