PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AS A TOOL FOR TRAINING ON PRECISION LIVESTOCK FARMING

Abstract

This paper describes an experience in the use of the teaching methodology of project-based learning in several undergraduate and postgraduate courses of the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y de Montes. Precision Livestock Farming was chosen as the main topic of the projects, specifically the use of accelerometers to monitor animal activity. The students, working in groups of eight to ten members, have designed and applied a project relating real-world utilities for data recorded by GPS + accelerometer cow collars. This methodology has improved motivation and some of students’ skills. Nevertheless, some problems have arisen regarding the management of working groups and the characteristics of data recorded by cow collars.