Experiential learning and skills training of agricultural students: a case of Bukalasa agricultural college
Abstract
The study was carried out to investigate the potential of experiential learning approaches in the
training of agricultural students at Bukalasa Agricultural College (BAC). It was guided by four
objectives: to investigate the skills required by employers of agricultural graduates, to
characterize the modes of delivery used in the training of students at BAC in relation to
experiential learning, to examine the perceptions of the current and past students towards the
training approaches at BAC in relation to experiential learning and to determine the best options
in training approaches at BAC in relation to experiential learning. The study used a descriptive
study design taking both qualitative and quantitative approaches based on a sample of 50
respondents which comprised of the employers, teaching staff, the graduates and continuing
students. These were selected using purposeful sampling and stratified random sampling
techniques. Data was collected using interviews, observation and questionnaire. The qualitative
data was analysed using coding while the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive
statistics after data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS
verson.17.0). Results indicated the following are the skills required by the employers; technical
skills, communication skills, leadership skills, information technology skills, interpersonal
skills, team building skills and time management skills. Responses from the employers show
that the newly recruited agricultural graduates lack the following skills; leadership skills,
critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills and financial management skills. The commonly
used mode of delivery teaching staff during the training was lecture. Other modes of delivery
used include demonstration, experiments and students projects. The findings revealed that the
instructional materials used were inadequate. The respondents ranked internships as being the
most useful experiential learning approach. The study concluded that that experiential learning
has potential to improve the skill acquisition of the students if it is well plam1ed and monitored
by both the lecturers in the tertiary institutions. The study recommends that BAC should
continue and reinforce the experiential learning approaches to training based on the positive
impact expressed by respondents of this study hence the college should try to implement more
experiential learning activities into their daily training activities to increase students ability to
learn hands-on skills so that they may be able to use the skills in their future careers and
academic advancements.