Integrated agricultural communication at the University of Guelph, an innovative approach to skill development

by Roberts, Owen

INTEGMTED AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SEL DEVELOPMENT Owen Arthur Roberts University of Guelph, 2001 Advisor: Prof. Mark W-Waldron This study focusses on skiii development by students engaged in agricultural communication activity at the University of Guelph- The University of Guelph has put more emphasis on agricultural communication education than any other Canadian postsecondary institution; namely, in an agricultural communication initiative involving two acadernic courses and one non-academic research-writing program. However, no collective assessrnent of student participants' expenences had ever been attempted. In July, 2000, alumni and former participants were surveyed. The results showed 100 per cent of the respondents acquired specific communication skills, and 85 per cent said they were applying their skills on the job. More than 96 per cent said they would recommend agricultural communication courses to others.