Browsing by Author "Bostock, John"
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- Digital tools in aquatic sciences educationPublication . Ueberschär, Bernd; Bostock, John; Moulton, Mike; Lekang, O.; Messina, Maria; Seixas, Sónia; Pirhonen, J; Dove, Clive
- Investing in the human capital of the aquatic food sector : AQUA-TNET and the road aheadPublication . Bostock, John; Seixas, SóniaThe study aimed to capture a snapshot of the status of educational means used in teaching and learning in the area of aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic resources management at European level, with specific consideration on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and e-learning tools. To achieve this goal, an online survey was compiled and made available to teachers and students across Europe. In total, teachers from 31 institutions and students from 40 institutions participated in this survey. This paper presents the findings, considers trends and poses further questions for sector stakeholders to help in the development of future programmes and support. In summary, it can be concluded that few teachers have a comprehensive knowledge of the wide range of ICT tools available and can make use of e-learning tools with complete confidence. There is therefore a real and urgent need to “train the trainers” to use ICT in their teaching environments. From the students’ end, there is a strong desire to learn more about the application of e-learning tools and to use them in their learning process.
- Promoting sustainable aquaculture: building the capacity of local institutions and online teaching (elearning)Publication . Seixas, Sónia; Bostock, John; Eleftheriou, MargaretPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to review a number of recent initiatives to promote sustainable aquaculture development through improvements to education and training capacity, and innovations in the use of eLearning. Design/methodology/approach – The authors share their experience in these initiatives and demonstrate how e-learning has been developed in specific cases to better serve the needs of the aquaculture sector, while addressing the pedagogical issues of distance learning and finding the best use of new internet-based technologies. Findings – These examples show how to respond to the needs of adult learners who may have a substantially different learner profile to typical campus students and have a more diverse range of needs and background knowledge. Greater focus is needed on defining, enhancing and accrediting knowledge and skills acquired informally and “on the job”, so as to develop more effective formal education interventions. Practical implications – Adults engaging with job-related education are not empty vessels requiring to be filled with the correct mix of knowledge and skills by teachers who know all the answers. They are active learners seeking a supportive and enabling structure involving access to appropriate resources, engagement with fellow learners and more expert practitioners, and appropriate challenges and rewards to maximise effort and achievement. Originality/value – The paper shows that there is substantial social benefit in promoting an innovative and sustainable aquaculture industry that contributes positively to food security and human health. Continued Professional Development involving eLearning and other innovative approaches can make an important contribution throughout the sector.
- Proposal for the establishment of an EAS thematic group for aquaculture education, training and knowledge exchange (AQUA-TNET)Publication . Bostock, John; Ueberschär, Bernd; Seixas, Sónia
- Some experiences of using videos to promote learning in the context of university level coursesPublication . Seixas, Sónia; Bostock, John; Ueberschaer, Bernd
- The Aquaculture knowledge economy: boom or bust?Publication . Bostock, John; Moulton, Michael; Uebersch, Bernd; Seixas, Sónia; Burnell, Gavin; Eleftheriou, MargaretWe live in an age of unprecedented growth in knowledge generation and exchange. The links between knowledge, innovation and economic development are frequently promoted. Government policies for enhancing education and training opportunities in a widening framework of Lifelong Learning are becoming increasingly central themes in strategies for economic recovery and growth. However, there is little evidence that more of the same i.e. traditionally structured education and training, is leading to the innovation and growth that policymakers desire. Graduate unemployment rates in Europe are reaching new highs and when new graduates are employed, it is often in lower skilled jobs than would have been the case in the past. In many ways it looks to be an economy of abundance; a massive increase in the availability of explicit knowledge gradually devaluing the people seeking employment on the basis of their accredited knowledge and skills. However, other interpretations are possible, not least that society generally, and large organisations and institutions in particular, are failing to grasp the opportunities that knowledge generation and exploitation can bring. The aquaculture sector is truly global and highly diverse; in parts relying on traditional tacit knowledge and elsewhere on the most recently generated explicit knowledge. A broader understanding of the role of different types of knowledge for aquaculture enterprise, and a deeper understanding of how that knowledge is generated, shared and communicated can provide a platform for dialogue and potentially new initiatives. Pointers for the future can also be found in new knowledge generating and sharing activities that are emerging on the Internet, and in different models of enterprise organisation found in innovative start-up companies. One interpretation is that lifelong and lifewide learning are the norm and that the tendency for compartmentalisation and institutionalisation of knowledge and learning may be constraining the benefits that individual, group and social learning can bring. The evidence for this is explored, and consideration given to how the aquaculture sector can unlock greater potential from its human capital. Reference is made to case studies, current initiatives and new collaborative platforms within the sector.