Maria Navarro

Through Student Eyes: Perceptions and Aspirations of Students from the Armenian State Agrarian University and Selected European Universities

Abstract This research compared attributes of students enrolled in the Armenian State Agrarian University (ASAU) with university students from 30 European countries (EFMD) about graduate study policy issues. A cross-national comparative design used a survey questionnaire to explore contextual, social and cultural phenomena. Samples included 801 ASAU and 3,265 EFMD students. Demographics of samples were similar. Students were largely unaware of the Bologna reforms and the impact on study abroad. Slightly more than half of EFMD participants were in a bachelors programme compared to 96% of ASAU students. ASAU students held a more pragmatic rationale for foreign study, ranking ‘advancing professional careers’ as the top reason, while EFMD students chose ‘overall experience’. Obstacles included bureaucracy, funding and accommodations. Although groups had similar geographical preferences for foreign study, Eastern Europe was more preferred by ASAU students. Half of the EFMD students planned graduate enrollment ‘immediately following the degree’ compared to one-quarter of ASAU students. Half of the EFMD students were aware of mobility scholarships compared to three-quarters of ASAU students. One in two EFMD students reported university media rankings important compared to one in seven ASAU students. The Bologna Declaration accelerated horizontal collaboration among European universities. Students have a larger collective voice in curriculum change. The findings of this research provide a better understanding of student aspirations, motivations, expectations and barriers. These findings can contribute to guiding policies and procedures for recruitment, admission, retention and mobility.

How Can Agricultural and Extension Educators Contribute to a Successful New Green Revolution

Abstract In the middle of the 20th century, many in the world were predicting catastrophic starvation that was halted by the Green Revolution. To address continued population growth and the unsolved problems of the Green Revolution, many hope for a new and different Green Revolution. Supporters of a biotechnology-based revolution claim that it could increase crop quality and solve production problems in marginal lands in a manner that is environmentally benign and also appropriate for low-resource farmers. Critics base their arguments on often-cited secondary consequences of the Green Revolution together with concerns about biotechnology. The purpose of the paper is to present approaches by which agricultural and extension educators can contribute to a successful new Green Revolution. Some of these approaches include analysis of lessons learned in past development programs; working for a ‘technology pull’ instead of a ‘technology push’; researching, educating, and improving extension systems; participating in public dialogue; aiming for open, mutidirectional, universal, equitable, and all-encompassing development programs; advocating; and adapting to new trends of development cooperation.

An Evaluation of the 4-H "Health Rocks" Program: Implications for Program Improvement.

The National 4-H Council developed the Health Rocks substance abuse educational program to prevent youth from engaging in risky behaviors. The program was presented in 2010 to more than 8,000 middle school youth in Georgia. A post-then-pre evaluation was conducted with youth who completed 10 hours of instruction to determine if changes in youth knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, skills, and behavioral intentions occurred during the course of the program. This study sought to measure the impact of the program and critically evaluate the questionnaire used. The data revealed statistically significant increases in knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, skills, and behavioral intentions of participating youth. Suggestions for improvement of the questionnaire included utilizing questions that are more specific to the curriculum and adding questions to measure the influence of peer pressure.

Integrating the humanities and engineering: The implications of an interdisciplinary-based learning module

An integrative learning module was used as an instructional method of integrating the humanities into engineering courses. This module was implemented into a freshman engineering course and a sophomore/junior engineering course. Student perceptions of characteristics needed by engineering professionals and how the module affected these perceptions were assessed. Overall, the module helped students to have a clearer understanding of the connection between the humanities and engineering practice.