Age 7206 Methods of Teaching Agriculture

AGE 7206 METHODS OF TEACHING AGRICULTURE

Instructors:Dr. Paul Kibwika (B.Sc. Agric., M.Sc. Agric (Agric Extension/Ed.), PhD Social Science); Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Extension/Educ; and Mr. John James Okiror

Course Type:Elective for MSc Agricultural Extension/Education

Course Credits :3 CU

Course Duration:

Pre-requisites: none

Course Description

Philosophical foundations of agricultural education and extension; objectives of teaching agriculture; landmarks of agricultural education in Uganda; education and rural transformation; the school and community relationships; how to meet community expectations

Planning for instruction: designing vocational agriculture curriculum; school syllabus and schemes of work; lesson planning and preparation; evaluation and assessment of teaching; grading and record keeping; management of student behaviour; supervision of instruction and teaching practice

Methods of teaching agriculture: demonstration methods; discussions; problem solving/ discovery; field trips; role plays and simulations; project method; exhibitions. Teaching techniques: questioning; assignments; note-taking and use of library. Teaching aids and audio-visual equipment

Application of learning; supervised agricultural experiences programs (SAEPs); farmer-field schools; Agricultural co-curricular activities; advising adult education programs (FAL) and student organizations, FFA, 4H and Young Farmers’ Clubs

Issues and developments in agriculture: overview of agricultural policies; indigenous knowledge systems; environmental degradation and climate change; financing and vocationalizing education: national budgets and investment in education; financing agricultural instruction; problems and constraints in financing education

Computer applications in agriculture: literature search and e-learning resources; spreadsheets (SPSS and Excel) and simple data bases. Scientific applications like power-point presentations and statistical programs (SPSS); internet and e-mail, home page design, mail merge and e-groups

Course Objectives

• To equip students with methods and techniques of teaching agriculture including preparation and use audio-visual materials and equipment
• To enable students plan and prepare lessons plans for theory and practical sessions in agriculture as well as assess learners performance, give feedback and keep records of work done
• To enable students facilitate out-of-school agriculture program for adults and youths
• To enable students have working knowledge of issues and developments in agriculture and other cross-cutting issues effecting agricultural development

Reading List

• Farrant, J. S. (1999). Principles and Practice of Education. (4th Impression). Singapore Longman.
• Newcomb, L. H., McCracken, J. D., Warmbrod, J. R., & Whittington, M. S. (2004). Methods of Teaching Agriculture(3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.
• Olaitan, S. O. (1985). Agricultural Education in the Tropics: Methodology for Teaching Agriculture. Macmillan Publishers, London
• Ssekamwa, J., C. (1997). History and development of education in Uganda.Kampala, Uganda: Fountain Publishers.
• Taylor, P. (1999). The Agriculture Science Teachers’ Handbook, VSO Books. The Chameleon Press, London.

Detailed Course outline

5. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED

Interactive lectures40 hrs

Independent study/ assignments20hrs

6. OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION

Continuous Assessment Test30%

Individual Assignments10%

Final examination60%

END