Do Teacher Workshops as a Professional Development Activity Provide the Adequate Skills, Knowledge and Confidence to Deliver the GPS Cows NSW Stage 4 Technology Mandatory Module?

Authors

  • Jaime Manning CQUniversity
  • Amy Cosby CQUniversity
  • Eloise Fogarty CQUniversity
  • Bobby Harreveld CQUniversity

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v32i3.338

Keywords:

agricultural technologies, agri-tech education, digital technologies, high school teachers, professional development, teacher workshops

Abstract

The GPS Cows Module is a co-developed, Australian resource that aims to increase the knowledge and skills of high school students in emerging agricultural technologies. It aligns with many outcomes in the New South Wales (NSW) Stage 4 Technology Mandatory Syllabus, a compulsory subject for Stage 4 students (Years 7–8), that engages students in production and design activities for agriculture, food and other technologies. GPS Cows is a complete resource that teachers can apply into their teaching program. To facilitate the knowledge, skills and confidence required to implement the module, a one-day workshop was offered to NSW teachers in 2018 and 2019. To evaluate the workshop, participants completed a survey containing open- and closed-ended questions. Additionally, classroom clickers were used throughout the workshop to gauge the development of skills, knowledge and confidence over time. Overall, the workshop was well received, with over 98% of respondents enjoying the workshop and 97% indicating that the workshop was a good use of time. Positive aspects included the activities and engagement with data analytics, the resources provided, and the clear link between agricultural technologies and the real world. Identified improvements included the time allotted for workshop activities and minor changes to the resource. In conclusion, the professional development workshops enabled teachers to successfully implement GPS Cows in their teaching program.

Author Biographies

Jaime Manning, CQUniversity

Dr Jaime Manning is a lecturer in Agriculture within the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity Australia and an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow. Jaime's main research interests are using and incorporating technology on farms to improve the level of monitoring and welfare of livestock (cattle and sheep), whilst providing invaluable information into how we manage livestock and detect issues as they arise in extensive production systems. 

Amy Cosby, CQUniversity

Dr. Amy Cosby is a Research Fellow – Agri-tech Education and Extension at CQUniversity Australia with a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1) and a PhD in Precision Agriculture. Amy is a leading practitioner and researcher in the field of student and teacher engagement within the agricultural industry and has extensive experience in leading large projects with a wide range of partners. Amy currently works with educators, researchers and industry professionals to develop innovative programs to increase the skills and knowledge of teachers and students in agricultural concepts, tools and systems. 

Eloise Fogarty, CQUniversity

Dr. Eloise Fogarty is a Senior Research Officer within the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at CQUniversity Australia. She has a B.AnVetBioSci (Hons 1 & Medal) and a PhD in animal behaviour and welfare assessment through remote sensing technologies. Her main research interests are the use of agricultural technology on farms to improve the health and welfare of livestock, particularly the use of machine learning to facilitate autonomous monitoring in extensive systems. 

Bobby Harreveld, CQUniversity

Bobby Harreveld is a researcher who works within socio-cultural contructs and contexts of education, specifically in the areas of adult and professional education, vocational education and training, open and distance education.

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Published

18-11-2022

How to Cite

Manning, J., Cosby, A., Fogarty, E., & Harreveld, B. (2022). Do Teacher Workshops as a Professional Development Activity Provide the Adequate Skills, Knowledge and Confidence to Deliver the GPS Cows NSW Stage 4 Technology Mandatory Module?. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 32(3), 22–37. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v32i3.338