Dissertations / Theses on the topic '050203 Environmental Education and Extension'

This thesis is a work-in-progress that articulates my research journey based on the development of a curriculum innovation in environmental education. This journey had two distinct, but intertwined phases: action research based fieldwork, conducted collaboratively, to create a whole school approach to environmental education curriculum planning; and a phase of analysis and reflection based on the emerging findings, as I sought to create personal "living educational theory" about change and innovation. A key stimulus for the study was the perceived theory-practice gap in environmental education, which is often presented in the literature as a criticism of teachers for failing to achieve the values and action objectives of critical environmental education. Hence, many programs and projects are considered to be superficial and inconsequential in terms of their ability to seriously address environmental issues. The intention of this study was to work with teachers in a project that would be an exemplar of critical environmental education. This would be in the form of a whole school "learnscaping" curriculum in a primary school whereby the schoolgrounds would be utilised for interdisciplinary critical environment education. Parallel with the three cycles of action research in this project, my research objectives were to identify and comment upon the factors that influence the generation of successful educational innovation. It was anticipated that the project would be a collaboration involving me, as researcher-facilitator, and many of the teachers in the school as active participants. As the project proceeded through its action cycles, however, it became obvious that the goal of developing a critical environmental education curriculum, and the use of highly participatory processes, were unrealistic. Institutional and organisational rigidities in education generally, teachers' day-to-day work demands, and the constant juggle of work, family and other responsibilities for all participants acted as significant constraints. Consequently, it became apparent that the learnscaping curriculum would not be the hoped-for exemplar. Progress was slow and, at times, the project was in danger of stalling permanently. While the curriculum had some elements of critical environmental education, these were minor and not well spread throughout the school. Overall, the outcome seemed best described as a "small win"; perhaps just another example of the theory-practice gap that I had hoped this project would bridge. Towards the project's end, however, my continuing reflection led to an exploration of chaos/complexity theory which gave new meaning to the concept of a "small win". According to this theory, change is not the product of linear processes applied methodically in purposeful and diligent ways, but emerges from serendipitous events that cannot be planned for, or forecast in advance. When this perspective of change is applied to human organisations - in this study, a busy school - the context for change is recognised not as a stable, predictable environment, but as a highly complex system where change happens all the time, cannot be controlled, and no one can be really sure where the impacts might lead. This so-called "butterfly effect" is a central idea of this theory where small changes or modifications are created - the effects of which are difficult to know, let alone determine - and which can have large-scale impacts. Allied with this effect is the belief that long term developments in an organisation that takes complexity into account, emerge by spontaneous self-organising evolution, requiring political interaction and learning in groups, rather than systematic progress towards predetermined goals or "visions". Hence, because change itself and the contexts of change are recognised as complex, chaos/complexity theory suggests that change is more likely to be slow and evolutionary - cultural change - rather than fast and revolutionary where the old is quickly ushered out by radical reforms and replaced by new structures and processes. Slow, small-scale changes are "normal", from a complexity viewpoint, while rapid, wholesale change is both unlikely and unrealistic. Therefore, the frustratingly slow, small-scale, imperfect educational changes that teachers create - including environmental education initiatives - should be seen for what they really are. They should be recognised as successful changes, the impacts of which cannot be known, but which have the potential to magnify into large-scale changes into the future. Rather than being regarded as failures for not meeting critical education criteria, "small wins" should be cause for celebration and support. The intertwined phases of collaborative action research and individual researcher reflection are mirrored in the thesis structure. The first three chapters, respectively, provide the thesis overview, the literature underpinning the study's central concern, and the research methodology. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 report on each of the three action research cycles of the study, namely Laying the Groundwork, Down to Work!, and The Never-ending Story. Each of these chapters presents a narrative of events, a literature review specific to developments in the cycle, and analysis and critique of the events, processes and outcomes of each cycle. Chapter 7 provides a synthesis of the whole of the study, outlining my interim propositions about facilitating curriculum change in schools through action research, and the implications of these for environmental education.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do CearÃ
A pesquisa faz uma anÃlise das atividades desenvolvidas pelo Programa Parque Vivo, atividade de extensÃo cadastrada na PrÃ-Reitoria de ExtensÃo da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, tomando-o como objeto para o estudo. Baseada na hipÃtese de que uma educaÃÃo ambiental crÃtica-ecolÃgica deve pautar-se na colaboraÃÃo entre os diversos setores da sociedade, e no contexto local do pÃblico atendido, avalia a situaÃÃo geogrÃfica na qual o Parque Vivo desempenhou suas atividades e as dificuldades e potencialidades da parceria construÃda com a Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza. Outra hipÃtese discutida à a de que a extensÃo universitÃria em educaÃÃo ambiental ainda carece de uma maior aproximaÃÃo com a realidade trabalhada, por isso traz para o debate uma reflexÃo sobre a importÃncia da extensÃo universitÃria no processo de educaÃÃo ambiental, aborda as opiniÃes da comunidade estudantil, dos professores do ensino pÃblico e particular, e dos gestores pÃblicos, e ainda, levanta algumas pistas sobre o impacto das âVisitas Monitoradasâ no comportamento de estudantes e professores das escolas recebidas pelo Parque Vivo. O projeto trabalhou com observaÃÃes participativas, anÃlises documentais, entrevistas e registros em vÃdeo e fotos. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que a colaboraÃÃo recÃproca dos agentes pÃblicos à fundamental para o sucesso da educaÃÃo ambiental, mas se as aÃÃes nÃo forem direcionadas para os reais problemas enfrentados pelo pÃblico alvo, o processo educativo pode se desvirtuar. Conclui ainda que existe uma grande demanda da sociedade por aÃÃes de educaÃÃo ambiental da universidade.
A pesquisa faz uma anÃlise das atividades desenvolvidas pelo Programa Parque Vivo, atividade de extensÃo cadastrada na PrÃ-Reitoria de ExtensÃo da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, tomando-o como objeto para o estudo. Baseada na hipÃtese de que uma educaÃÃo ambiental crÃtica-ecolÃgica deve pautar-se na colaboraÃÃo entre os diversos setores da sociedade, e no contexto local do pÃblico atendido, avalia a situaÃÃo geogrÃfica na qual o Parque Vivo desempenhou suas atividades e as dificuldades e potencialidades da parceria construÃda com a Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza. Outra hipÃtese discutida à a de que a extensÃo universitÃria em educaÃÃo ambiental ainda carece de uma maior aproximaÃÃo com a realidade trabalhada, por isso traz para o debate uma reflexÃo sobre a importÃncia da extensÃo universitÃria no processo de educaÃÃo ambiental, aborda as opiniÃes da comunidade estudantil, dos professores do ensino pÃblico e particular, e dos gestores pÃblicos, e ainda, levanta algumas pistas sobre o impacto das âVisitas Monitoradasâ no comportamento de estudantes e professores das escolas recebidas pelo Parque Vivo. O projeto trabalhou com observaÃÃes participativas, anÃlises documentais, entrevistas e registros em vÃdeo e fotos. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que a colaboraÃÃo recÃproca dos agentes pÃblicos à fundamental para o sucesso da educaÃÃo ambiental, mas se as aÃÃes nÃo forem direcionadas para os reais problemas enfrentados pelo pÃblico alvo, o processo educativo pode se desvirtuar. Conclui ainda que existe uma grande demanda da sociedade por aÃÃes de educaÃÃo ambiental da universidade.

This research examined how the North Carolina A & T State University Cooperative Extension program has helped limited-resource farmers realize economic, environmental, and social outcomes through its 1890 Extension education program. Since1990, there has been little research on recent contributions of 1890 Extension programs for this audience. This inquiry described educational collaborative efforts among the North Carolina A & T Extension program, North Carolina State University (NCSU), other 1862 land-grant universities, community-based organizations, and government agencies providing nonformal education and services to limited-resource farmers. Personal interviews were conducted with two Extension specialists, one associate, two agents, and two agricultural and natural resource technicians. A focus group was conducted with nine limited-resource farmers.The findings revealed that the Farmers Adopting Computer Training (FACT), Plasticulture, and Pastured-Swine programs have helped enhance limited-resource farmers' economic, environmental, and social outcomes. In addition, the participants confirmed caring, trust, and relationship building as qualities that encouraged their participation. However, participants indicated that scheduling Extension programs that conflict with planting and harvesting season and programs that do not address farmers' needs and issues prevent their participation in Extension programs. Furthermore, North Carolina A & T Extension programs involved farmers in program planning through advisory committees and mentoring other farmers. Participants indicated that NC A & T collaborates with North Carolina State University, community-based organizations, and other government agencies to meet the needs of limited-resource farmers.The data suggest that the following improvements and changes for the North Carolina A & T Extension program: (a) use the outcome-based evaluation approach to evaluate Extension programs, (b) provide training for Extension faculty on program planning models, (c) continue the FACT, plasticulture, and pastured-swine production programs, (d) educate faculty in other schools and colleges at NC A & T State University about Extension programs, and (e) develop joint programs with other schools and colleges at North Carolina A & T State University.
Ph. D.

This study investigates and expands learning associated with the co-management of fisheries resources to inform extension and training in the fisheries sector in two case study sites in Malawi. The study was located in the field of environmental education with a specific focus on community learning, agency and sustainability practices in co-management of fisheries resources. It focuses on how fisheries stakeholder learning can be mediated through expansive social learning processes to inform extension and training in the Malawi fisheries sector and aims at understanding learning as an emergent, agency centred process of change through social learning models that are said to have power to mobilise community agency for change. The empirical research for the study was conducted in two Malawian fishing communities: in Lake Malombe and the south-east arm of Lake Malawi using qualitative case study research design. The two sites were selected because they were the first sites in Malawi to implement fisheries co-management programmes following the failure of centralised management of fisheries resources. Data was generated through interviews, focus group discussions, document analysis, observations and change laboratory workshops in both sites. The two sites fall under one administrative office based in Mangochi where the two important institutions of the sector – the Fisheries Research Unit of the Department of Fisheries and the Fisheries College (a government institution responsible for the training of extension services) are also based. Both sites have implemented new governance structures named Beach Village Committees which are community-based organisational structures that function in parallel with traditional authorities to manage the fishery. Contextual and literature review work showed that extension services and programmes over the past hundred years, as observed in the fisheries sector in Malawi and in extension services elsewhere, have co-evolved with approaches to natural resources management. Early approaches to natural resources management involved traditional management (associated extension services and programmes were community based); later fisheries governance practices changed to centralised management and associated extension approaches were mainly top-down involving command and control or technology transfer. These early approaches have been problematic as resource users were pushed away from their own resources and were viewed as poachers. This resulted in loss of ownership among resources users. Recently in Malawi, after the change of government to democracy in 1994, fisheries management policy focused on co-management and/or adaptive co-management approaches, an approach that has also been adopted in other African water bodies. This has implications for extension service programmes in the fisheries sector that are not yet well defined. The study’s literature review revealed that co-management approaches assume collaborative learning, or co-learning, also termed social learning, or approaches that promote the engagement of different actors who are working on shared practice. They also assume a new form of agency among co-management stakeholders and extension workers. However, the theoretical foundations for establishing co-learning or social learning approaches in support of co-management policies are not well established in the fisheries co-management sector in Malawi, nor are the practices of how to support co-learning amongst diverse stakeholders in the fisheries co-management in the Lake Malawi context. This study sought to address this gap in knowledge and practice.

In this study, the effects of the neonicotinoid pesticide, thiamethoxam, are examined through the Proboscis Extension Response (PER) in honey bees (Apis mellifera). PER is a form of classical conditioning applied to honey bees through scent and reward association which quantifies learning rates. Results between groups treated with thiamethoxam did not differ significantly from untreated control groups. Potential reasons for these results are discussed. The method and experimental apparatus for testing the PER assay are also discussed.

TORRES, Geovany Rocha. A educação ambiental na extensão universitária: uma análise do Programa Parque Vivo. 2008. 198 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Mestrado em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente - Prodema, 2008
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A pesquisa faz uma análise das atividades desenvolvidas pelo Programa Parque Vivo, atividade de extensão cadastrada na Pró-Reitoria de Extensão da Universidade Federal do Ceará, tomando-o como objeto para o estudo. Baseada na hipótese de que uma educação ambiental crítica-ecológica deve pautar-se na colaboração entre os diversos setores da sociedade, e no contexto local do público atendido, avalia a situação geográfica na qual o Parque Vivo desempenhou suas atividades e as dificuldades e potencialidades da parceria construída com a Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza. Outra hipótese discutida é a de que a extensão universitária em educação ambiental ainda carece de uma maior aproximação com a realidade trabalhada, por isso traz para o debate uma reflexão sobre a importância da extensão universitária no processo de educação ambiental, aborda as opiniões da comunidade estudantil, dos professores do ensino público e particular, e dos gestores públicos, e ainda, levanta algumas pistas sobre o impacto das “Visitas Monitoradas” no comportamento de estudantes e professores das escolas recebidas pelo Parque Vivo. O projeto trabalhou com observações participativas, análises documentais, entrevistas e registros em vídeo e fotos. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que a colaboração recíproca dos agentes públicos é fundamental para o sucesso da educação ambiental, mas se as ações não forem direcionadas para os reais problemas enfrentados pelo público alvo, o processo educativo pode se desvirtuar. Conclui ainda que existe uma grande demanda da sociedade por ações de educação ambiental da universidade.
A pesquisa faz uma análise das atividades desenvolvidas pelo Programa Parque Vivo, atividade de extensão cadastrada na Pró-Reitoria de Extensão da Universidade Federal do Ceará, tomando-o como objeto para o estudo. Baseada na hipótese de que uma educação ambiental crítica-ecológica deve pautar-se na colaboração entre os diversos setores da sociedade, e no contexto local do público atendido, avalia a situação geográfica na qual o Parque Vivo desempenhou suas atividades e as dificuldades e potencialidades da parceria construída com a Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza. Outra hipótese discutida é a de que a extensão universitária em educação ambiental ainda carece de uma maior aproximação com a realidade trabalhada, por isso traz para o debate uma reflexão sobre a importância da extensão universitária no processo de educação ambiental, aborda as opiniões da comunidade estudantil, dos professores do ensino público e particular, e dos gestores públicos, e ainda, levanta algumas pistas sobre o impacto das “Visitas Monitoradas” no comportamento de estudantes e professores das escolas recebidas pelo Parque Vivo. O projeto trabalhou com observações participativas, análises documentais, entrevistas e registros em vídeo e fotos. Os resultados obtidos comprovam que a colaboração recíproca dos agentes públicos é fundamental para o sucesso da educação ambiental, mas se as ações não forem direcionadas para os reais problemas enfrentados pelo público alvo, o processo educativo pode se desvirtuar. Conclui ainda que existe uma grande demanda da sociedade por ações de educação ambiental da universidade.

A presente pesquisa é um estudo de caso sobre o grupo de extensão universitária em educação ambiental da ESALQ-USP denominado \"Programa Ponte\". No referencial teórico são analisadas distintas concepções de ciência, ambientalismo, educação, universidade e extensão universitária; além da caracterização do ambiente educacional da instituição de ensino superior em que o Programa Ponte se insere, a ESALQ-USP. Os objetivos deste estudo são: contribuir para a compreensão sobre limites e possibilidades da universidade em apoiar uma educação voltada à formação de cidadãos comprometidos com a construção de sociedades sustentáveis; realizar um estudo sobre o caso do \"Programa Ponte\", buscando indícios que apontem para o enfrentamento da crise socioambiental; relacionar a dimensão global da crise socioambiental e distintas mudanças paradigmáticas com o contexto local da atuação do Programa Ponte. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa qualitativa de estudo de caso, e os métodos de coleta de informações foram: análises documentais, entrevistas, e questionário. Os participantes da coleta são pessoas que atuam ou atuaram no Programa Ponte, e que forneceram informações tanto para a descrição do grupo quanto sobre a relevância desta experiência em suas vidas profissionais, acadêmicas e pessoais. Os resultados apresentam-se a partir da triangulação das informações obtidas na coleta, relacionando com o estudo teórico e valorizando as percepções e insights do pesquisador que foram surgindo ao longo de todo o processo. De um modo geral, pode-se perceber que algumas características que foram relacionadas à experiência no Ponte são relevantes para propiciar uma formação universitária condizente com sociedades sustentáveis, valendo a pena destacar: o cultivo da transdisciplinaridade, das relações sociais, da curiosidade, da potência de ação, a relação com o trabalho, a práxis, o diálogo, a disciplina, o acolhimento, a relação com o movimento estudantil e a democracia.
The present research is a case study about a university extension group in environmental education of ESALQ-USP called Programa Ponte. The theoretical framework and literature review for this study provides different conceptions of science, environmentalism, education, university extension and university; in addition to the characterization of the educational environment of the institution of higher education in which the Programa Ponte is inserted, ESALQ-USP. The aim of this study is: contribute to the understanding of the university\'s limits and possibilities to support an education directed to the formation of citizens committed to the construction of sustainable societies; to carry out a study on the case of the Programa Ponte, seeking indications that point to the overcoming of the socio-environmental crisis; to relate the global dimension of the socio-environmental crisis and different paradigmatic changes with the local context of the Ponte Program\'s acting. The methodology used was the qualitative study of case study, and the methods of information collection were: documentary analyzes, interviews, and quizz. Participants of the research are people who work or participated in the Programa Ponte, who provided information for both the group\'s description and the relevance of this experience in their professional, academic and personal lives. The results are based on information triangulation obtained in the research, relating to the theoretical study and valuing the insights of the researcher that have emerged throughout the process. In general, it can be noticed that some characteristics that were related to the experience in the Ponte are relevant to provide a university formation consistent with sustainable societies, worth noting: the cultivation of transdisciplinarity, social relevancy, curiosity, power of action, the relation with the work, the praxis, the dialogue, the discipline, the reception, the relation with the student movement and the democracy.

Apesar de diversos tipos de entidades se voltarem à recuperação das APPs com a justificativa de contribuir para a conservação das bacias hidrográficas, observa-se que a degradação dos ambientes em que vivemos é uma realidade cada dia mais preocupante. As instituições que realizam estes trabalhos e os técnicos que as representam, de forma geral, consideram as populações das áreas rurais apenas como implementadores de suas idéias e práticas, sem entender a real visão que seus interlocutores têm sobre o assunto. Esta proposta de mestrado objetivou realizar um estudo de caso no intuito de contribuir para a produção de conhecimentos voltados à gestão de bacias hidrográficas e a políticas públicas direcionadas à conservação dos recursos naturais. Para isso buscou uma maior compreensão sobre as diferentes concepções a respeito da relação entre água, bacia hidrográfica e mata ciliar e sua influência nas propostas de manejo vigentes em três grupos sociais da bacia do Campestre, Saltinho, SP: a) sitiantes, b) técnicos ligados a projetos de restauração florestal, c) acadêmicos ligados à hidrologia florestal. Os resultados apontaram que os três grupos percebem uma degradação ambiental na bacia, porém, através de três concepções distintas, que fundamentam distintos discursos e práticas para a conservação da qualidade e quantidade de água. Esta situação se mostrou como um dos motivos que vem impedindo um efetivo diálogo entre proprietários rurais e técnicos e interferindo na própria conservação. Isto demonstra que é necessário que se leve em consideração a representação que a população possui sobre seu ambiente, além de outros aspectos sociais fundamentais para sua compreensão, na busca de um efetivo diálogo entre os envolvidos. Isso é essencial para que seja possível caminhar em direção à desejada conservação, que deve ser construída, desde sua concepção até sua implementação, sempre de forma compartilhada.
Several Institutions are involved with the recovery of the "buffer zones", aimed at contributing to watershed conservation because of the continuing degradation of our environment. In general rural areas populations are taken into account by the Institutions responsible for these works as well as their representatives, but as only as recipient of their ideas and practices, not taking into consideration their own needs and views of the situation. This Master thesis main objective was to work on a case study with the aim to improve watershed management knowledge as well as establish public policies towards the conservation of natural resources. For this purpose a comparative analysis was made with three human social groups of the Campestre creek watershed (Saltinho County, State of Sao Paulo). These three groups were a) the rural land owners, b) technicians and c) scholars who are linked with forest hydrology. The results pointed out that all these groups do known that an environmental degradation of the creek is taking place but always differ according to different concepts about water, watersheds and riparian forests interrelation. These different perceptions establish the distinct practices on the usage of the natural resources. This can be considered one of the causes that prevents an effective dialogue between rural land owners and technicians. This is one of the causes interfering in the very objective of conservation itself. Thus it has been demonstrated that it is important to search for an effective dialogue between all sectors involved, taking into consideration the perception of the communities plus any basic social aspects that may help the technicians to understand the social conservation processes. These need the co-participation of all involved parties in order to effectively construct the desired environmental conservation.

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The central proposal of this work is to elucidate the practice of transferring technology to family farmers carried by the official rural extension system between the years of 1975 and 2008. To take technologies to the rural man, the rural extension has served in several areas providing the insertion of the farmer in "technological packs" of the green revolution, propelling this process, based on an economic rationality, which, despite providing great advances in the growth of agriculture and livestock, it has caused negative impacts to the environment. To know the thoughts of farmers and technicians about the educational practices inserted in the work of rural extension 57 counties were visited, corresponding to a sample of approximately 25% of the total of all counties in the state of Goiás where 268 interviews were conducted with 171 family farmers served by the rural extension and 97 with technicians employees of the rural extension. The research covered the following regions: Southwest, South, Railway, Saint Patricio Vale, Antas River, Plateau, Meia Ponte, Paranã Vale, Araguaia Vale, Mesa Sierra, West, Red River, Paranaiba River and Bois River. Bound to this fieldwork, documental analysis were proceeded based on data from the IBGE Agriculture Census/ 2006, the Goiás State Secretary of Planning-SEPLAN/SEPIN and the reports of activities of EMATER-GO in the period of 1975-2008. Studies lead to the conclusion that the technical assistance service and rural extension needs to be rethought, but it can not finish because according to the technicians and farmers, the small farmer still needs a lot from the extension, since the large and average producer can afford to hire the private services, while the small one has only the extension. Family farmers emphasize that the rural extension is essential for the development of productive activities and the preservation of natural resources on their properties. It also concludes that if the EMATER /RURALAGENCY was the organ that intermediated the introduction of technologies in rural areas, it should also contribute to the construction of a new and necessary rationality in the countryside, that incorporates farmers and technicians to the perspective of sustainable development.
A proposta central deste trabalho consiste em elucidar as práticas de transferência de tecnologia para os produtores familiares, empreendidas pelo sistema oficial de extensão rural entre os anos de 1975 e 2008. Para levar as tecnologias ao homem do campo, a extensão rural atuou em várias áreas proporcionando a inserção do agricultor nos pacotes tecnológicos da revolução verde, propulsora desse processo, baseado numa racionalidade econômica que apesar de proporcionar grandes avanços no crescimento da agricultura e pecuária, causou impactos negativos ao meio ambiente. Para conhecer o pensamento dos agricultores e técnicos sobre as práticas educativas inseridas no trabalho de extensão rural, foram visitados 57 municípios, correspondendo a uma amostra de aproximadamente 25% do total de municípios do estado de Goiás, onde foram realizadas 268 entrevistas, sendo 171 com agricultores familiares atendidos pela extensão rural e 97 com técnicos funcionários da extensão rural. A pesquisa abrangeu as seguintes regiões: Sudoeste, Sul, Estrada de Ferro, Vale do São Patrício, Rio das Antas, Planalto, Meia Ponte, Vale do Paranã, Vale do Araguaia, Serra da Mesa, Oeste, Rio Vermelho, Rio Paranaíba e Rio dos Bois. Vinculado a esse trabalho de campo, procedeu-se à análise documental, baseada nos dados do IBGE- Censo Agropecuário/2006, da Secretaria de Planejamento do estado de Goiás-SEPLAN/SEPIN e nos relatórios de atividades da EMATER-GO, no período de 1975-2008. Os estudos levam à conclusão, que o serviço de assistência técnica e extensão rural precisa ser repensado; mas que este não pode acabar, pois, segundo os técnicos e os agricultores familiares, o pequeno agricultor ainda precisa muito da extensão, posto que o grande e médio produtor têm condições de contratar os serviços particulares, enquanto o pequeno só tem a extensão . Os agricultores familiares enfatizam que a extensão rural é essencial para o desenvolvimento das atividades produtivas e preservação dos recursos naturais existentes nas suas propriedades. Conclui ainda, que, se a EMATER/AGENCIARURAL foi o órgão que intermediou a introdução das tecnologias no meio rural, cabe a ela também contribuir na construção de uma nova e necessária racionalidade no campo, que incorpore agricultores e técnicos na perspectiva de um desenvolvimento sustentável.

O ambiente marinho muitas vezes é negligenciado nas discussões ambientais devido ao aparente distanciamento entre esse e nosso cotidiano, tendo sofrido um acentuado processo de transformação e degradação. Assim, fica evidente a necessidade de atividades de Educação Ambiental que abordem tal ambiente. A Exposição interativa Mergulho Fora d\'Água (MFA) insere-se nesse contexto. O presente trabalho visa contribuir para a ampliação do conhecimento sobre concepções de estudantes do Ensino Fundamental acerca do ambiente marinho, bem como para a avaliação e aprimoramento da exposição interativa MFA. A pesquisa apresenta como objetivos específicos investigar concepções iniciais e verificar se e como a atividade MFA influência tais concepções dos alunos do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola da cidade de São Paulo sobre: (1) meio ambiente; (2) ambiente marinho, sua conservação e relação com o cotidiano desses alunos. Para isso, foram aplicados questionários estruturados compostos por questões fechadas e abertas, antes e após os estudantes participarem da exposição MFA. Para a análise dos dados, as respostas de questões abertas foram submetidas a um processo de categorização aberta e as categorias foram comparadas por meio de quantificações simples (cálculo de médias de ocorrência). Respostas provenientes de questões fechadas foram diretamente quantificadas e comparadas. Os dados foram coletados em turmas de sétimo, oitavo e nono ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma Escola Estadual da Cidade de São Paulo, localizada nas proximidades da USP. Um total de 476 estudantes participou da pesquisa. Nossos resultados evidenciaram que os estudantes sujeitos da pesquisa podem apresentar diversas concepções de meio ambiente, aplicando-as dependendo das várias situações as quais são expostos. Por exemplo, como concepções iniciais, ao pensarem no meio ambiente em geral, foram predominantemente Naturalistas e excluíram o homem do meio ambiente. Já quando pensam no ambiente marinho propriamente dito, justificam a necessidade de sua conservação também com base em concepções Naturalistas, mas estabelecem relação entre tal ambiente e seu cotidiano com base em uma concepção Antropocêntrica, justificada principalmente por uso de substâncias e alimentos derivados do mar. Vale ainda ressaltar que uma porcentagem bastante reduzida dos estudantes (20%) conseguiu estabelecer tal relação ambiente marinho-cotidiano. A principal palavra associada a esse ambiente foi “curiosidade” e, ao serem questionados sobre organismos marinhos, os cordados foram os mais citados (baleias, peixes e tubarões). Apesar da persistência de muitas dessas concepções iniciais, pudemos verificar algumas mudanças após a realização da exposição MFA, como uma maior inclusão do homem como elemento do meio ambiente. Além disso, concepções Antropocêntricas e Problema de meio ambiente sofreram redução. Quanto às concepções sobre ambiente marinho, a porcentagem absoluta de estudantes que conseguiu estabelecer a relação desse ambiente com seu cotidiano aumentando discretamente (para 30%). Quanto às palavras associadas ao ambiente marinho, “curiosidade” aumentou para estudantes de todos os anos. Já para os mais jovens alguns aspectos negativos também sofreram aumento (como poluição, doença e medo). No caso do nono ano, a situação foi diferente, ocorrendo maior citação de aspectos positivos, como beleza e diversão. Para todos os anos escolares, as citações de animais não cordados (ex. estrelas e ouriços), vegetais (algas) e plâncton foram maiores e organismos não marinhos (ex. girinos) foram menos citados. Nossa percepção geral é que a exposição MFA alcançou objetivos mais efetivos para os alunos de nono ano. Pautamos essa percepção em dados como o aumento de interesse após a exposição por parte dos alunos e do aumento da associação do ambiente marinho à beleza e diversão, além de curiosidade. Assim, o presente trabalho representou um esforço inicial para a melhor compreensão sobre as concepções de meio ambiente e, especialmente sobre o ambiente marinho. Esperamos que os dados obtidos possam ser subsídios para a avaliação à atividade MFA por parte de seus idealizadores em um processo continua de aprimoramento
The marine environment is often neglected in environmental discussions due to the apparent detachment between this and our daily lives, having undergone a marked transformation and degradation processes. Based on this, it is evident the need for environmental education activities about this environment. The interactive exhibition Out of Water Diving (OWD) is inserted in this context. The present work aims to contribute to the expansion of knowledge about the concepts of elementary school students about the marine environment, as well as for the evaluation and improvement of the interactive exhibition OWD. The specific objectives are to investigate the initial conceptions and check whether and how the OWD activity influence conceptions of students from a São Paulo school about: (1) the environment, (2) marine environment, its conservation and relation with the daily lives of students. We used structured questionnaires consisting of open and closed questions, before and after OWD exhibition. For data analysis, responses to open questions were subjected to a process of open categorization and categories were compared. Answers from closed questions were directly quantified and compared. Data were collected in classes of seventh, eighth and ninth year of elementary school in a public School of São Paulo city, located near at USP. A total of 476 students participated in the survey. Our results showed that students may have different environment conceptions, applying them depending on various situations which are exposed. For example, as initial conceptions about the environment, the students showed predominantly Naturalist concepts and excluded the man of environment. However, when they think about marine environment, they justify the need for its conservation also based on conceptions Naturalists, but establish relationship between such an environment and their daily based on an anthropocentric concepts, mainly explained by substance use and food derived from the sea. In addition, a small percentage of students (20 %) was able to establish a relation between marine environment and everyday life. The key word associated with this environment was “curiosity”, and when questioned about marine organisms, the chordates were the most frequent cited (whales , fishes and sharks ). Despite the persistence of many of these initial conceptions, we could detect some changes after the exposure OWD, as an increase on inclusion of man as an element of the environment. In addition, Anthropocentric and Problem concepts of environmental were reduced. Regarding conceptions of the marine environment, the absolute percentage of students who were able to establish the relationship of this environment with their everyday life slightly increasing (to 30 %). About the words associated with the marine environment, “ curiosity” increased for students of all years. However, for the youngest students, some negative aspects also increase (pollution, disease and fear). For the ninth year, the situation was different, occurring most citations of positive aspects, such as beauty and fun. For all school years, the citations of animals not chordates (eg. stars and sea urchins), vegetables (seaweed) and plankton were higher and non-marine organisms (eg, tadpoles) were lower cited. Our general perception is that OWD exposure achieved goals more effective for students of ninth year. We base this perception on data such as the increase after exposure of interest by students and increased of the association among marine environment and beauty and fun, as well as curiosity. Thus, this study represented an initial effort to better understanding of environment concepts as well as marine environment concepts. We hope that the data can be subsidy for the evaluation OWD exposition by its creators in a continuous improvement process

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Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a efetivação da Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande-PB, campi Campina Grande, visando promover o debate da Educação Ambiental nos processos do ensino formal como determina a Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental. A pesquisa pretendeu despertar na comunidade acadêmica a importância e a necessidade da institucionalização da Educação Ambiental na Universidade, cabendo à mesma, desenvolver ações, projetos, metodologias e práticas em todos seus setores e unidades acadêmicas. Neste contexto, e com base no tripé Ensino, Pesquisa e a Extensão, o estudo em um primeiro momento analisou os fluxogramas dos 105 cursos de graduação da instituição. Posteriormente, foram aplicados questionários com discentes, técnicos administrativos e docentes dos cursos de Graduação de Licenciaturas em História, Letras, Pedagogia, Ciências Sociais, Filosofia e Geografia, de Engenharia Agrícola e Enfermagem, que também subsidiaram a identificação do nível de percepção ambiental dos entrevistados. No tocante as atividades de Pesquisa e Extensão foram analisados os projetos desenvolvidos na instituição no período entre 2004 a 2015, bem como o quantitativo das dissertações e teses que abordaram a temática ambiental em seus estudos. Sabe-se que, deste ambiente educacional, sairão profissionais de diversas formações e competências, e, portanto, faz-se necessário a solidificação de conhecimentos e aplicabilidades dos princípios de Educação Ambiental em sua prática profissional cotidiana. Foi identificado que a Lei 9.795, que institui a Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental não está presente nas atividades voltadas para o Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão. Por fim, mesmo com o nível de percepção ambiental dos entrevistados atingindo um índice de 93,69%, sendo este considerado altíssimo, a Instituição carece de uma maior inserção da temática ambiental nas práticas de sua conjuntura. Importante enfatizar que, este estudo permitiu uma visualização panorâmica da realidade da Universidade e ao mesmo tempo, demonstrou a necessidade de um olhar institucional mais acentuado na temática ambiental, possibilitando também, o embasamento e direcionamento de estudos futuros que tenham como base o que é preconizado na PNEA.
This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the National Environmental Education Policy at the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande in Campina Grande campus, aiming to promote the debate of Environmental Education in the processes of formal education as determined by the National Environmental Education Policy. The research aimed to awaken in the academic community the importance and necessity of the institutionalization of Environmental Education in the University, being the same, to develop actions, projects, methodologies and practices in all its sectors and academic units. In this context, and based on the Tripod Teaching, Research and Extension, the study at first analyzed the flowcharts of the 105 undergraduate courses of the institution. Subsequently, questionnaires were applied with students, administrative technicians and teachers of undergraduate courses in History, Literature, Pedagogy, Social Sciences, Philosophy and Geography, Agricultural Engineering and Nursing, which also subsidized the identification of the level of environmental perception of the interviewees. Regarding the activities of Research and Extension, the projects developed in the institution between 2004 and 2015 were analyzed, as well as the quantitative of dissertations and theses that addressed the environmental theme in their studies. It is known that, from this educational environment, professionals from different backgrounds and skills will emerge, and therefore, it is necessary to solidify the knowledge and applicability of the principles of Environmental Education in their daily professional practice. It was identified that Law 9,795, which establishes the National Policy for Environmental Education, is not present in activities related to Teaching, Research and Extension. Finally, even with the level of environmental perception of the interviewees reaching an index of 93.69%, which is considered to be very high, the Institution needs a greater insertion of the environmental theme in the practices of its conjuncture. It is important to emphasize that this study allowed a panoramic view of the reality of the University and, at the same time, demonstrated the need for a more intense institutional look at the environmental theme, also allowing the foundation and direction of future studies based on what is advocated in the PNEA.

This thesis is about agricultural extension education. The context is agricultural extension in South Africa. It addresses the following questions: To what extent does current agricultural extension education in South Africa adequately reflect the current and changing educational and developmental imperatives? To what extent does it adequately equip extension officers and other agricultural development practitioners to deliver relevant support to farmers and farming communities? In short, how relevant is the training received by South African Agricultural Extension practitioners? The South African government has made significant changes in the policy environment governing agriculture. While the majority of the policy changes fall outside the scope of this research, it can be safely argued, as noted in the current Strategy for South African Agriculture, that the changes are fundamental. The changes redirect agriculture to the majority population which has hitherto been marginalised and generally denied meaningful access to the agricultural sector of the South African economy. To implement these changes, the agricultural sector will need appropriate skills – skills which, it is submitted – are largely lacking within the agricultural extension service and, more relevantly to this study, in Agricultural Extension curricula. In addition to the foregoing, assumptions about farmers and their roles in technology and information creation and consumption, assumptions about the roles of tertiary institutions in the triad of teaching, extension and research and indeed about the triad itself need to be challenged. A system of education which has its origins in the 1800s (before even the industrial revolution, much less the digital revolution) needs, per force, to be interrogated regularly to ensure that it delivers according to the demands of the exigencies of the time. Similarly, assumptions about the aim of development and in particular agricultural development have been questioned in many parts of the world. And yet it is submitted that in South Africa, the basic extension methodologies have not changed in any fundamental way; rather they have adopted some of the outer trappings of new approaches, without assessing the fundamentals of the core extension approach. It is believed that extension is in need of a serious review and that it is timely to do so. Recent research in Africa and elsewhere in the world indicates that extension needs be reconstructed on a different set of operational objectives led by a different vision. The extension strategy herein presented is built around a vision which places the focus on the farmer (and other land users) in the context not of technology, but of creating prosperity. The vision implies that the purpose of agricultural extension is to facilitate the establishment of self-reliant farmers who are contributing to widespread prosperity. The dual outcomes of self-reliant farmers and widespread prosperity are meant to be realised through a new set of =rules of engagement‘. Prosperity is derived out of farmers working together, sharing information, and learning together. Self-reliant farmers are an outcome of a learning partnership between farmers and extension practitioners. This study was conducted in a series of stages. The first thrust examined the nature of Agricultural Extension and the assumptions on which it is predicated. The result of this interrogation was to propose a new concept for Agricultural Extension – Agriflection – which is a learning-based concept aimed at improving the sustainability of the livelihoods of farmers through iterative development processes fostered through a learning agenda that is facilitated by an appropriately trained Agricultural Extension practitioner. To realise such a vision, it is essential that the mission of the extension service be recast to reflect the dynamics of the implications of the vision. The key elements of the mission are, therefore, client-responsiveness and partnerships. The power to realise the vision rests in three critical aspects. First is the capacity of the extension service to engage with its clients as genuine partners in a shared learning agenda. The second is the capacity of the extension service to engage with the many other agencies and organisations which supply goods and services to farmers and land users. The third is ensuring that engagements with farmers support sustainable development, that is, that production of food, fibre and fuel is socially just, economically sustainable and environmentally sustainable. This new vision and mission lay the foundation for a fundamental shift in the way agricultural extension is positioned, resourced, implemented and evaluated. The strategic goals, principles and values presented in this strategy are built on this foundation, and they, in turn, create the framework for constructing the operational plans of the extension service as well as for management and measurement of the service. The second thrust of the study was to filter the Agriflection concept through South African educational and agricultural policy. Given that the agricultural frontier is subject to change in focus and priorities, it was reasoned that the training and education of would-be extension practitioners needs to be able to respond to changes in methods and in the field. The National Government has adopted the outcomes-based model as the general structure for curriculum development. Further sustainable development/livelihoods has been adopted as the general framework for development. Outcomes-based education and sustainable development/livelihoods provide a framework for studying and developing curricula. A tool that enables curriculum analysis and development which allows for adjustment to changing imperatives while maintaining integrity in terms of education and development, would be valuable for tertiary institutions training extension officers. The result of this second thrust was the development of curriculum markers that encapsulated what non-technical knowledge and skills (i.e. Agricultural Extension knowledge and skills) were needed to be able to deliver on the imperatives of the transformation agenda of current agricultural policy. Thirty-four markers were identified. The third thrust of the study was to create a credible method to evaluate Agricultural Extension curricula and to capture and analyse data. A detailed review of methods and approaches was made resulting in fashioning the Theory-led Instructional-Design Curriculum Evaluation (TICE) method. One of the primary facets of this six-process method is questioning of the assumptions on which the discipline of Agricultural Extension is based. Such a questioning would lead to a new theory to govern the evaluation of curriculum. Ancillary to the TICE method were the methods of data collection and analysis. The study consolidated these in presence and efficacy factors. These factors measured the presence of the 34 markers in Agricultural Extension curricula and the extent to which they were addressed, if present. The fourth thrust of the study was the detailed evaluation of curricula of qualifications most commonly held by public sector Agricultural Extension practitioners. The study examined the curricula of agricultural diplomas, of three- and four-year agricultural degrees and of one-year postgraduate qualifications offered by Colleges of Agriculture and selected Universities and Universities of Technology. The fifth thrust was to conduct corroborative investigations in the public sector. This was done by surveying Agricultural Extension practitioners asking them to evaluate the extent to which they believed they have knowledge and/or skill represented by the 34 curricula markers. In addition, a brief analysis was made of Agricultural Extension practitioner job descriptions used in the public sector. This was done to determine what knowledge and skills were expected of Agricultural Extension practitioners and comparing this to the 34 markers. The study revealed that there is very limited Agricultural Extension training offered in the curricula of qualifications held by the majority of public sector Agricultural Extension practitioners. Further, using the 34 markers as the touchstone, it was determined that the current curricula do not adequately equip public sector Agricultural Extension practitioners to deliver on the agenda of current South African agricultural policy. Without extensive revision of curricula in terms of both the quantity and content of extension training, the South African public sector Agricultural Extension service will not be able to realise the intended transformation of agriculture. Its key operatives will not have the knowledge and skills needed to do so. This is a unique study. No study of its kind has ever been conducted in South Africa. Numerous studies have been conducted into the training needs of Agricultural Extension practitioners. None have gone to the extent of questioning the assumptions on which Agricultural Extension is based. None have made a critical examination of curricula in the light of current educational and agricultural policy. This study found that there is an urgent need for serious attention to be given the purpose, scope, outcomes of Agricultural Extension higher education in South Africa to ensure that it can contribute to the positive and sustainable transformation of agriculture.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

This dissertation extends our knowledge of digital affordances in communicating complex scientific information by building and testing a climate change adaptation website for the Colombian coffee sector, www.climaycafe.com. This project offers both a practical component (scholarship of engagement) and theoretical component (extension of our understanding of the objective/subjective nature of affordances). Practically, it seeks to create a collaborative and tailored science communication solution for improved information access to support climate change adaptation. Theoretically, it extends our understanding of affordances in a digital environment through a qualitative assessment, specifically how occupational identity influences the subjective nature of affordances. Data is gathered through an iterative qualitative assessment of users’ interpretation of the perceived affordances on the website. The results demonstrate that occupational identity has an influence on perceived digital affordances, particularly influenced by (1) Perceived Social Status of Occupation, (2) Perception of Value Based on Occupational Demands, (3) Occupational Influence on Perceived Reliability and (4) Usability Preferences Based on Occupation. We additionally found that as creators we can set general goals for digital tools and achieve general success in obtaining them, but ultimately the users will dictate their needs within this broader framework. Lastly, there is a self-identified need for more practical knowledge and information access for coffee farmers in these regions of Colombia around climate change adaptation.

Small-scale goat farmers from south-western KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, identified gastrointestinal helminths, dry-season feed scarcity and poor reproductive performance as major production constraints and highlighted the paucity of information on goat health and management. The research and extension processes adopted to address these problems comprised on-station experimentation, followed by on-farm validation combined with the participatory dissemination of both study findings and relevant information on goat health care. The approach included the use of the FAMACHA© system to assess anaemia, a characteristic symptom of infection with the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803). On-station experimentation indicated that urea-molasses block supplementation during the dry, winter season was a cost-effective option. Unfortunately, when tested on-farm, the value of such supplementation proved inconclusive, possibly due to low block consumption and further research into alternative and palatable protein supplements for goats is suggested. However, tactical anthelmintic treatment with ivermectin effectively reduced faecal egg counts and is recommended, as is concurrent symptomatic anthelmintic treatment, as determined by the FAMACHA© system, since this practice appeared to improve reproductive capacity. Investigations to better adapt the FAMACHA© system to goats is, however, recommended. A flexible training framework was developed with the collaboration of the farmers, providing them with advice on goat health and management. This ‘hands-on’ approach encompassed regular meetings geared to the farmers’ current expertise and exploited the on-farm experimentation as a training vehicle. The process nurtured local farmer ‘champions’, strengthened the extension skills of researchers and technicians and incorporated the development of a Goatkeepers’ animal health care manual. Indications are that the use of such an approach has considerable potential for the development of goat farming. Moreover this process, which is relatively novel for South Africa, is equally applicable to other similar agro-ecological zones. Access to veterinary and agricultural inputs in areas where communal grazing is practised could be vastly improved and a case is made for universities, researchers, extensionists and farmers to collaborate to encourage the long-term sustainable development of these communities.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Human society is presently beset by an array of anthropogenic social-ecological crises that threaten the sustainability of the social-ecological systems that sustain our livelihoods. While research alone will not rectify these issues, it can help to answer key questions that must be addressed to develop effective solutions. To address such questions in a cohesive, compelling manner, social-ecological research can be bounded, structured, and distilled through innumerable organizing principles or theoretical frameworks. For this dissertation, I focused on the geographic region of Tierra del Fuego and sought to draw from the array of disciplines and methods that use sound as a lens for biological, ecological, and/or social inquiry. I also endeavored to consider various temporal, spatial, and organizational scales while investigating a selection of topics with a) specific importance in the social-ecological systems of Tierra del Fuego and b) general relevance to global social-ecological challenges. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the dissertation, and Chapter 6 serves as a conclusion.

The objective of Chapter 2, “Biogeographical and analytical implications of temporal variability in geographically diverse soundscapes”, was to provide some guidance to passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) practitioners on how to design appropriate temporal sampling schemes based on the temporal variability of the sounds one wishes to measure and the power and storage limitations of acoustic recorders. We first quantified the temporal variability of several soundscape measurements and compared that variability across sites and times of day. We also simulated a wide range of temporal sampling schemes in order to model their representativeness relative to continuous sampling.

For Chapter 3, “Sentinels for sentinels: passive acoustic and camera trap monitoring of sensitive penguin populations”, we tested the utility of PAM to monitor behavior and abundance of Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus) and southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) at different spatial and temporal scales. We conducted in situ observations of the acoustic behavior of each species, and we compared acoustic metrics with penguin counts from narrowly focused camera traps and larger-extent observations of colony density.

Chapter 4, “Acoustic monitoring shows invasive beavers (Castor canadensis) increase avian diversity in Tierra del Fuego”, is focused on impacts of the invasive North American beaver (Castor canadensis) on Fuegian bird communities. We sought to determine how bird communities might differ between intact riparian forests, beaver ponds, and beaver meadows created by pond drainage. We conducted PAM and classic avian point counts under each of these conditions across seasons to test for differences between impact conditions and to compare the two methodologies.

For Chapter 5, “Human-nature connection and soundscape perception: insights from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina”, we evaluated the relationship between soundscape perception and nature relatedness by conducting surveys and soliciting responses to soundscape audio prompts. We also examined the potential for any demographic influences on nature relatedness or soundscape perception in the context of local social tensions.

The land-grant university system was founded in the 19th century as a public means to help improve people’s everyday lives. A century and a half later, the challenges that the public faces to live a quality life are constantly changing, creating a need for the land-grant system to respond and adapt to continue to fulfill its mission. While the literature contains a wealth of conceptual papers addressing the role and mission of land-grant universities, relatively few papers could be found that reported empirical data or proposed and tested metrics for public engagement constructs. The current study sought to address this void in the literature through the investigation of factors influencing Indiana residents’ level of interest in engaging with Purdue University. Mail survey methods were used in which up to three contacts were made with adult members of 4,500 Indiana households identified through address-based sampling. Stratified random sampling was employed to ensure adequate rural household participation for other project purposes. Usable responses were received from 1,003 households representing 87 Indiana counties for a total response rate of 26%.