Post on 24-Dec-2015
The place of agricultural education in a National Curriculum Nigel Grant –
President, NAAE16th Biennial
Conference - National Association of
Agricultural Educators
What we have traditionally done.....a) Contribute to science education in years 7-12 – but especially, years 11-1216th Biennial Conference -
National Association of Agricultural Educators
What we have traditionally done.....
b) Contribute to Vocational Education & Training in years 9-12
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators
Tradition is fine, but the world is changing...
National Curriculum There is widespread lack of
knowledge with respect to agricultural production – a growing disconnection between consumers and producers
Increasing community expectations in terms of environmental sustainability and food safety
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators
Other issues impacting our profession...
Financial pressure (less funding for teaching agricultural subjects)
Declining enrolments in agricultural subjects – especially senior Agricultural Science
An aging teacher population
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators
An analogy (re-visited)...
The changes that are facing us are a bit like Climate Change...
Some want to deny it (and hope it will go away)
In some circumstances we can seek to mitigate the changes
In other ways, we must adapt
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators
Ways to mitigate changeContribute to the debate – at national, state and local school level
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators
ACARA encourages involvement of all stakeholders during this key stage of curriculum development.Opportunities will be available to provide feedback on the draft curriculum through:Completion of an on-line survey State/territory and national consultation forums Some short-term, intensive activities with teachers and schools using the draft curriculum materials.
Ways to adapt to change
We need to re-invent ourselves and our view of agricultural education...
Broaden our concept of agricultural education to include all years of schooling
Refine our concept of agricultural education to highlight our ability to help students connect with the new world order priorities of climate change, food security and energy security16th Biennial Conference -
National Association of Agricultural Educators
More ways to adapt to change
We need to enter into strategic alliances...
Primary Industries Education Foundation
Other professional associations Australian Association of Environmental
Educators Australian Science Teachers Association
16th Biennial Conference - National Association of Agricultural
Educators