Padraig Wims Articles List

List of Articles Padraig Wims

Open Access Article
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1 - The Potential of Blended Learning in Agricultural Education of Ireland
Donna Deegan Padraig Wims Tony Pettit

The management of agricultural education faces on-going challenges to deliver current and effective materials in an approach that takes advantage of developments in education technology. In this article the use of blended learning was compared with the traditional appro More

The management of agricultural education faces on-going challenges to deliver current and effective materials in an approach that takes advantage of developments in education technology. In this article the use of blended learning was compared with the traditional approach for the instruction of theoretical materials in agricultural education. This study used a pre-test, post-test experimental design with agricultural college students. All students were taught using either a traditional or blended methodology. They were subsequently assessed to determine their level of knowledge. Two key findings from this study were highlighted: Firstly, regardless of their age profile all learners achieved significantly better exam results following blended teaching for theoretical material. Secondly, academically weaker students performed significantly better following the blended method of delivery. Key implications arising from this research indicate that the use of the blended method of delivery can increase students acquisition of knowledge for learners of all ages; blended learning can bring text heavy materials to life and makes them more interactive and less mundane; the learning experience and learning outcomes for academically weaker students are improved through the blended learning environment. Manuscript profile
Open Access Article
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2 - Opportunities for Facebook to Improve Knowledge Transfer to Farmers and Enhance Agricultural Extension
Padraig Wims Aine Galvin

The aim of this paper was to report an action research that examined the potential of social media as a tool for knowledge transfer in agricultural extension. The research focused on developing group Facebook pages that were designed for adult farmers. A total of 49 par More

The aim of this paper was to report an action research that examined the potential of social media as a tool for knowledge transfer in agricultural extension. The research focused on developing group Facebook pages that were designed for adult farmers. A total of 49 participants who were already members of four separate discussion groups were instructed on the practical aspects of using Facebook. Their participation in the Facebook pages was monitored for the duration of the experiment (from February 2013 to January 2014) by examining the frequency with which they logged into their accounts and the nature of their contributions. The participants’ level of uptake of social media was measured and their experience with using social media was evaluated by administering a questionnaire to all 49 participants. The majority of the participants had a positive experience when using social media for knowledge transfer purposes. The research found no association between age and social media usage; however, computer skills were significantly and positively associated with social media usage. Internet access was also associated with usage – those with wireless broadband internet connections in their family homes had the highest usage levels. The research presented in this paper illustrates that social media can be an effective tool for knowledge transfer in agricultural extension. Manuscript profile
Open Access Article
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3 - Farmers’ Access to and Utilization of Mass Media Channels for Communicating Agricultural Information in Southern Ethiopia
Teshale Tegene Padraig Wims Dinku Gebeyehu Gebeyehu Tagesse Melkato
20.1001.1.22517588.2022.12.4.2.7

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to identify mass media channels accessed by farmers and analyse how they are used to communicate agricultural information in the Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. This study involved a proportionate sample of 364 farm households that More

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to identify mass media channels accessed by farmers and analyse how they are used to communicate agricultural information in the Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. This study involved a proportionate sample of 364 farm households that were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule was administered to collect primary data during June and July of 2020. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were employed for the analysis. Three focus group discussions with progressive farmers were held, and the data obtained was thematically analysed. The results indicated that mobile phones, radio, television, and print media were accessed by farmers to receive agricultural information. However, mass media methods have not been extensively used by farmers for agricultural knowledge and information sharing. The study found low ownership of media devices, lack of communication infrastructure, low coverage of agricultural programmes, and high levels of illiteracy were attributed to low access and usage of mass media. To improve this, the study issued recommendations for the government and development organizations to improve rural communication. Mass media should be encouraged to increase the number of agricultural programmes they broadcast and make them more suitable for local contexts. Manuscript profile

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List of Articles Padraig Wims