Description and evaluation of methods for the learning of interpersonal, transferable and management skills by students of animal science

• Published in: European journal of agricultural education and extension Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 197 - 216
• Main Authors: Whittemore, C.T, Hinks, C.E, West, S.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.1997
• Subjects: agricultural education; Animal Husbandry; career development; educational courses; educational methods; evaluation; Higher Education; Interpersonal Competence; interpersonal relationships; management skills; Outcomes of Education; science education; Self Management; Teamwork; Transfer of Training; zoology; Scotland
• ISSN: 1381-2335
• DOI: 10.1080/13892249785300031

An Interpersonal, Transferable and Management Skills course, scheduled for one morning per week over a period of 9 weeks, and offered to final year students of animal science, is described. Nine team exercises with the objective of allowing skills development are detailed. A further eight sessions were devoted to meetings between students and visitors of substance and importance with distant but tendentious links to the students. Learning outcomes were examined by questionnaires addressing twenty-three IT skills. The course appeared to have been successful in achieving substantial positive change in the skills of reviewing and measuring one's own performance, problem-solving, decision-making, team work, sensitivity to others, assertiveness, presenting spoken information, understanding and reviewing the work of others, self-confidence, and initiative. Positive change was also identified for the skills of target setting, prioritisation, negotiation, and self-knowledge. But the course achieved little or no effective change in the skills of working to schedule, listening, or absorbing spoken information. These latter elements are presently receiving attention, as are gender issues and the needs of postgraduate research students.