Perspectives on Agricultural Biodiversity in the Old and
New Worlds
Perspectives on Agricultural Biodiversity in the Old and
New Worlds| WEEK | DATE | UNIT TOPIC | ACTIVITY ASSIGNMENT |
| 1 | prior to February 27 | Introductions & Workshop Entry | 1. Enroll in Moodle.
See your leader (J. Dekker, P. Bárberi) for enrollment key word. 2. Introduce yourself in Moodle to the other participants. |
| 2 | February 27-March 5 | Unit 1: Biodiversity
Defined Week 1 |
1. Unit 1 introduction
by each leader on Moodle. 2. Student essays posted for Unit 1 on Moodle |
| 3 | March 6-12 | Unit 1: Biodiversity
Defined Week 2 |
Student comments on Unit 1 essays posted on Moodle, 2 per student. |
| 4 | March 13-19 | Unit 2: Biodiversity in
Farming Systems Week 1 |
1. Unit 2 introduction
by each leader on Moodle. 2. Student essays posted for Unit 2 on Moodle 3. Moderators synopsis posted for Unit 1 on Moodle and web site. |
| 5 | March 20-26 | Unit 2: Biodiversity in
Farming Systems Week 2 |
Student comments on Unit 2 essays posted on Moodle, 2 per student. |
| 6 | March 27-April 2 | Unit 3: Biodiversity and
Farm Policy Week 1 |
1. Unit 3 introduction
by each leader on Moodle. 2. Student essays posted for Unit 3 on Moodle. 3. Moderators synopsis posted for Unit 2 on Moodle and web site. |
| 7 | April 3-9 | Unit 3: Biodiversity and
Farm Policy Week 2 |
Student comments on Unit 3 essays posted on Moodle, 2 per student. |
| 8 | after April 10 | Workshop Summary | 1. Moderators synopsis
posted for Unit 3 on Moodle and web site. 2. Moderators synopsis for entire workshop posted |
Student Essays (week 1)
In the first week of each unit, students will post a well-considered essay or
opinion document on Moodle in the appropriate week and location on Moodle for
others in the workshop to read and comment on. This 2 page essay will
reflect the students personal viewpoint and perspectiveTake your time, organize
your ideas, and edit for clarity and expression.
Student Comments (week 2)
In the second week of each unit, students will post a well-considered comment or
reply to two (2) of the previous weeks essays. Pick any essays you want
for this, it is your choice of to whom you respond. Consider in reply
agreement, disagreement, amplification, additional facts and opinions, anything
you feel is relevant and constructive. Take your time, organize your
ideas, and edit for clarity and expression.
Moderator Synopses (week 3 & at workshop conclusion)
In the third week of each unit, and at the end of the entire workshop,
instructors on each continent will summarize and comment on the written essays
and comments of the students in an organized synopsis. This
well-considered summary will attempt to bring together common themes and
differences of viewpoint expressed in the student products. They will be
clearly the opinion of each moderator though.
Dedicated Workshop Moodle Discussion Site.
Workshop Topics
February 27-March 12, 2006
Unit 1: Biodiversity defined
What is agricultural biodiversity? Its meaning? Its definition? Its
significance?
March 13-26, 2006
Unit 2: Biodiversity in farming systems
Is agricultural biodiversity good or bad for farming system management?
Why?
What are the economic and risk costs of biodiversity to farmers? What
costs are acceptable or unacceptable?
March 27-April 9, 2006
Unit 3: Biodiversity and farm policy
Does European, US or farm policy from your own country help or hinder agricultural biodiversity?
How? What are the differences on the two continents? Should taxpayers/consumers pay for the costs of agricultural
biodiversity? If not, who should pay? What are they paying for?
Each unit will be 2 weeks in duration. At the beginning of the forum each student will briefly introduce themselves. At the beginning of each unit the workshop leaders will introduce the unit topic under consideration. In the first week of each unit each student will write and then post a 2 page, well-considered, essay in response to the unit question on the discussion forum web site (Moodle). During the second week of each unit, all students will comment on specific essays of other students. The workshop leaders will each, independently, provide a synopsis of the units discussion and post their comments on this web site at the completion of each unit, and at the end of the workshop.