RDEV40600 Ag Extension&Innovation Online

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module is a Level 4 module and a core module for the Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation (Option B) where students are on an approved professional internship or working in a relevant role. It may be available as an elective module to other postgraduate programmes on a case by case basis.
This module focuses on processes of learning and behaviour change as they relate to farm level decision making, technology adoption and creation of innovation. It examines the link between agricultural research, farm advisory services and agricultural education as part of the ‘Knowledge transfer’ triangle and how extension and education can be seen as a science, a process/activity and as a policy instrument. The module explores the social and psychological factors that influence farmer learning, innovation and behaviour change. This is critically important in farm productivity, profitability and viability.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain the evolution of agricultural extension services, the link between research, education and extension and their role as instruments of agricultural and rural development policy
2. Distinguish innovation from invention, distinguish different types of innovation and understand the role of knowledge and learning in agricultural and rural innovation
3. Recognise farming as a socio-cultural practice and identify economic, social, cultural, and psychological factors that affect farm household decision making and innovation
4. Be familiar with different theories and strategies for adult learning
5. Be able to develop an education or advisory programme to support adoption of a simple innovation or technology

Indicative Module Content:

The AKIS - Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System
Innovation - how it comes about and how it diffuses
Rural Sociology and the farm family
Farmer decision making and barriers to change
Adult learning and the design of learning programmes

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

60
Tutorial

4
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Online Learning

36
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In this on-line module, students will work in groups and engage in peer to peer learning as well as autonomous learning. Projects and assignments are designed to stimulate learning. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Small Group Assignment on Extension Education and Reseach linkages Week 5 n/a Graded No

40
Assignment: Individual Assignment on Farm Innovation Week 8 n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Individual Assignment on Farm Family Decision making Week 12 n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Sinéad Flannery Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor James Kinsella Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Miss Karen McGrath Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás Russell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Odd Weeks Tues 17:00 - 18:50