Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A perspective that could help in changing focus from teaching to learning could be illus-
trated by the formula: knowledge = information × processing
The process of 'processing' encompasses the mental activities of taking in information,
ref lecting on it, interpreting and integrating it within an existing framework. When there is
zero information or zero processing, there is zero knowledge. This perspective could open up
different ways to look on the information that the instructor will find relevant for students.
Different kinds of information could be included, and could be delivered in several ways, but
probably not only as lectures that give no time for processing. This approach puts greater focus
on the ref lection and assimilation skills for information processing, and this could be a key to
developing activities in the curriculum.
Among the methods that seem successful in achieving relevant processing are the problem-
oriented and project-based learning and case-study approaches that take students out of the
classroom and into the real world to face similar challenges to those they will confront on the
job. Our design of courses to meet the needs of students has begun to focus on the knowledge,
skills, attitudes and capacity to future scenario building; the essential competencies to be
developed by students as they 'become agroecologists' (Lieblein
et
al
. 2004).
Programs and courses in organic farming and agroecology
As different models are being used to provide education in organic agriculture, it is important
to describe the complementarities between agroecology and organic agriculture as understood
in the Nordic region. Agroecology is chosen for the title of courses that embrace systems
thinking, experiential learning and holistic approaches to the study of farming systems and
food systems. The term is seen as a useful umbrella that accommodates relevant disciplines
and permits us to integrate these in contextual learning situations. Because of the personal and
professional interests of individuals or groups in the agroecology discipline, organic systems
are often used as examples and models to illustrate the importance of holistic thinking, design-
ing for complexity and resilience in systems, and considering the efficiency of the complete
human food cycle. Examples of courses that add to the already rich diversity in current univer-
sity course offerings are described brief ly here, recognising that efforts to build organic agri-
culture education are on the rise today, especially in Europe. A brief explanation of educational
programs in several European countries is provided in Box 16.1. This section offers ideas to
those looking for models to base their efforts in course design, as well as serving as a preamble
for the future design of learning landscapes for agroecology and ecological agriculture.
Denmark
Formal courses in organic agriculture at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
(Den Kongelige Veterinær-og Landbohøjskole, KVL) were first offered in 1988, coinciding
with the expansion of the organic sector in the country. 'Ecological agriculture' was the title of
a popular 12 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points course (30 ECTS being equiva-
lent to one semester of full-time at Masters level). Under the free choice option available to
Danish students, there were as many as 80 students taking this course in the early 1990s.
Group-based project work and interdisciplinary learning were hallmarks of this course and
students worked with real-life conversion plans for farms undergoing change towards organic
farming for their projects. Global perspectives and values orientation have been important
features of the course. In later years, based on the demand for a BSc level course for students
requiring only an overview of organic agriculture, a new six ECTS point course 'Introduction
to ecological agriculture' was commenced in 1998. Both courses were offered in Danish by
faculty members of the Organic Farming Unit. Declining student demand, introduction of
