Exploring Agricultural Education as a Vehicle for Effective Instruction in Low-Resource Environments: A Photovoice Study of Nepalese Science Educators
Open Access
- Author:
- Bixler, Brandon
- Area of Honors:
- Agricultural and Extension Education
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Daniel Foster, Thesis Supervisor
Kevin Wylie Curry, Jr., Thesis Honors Advisor
John Ewing, Faculty Reader
Melanie Joy Miller Foster, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Asset Based Community Development
Photovoice
STEM Education
Nepal
Low Resource Environments
Agricultural Education
Technical and Vocational Education and Training - Abstract:
- This descriptive qualitative research study sought to describe Nepalese science learning environments and the educational resources perceived by educators with a specific focus on the potential of agriculture to be used as a context for teaching science content. In the country of Nepal, education is frequently characterized by numerous challenges and a lack of resources, as is the agricultural sector. The research study used the photovoice method, which empowered the Nepalese science educators who participated in the study to identify educational resources within their context through the collection of photographs and accompanying descriptive interviews. The resources were analyzed in accordance with the five primary categories of assets identified in the Theory of Asset-Based Community Development: individuals, institutions, associations, connections, and place-based assets. The research team visited ten different schools and conducted interviews with thirteen educators from government, private, and public trust schools in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The photographs and respective descriptions highlight assets that can be used to solve challenges within Nepalese science education. This study identifies individuals and institutions as the primary assets present in the Nepalese science education system and describes the diverse educational resources shaping Nepalese science education learning environments. The findings of this study highlight the potential of agriculturally related assets for increased utilization while underscoring the need for increased educator professional development opportunities to support the delivery of applied learning experiences. In sharing the photos and stories of the educators interviewed, this study aims to communicate the power of assets to solve community challenges while also showcasing the potential of photovoice as a research method with the capacity to empower and uplift the voices of the global agricultural education community.