Description
The learning preferences of part-time agriculture students at the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE are the focus of this paper. The ability for providers to offer students flexible attendance patterns and hands-on practical training allied with a balance of alternative course delivery options may improve access and increase student numbers. The research was funded through the NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiative and was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice Scholarship Program.
Summary
About the research
Alan Woods participated in the 2009 community of practice program. Alan is a teacher in agriculture at a college in TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute. In recent years this college has seen a decline in the number of part-time agriculture students. To attempt to halt this decline, Alan's research seeks to understand the learning preferences of part-time agriculture students at this technical and further education (TAFE) campus, to enable course delivery to be better tailored to their needs.
The study comprised a focus group with current part-time students, which was followed by a survey of current and immediate past students to elicit their views on the teaching and delivery of the agriculture program.
Key messages
- Hands-on practical training is highly valued. Students in this study emphasised a preference for this to be maintained or increased, but a lack of access to on-site livestock and regular industry-supported field days impacts on their experiences and outcomes.
- Alternative course delivery options such as online support materials and the use of videos may increase access and flexibility but should not replace practical training opportunities.
- The ability for providers and part-time students to negotiate customised attendance patterns may support increased enrolments.
The author notes that the challenge will be for the agriculture section at this college to respond to these findings and implement teaching and learning strategies which cater to the needs of the part-time student group.
Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER