"Development and adoption of the GrassGro decision support program to facilitate integrative teaching across years in applied science and management degrees"

 

Rural Science, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics and Natural Resource Graduates require an understanding of complex Decision Support Systems and of interactions within natural managed ecosystems. Complex interactions among climate, soils, plants, livestock, markets and risk in managed and natural ecosystems can be difficult concepts to learn, understand and appreciate.

The GrassGro Teaching Project (commenced at the University of New England in 1999) aims to provide an integrated approach to teaching and learning about Decision Support Systems.

GrassGro is a commercial computer software package, developed by the CSIRO, which provides predictive outcomes (both biological and economic) for agricultural systems in a wide diversity of environments. GrassGro is being used currently as a learning tool in a wide range of topics from 1st to 4th year subjects at UNE to explore interactions within grazed ecosystems over time.

This project (1999-2001) was carried out by a consortium made up of UNE, CSIRO and Horizon Agriculture and was funded as a National Teaching Grant - Organisational. It commenced in 1999 and was completed at the end of July, 2001.

If your organisation would like to explore the possibility of obtaining access to GrassGro for teaching through the University of New England, please contact the Project Leader, Assoc. Prof. Jim Scott.

GrassGro Partners

Students On GrassGro

Student tests show increased understanding of systems since approach began. Surveys indicate favourable response and desire to learn more.

"Very exciting model. Would have liked more time to look at a real-life scenario of how model would fit into a real life farming system".

Teachers On GrassGro

Teachers who have used this software for teaching reported favourably on its use and especially on its ability to engage students in active learning.

"The use of actual simulations allows students to test inferences based on first principles. This is a wonderful learning tool."