Innovation Change & Knowledge Transfer

This subject is not offered in 2013.

100 hours

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison Unit (8344 7068 or DLU-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au).

Students will use case studies in agricultural systems to access, organize and present data for knowledge creation and management in natural and agrifood systems. The subject will provide students with an understanding of how and why people take up knowledge and information and as well as the impediments to adoption. Students will develop the skills to enable them to generate, acquire, apply and make accessible the knowledge needed to enhance material, human, social and environmental wellbeing.

On completion of this subject students will have developed:

• An understanding of the different ways people learn
• An understanding of the barriers to adoption
• The ability to facilitate groups to assist in developing knowledge and skills
• Techniques in the use of case studies to facilitate learning and practice change

Exam (90 minutes) - 30%, Essay (3,000 words) - 30%, Group assignment - 30%, Class participation - 10%

Jennings, J., Packham, R. And Woodside, D. (ed.) 2011. Shaping Change: Natural Resource Management, Agriculture and the Role of Extension. Australia: Australiasia-Pacific Extension Network.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

This subject encompasses particular generic skills. On completion of the subject, students should have the:

• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• Awareness of, and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a broad range of disciplines to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to use case study analysis as a basis for learning and initiating practice change
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects