Learning Experiences in IPM Through Concise Instructional Videos
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
The Author(s) 2018. Agricultural extension services have long held the role of educating farmers and pest managers. Adult learning is dynamic, and extension educational efforts can benefit from changing media to remain an effective resource for pest management information. The use of instructional videos was considered as an outreach educational platform to augment adult learning experiences using the current issue of sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari [Zehntner]) on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as a case study. Educational materials were developed on the identification of the pest and estimation of its population densities. Educational formats included a 6-min instructional video and a 22-min pre-recorded slideshow which were shown to south Texas pest managers. Survey comparisons showed similar understanding of subject materials among the participants viewing instructional videos and those viewing a prerecorded slideshow presentation. Those viewing the instructional video significantly improved their accuracy at aphid density estimation following training. Other ability differences following training were not detected. We conclude that a concise instructional video was at least as effective as a slideshow presentation for adult learning in our case study. Concise instructional videos are a viable outreach educational tool for pest management, especially when presentation duration is an important factor.
