Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications

Campus Units

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Education and Studies, Center for Crops Utilization Research

Document Type

Article

Publication Version

Published Version

Publication Date

3-2016

Journal or Book Title

NACTA Journal

Volume

60

Issue

1

First Page

35

Last Page

41

Abstract

In 2007, a Virtual Education Center for Biorenewable Resources was initiated that offered three online courses, one being Biorenewable Resources and Tech¬nology (BRT) 501 – Fundamentals of BRT. The objective was to assess student perceptions on two delivery methods, course assessments, module material, and student learning. Twenty students completed the survey of qualitative aspects of student experiences in BRT 501. The biomass production module brought non-farm students closer to the knowledge level of farm students as demonstrated by students’ self-assessed knowl¬edge and their BRT 501 assessment scores. Students desired a stronger connection with the course instructor and peers, whether electronically or in-person. This may reflect a relationship between student-instructor connectedness and grade point average (GPA). Market signals to students in the form of scholarship GPA min¬imums and employer interview requirements as well as higher GPA leading to better jobs with higher incomes may influence student interest in connectedness to the instructor.

Comments

This article is from NACTA Journal 60 (2016): 35–41. Posted with permission.

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Open

Copyright Owner

NACTA

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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