Scaling-up Sustainable Land Management Practices through the Concept of the Rural Resource Centre: Reconciling Farmers' Interests with Research Agendas

Abstract

Purpose: Formal agricultural research has generated vast amount of knowledge and fundamental insights on land management, but their low adoption has been attributed to the use of public extension approach. This research aims to address whether and how full participation of farmers through the concept of Rural Resource Centre (RRC) provides new insights for the development of alternative and farmers-based extension methods.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the Concept of RRC, this research assesses the role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up of land management practices, and investigates effective ways to enhance beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers in view of improving adoption.

Findings: The findings suggest that farmers can effectively participate in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. This participation is enhanced by judicious incentives such as higher crop yields that motivate farmers and influence adoption. The current success of the approach stems from the fact that farmers, extension workers and researchers jointly implement the activities and their different aims were achieved simultaneously: scientific results for researchers, better agricultural practices for extension workers, and economic success and free choice for farmers.

Practical implications: This research concludes that farmers have the capacities to play an innermost role in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. However, there is a need to build and strengthen their capacities to facilitate their participation and contribution.

Originality/Value: The article demonstrates the value of the preponderant role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up practices by exhibiting the beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers.     

A Test of the Infusion Method

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the infusion method of teaching social work students about populations at risk is an effective educational strategy.

Method: Participant MSW students were given pretests and posttests of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gays Scale at the beginning and end of the semester in which the infusion method of teaching about vulnerable populations including gay men was used in a required course on psychodynamic developmental theories.

Results: Students' homophobic and antigay attitudes were lowered to a statistically significant degree.

Discussion: All of the significant change occurred in the section with students whose mean pretest scores were in the mid range of the total group. Neither the sections with the highest or lowest mean score were affected. This illustrates the challenges of influencing firmly held values yet suggests that the values of those less decided can be influenced by this teaching method.     

The effect of the Horsham Greenpower Goblin Challenge on children's attitudes towards science,engineering and technology

This research examines the effects of the Horsham Greenpower Goblin Challenge (HGGC), a hands-on science, engineering and technology (SET) project, on the attitudes of Year 5, primary-school children towards SET. The data collection centred on pre- and post-HGGC questionnaires using Likert scales and picture/word images of scientists and engineers. It was found that the HGGC did not significantly alter children's attitudes to SET and did not dispel previous negative images and attitudes. It was concluded that a greater understanding and acknowledgement of children's existing attitudes was required when designing initiatives aimed at dispelling negative and promoting positive images of SET.     

基于教育信息化的高等职业院校教师信息素养养成分析

教育信息化不仅改变了传统的教育教学模式,对高等职业院校教师的信息素养也提出了新的要求。本文阐述了教师信息素养构成,提出提高教师的信息素养的若干培养途径。     

我国教师专业发展学校:推广的必要性及对策

教师专业发展学校是融职前教师教育、在职教师培训、大学教师发展为一体的教师教育模式,推行广泛并取得了巨大成效。我国教师教育发展模式相对滞后的现状迫切需要我们认真学习国外先进经验,加快发展我国的教师专业发展学校建设。     

大连大学在全国高校的实然位置及转型发展的 SWOT 策略研究

知己知彼,百战不殆,在激烈的高等教育竞争中,只有准确地定位自己的应然位置和发展目标,才能制定正确的发展战略和策略,使高校立于不败之地。根据近年来在国内比较有影响的四大高校排行榜（武苏连榜、中国校友榜、网大榜、中评榜）历年的统计数据,对大连大学在全国高校中的实然位置和转型发展中的竞争能力进行了SWOT综合分析,提出了通过转型发展和跨越式发展达到学校目标位置——全国一流教学研究型地方大学的若干策略。     

人民公社时期乡村治理模式透析

研究了人民公社时期的乡村治理模式,认为人民公社模式的产生具有内在根据,适应了把农民组织起来、巩固人民政权的需要,也有中国革命经验的惯性作用.人民公社模式在乡村治理方面实行“三级管理制度”的组织结构,基层生产大队也形成了党高度一体化领导的权力系统,采取计划取代市场的生产生活活动,导致公社社员全面依附公社.从整体上看,人民公社模式下的乡村治理,扭曲了农民的政治参与,激化了乡村社会矛盾,阻碍了乡村社会的正常分化,破坏了农业生产,影响了乡村文明的发展.     

《资治通鉴》胡三省注称引史事年份、卷次辨误

本文通过对《资治通鉴》胡三省注称引历史事件的年份、卷次等与《通鉴》上下文、《史记》、《汉书》作比对研究,指出《通鉴》胡注注释史事年份、卷次的若干讹误,并对胡注的相关文献学价值稍加探讨.     

论浩然《金光大道》的“积极分子”写作

浩然是“文革”时期独步文坛的作家。他之所以能够成为这一特殊时期的佼佼者,与他的积极分子创作动机、他对真实的特殊理解有密切关系。在“文革”中,浩然在“三突出”创作原则的严格限制下,在《金光大道》等作品中建立了一套准确、精致的政治修辞。现在,浩然早已淡出了文学舞台,但他所塑造的积极分子及其思想方式、修辞方式依然存在于现实生活和我们的潜意识中。     

大学生宿舍文化建设探析

围绕大学生宿舍文化建设,阐述大学生宿舍文化的内涵,分析当前大学生宿舍文化建设中存在的问题。从营造精神文化氛围、加强宿舍网络文化建设、完善管理运行机制、发挥学生骨干作用等途径,提出加强大学生宿舍文化建设的途径。