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Developing threshold learning outcomes for agricultural science
Citation
Botwright Acuna, T and Kelder, J-A and Lane, P and Hannan, G and Jones, S, Developing threshold learning outcomes for agricultural science, International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 21, (5) pp. 54-66. ISSN 2200-4270 (2013) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Institute for Innovation in Science & Mathematics Education (IISME)
Official URL: http://ojs-prod.library.usyd.edu.au/index.php/CAL/...
Abstract
Developing Threshold Learning Outcomes for Agricultural Science Learning and Teaching Academic Standard (LTAS) Statements have recently been published across a number of disciplines and have contributed to the national regulation and quality assurance framework being developed by the Higher Education Standards Panel. The Science Standards Statement (SSS) contains a statement on the Nature and Extent of Science and articulated Threshold Learning Outcome (TLOs) statements representing the minimum levels of achievement expected of a bachelor level Science graduate. Our project aimed to adapt the SSS, in particular, the TLOs for Science to the Agricultural Science discipline to reflect the discipline-specific attributes and to achieve a measure of national consensus on Agricultural Science TLOs including endorsement from the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. We report on the process and outcomes of developing a draft Agricultural Science Standards Statement (AgSSS). The project method broadly followed that of the national LTAS Science project (2010/11) on a smaller scale. A targeted consultation process through facilitated workshops with teaching academics from the University of Tasmania’s School of Agricultural Science provided qualitative data. This data informed the adaptation of the survey used by the LTAS Science Project to include Agricultural Science. The Agricultural Science survey was administered to staff of the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and two interstate universities. Key findings are that a statement on the nature and extent of Agricultural Science needs to capture its multi-disciplinary nature and that TLOs should incorporate minimum levels of achievement in vocational knowledge. Project outcomes will contribute to the future renewal and revitalization of the Agricultural Science curriculum and facilitate meeting reporting requirements, such as those required by TEQSA. The process can serve as one model for wider dissemination and adapting the Science TLOs within UTAS and other universities. The next phase of the project is to define course-level learning outcomes more specifically for Agricultural Science degrees at UTAS as a first step towards aligning our curriculum and assessment with nationally-agreed Agriculture TLOs.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | vocational training, curriculum mapping |
Research Division: | Education |
Research Group: | Curriculum and pedagogy |
Research Field: | Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy |
Objective Division: | Education and Training |
Objective Group: | Teaching and curriculum |
Objective Field: | Teaching and curriculum not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Botwright Acuna, T (Associate Professor Tina Acuna) |
UTAS Author: | Kelder, J-A (Dr Jo-Anne Kelder) |
UTAS Author: | Lane, P (Associate Professor Peter Lane) |
UTAS Author: | Hannan, G (Dr Greg Hannan) |
UTAS Author: | Jones, S (Professor Susan Jones) |
ID Code: | 86522 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Deposited By: | Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture |
Deposited On: | 2013-09-20 |
Last Modified: | 2014-11-25 |
Downloads: | 3 View Download Statistics |
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