Using a Farm Safety Checklist to Assess Learner Performance Following a Safety Education Training.

Highlights: Percent agreement score showed moderate acceptability in preparing participants to complete the SFS application. Using self-directed learning to guide the training provided evidence for successful SFS application completion. Researchers plan to modify the self-directed learning approach to increase future SFS training success rates.

Abstract: This study evaluates the use of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) and Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) to improve the accuracy of adult educators' completion of the Safe Farm Steward (SFS) application. PBA is a form of assessment commonly utilized in youth education, but there is limited evidence of its implementation among adults. Through implementing SDL, the researchers introduced a farm safety model to extension agents, agriculture teachers, and college professors to improve their performance assessment. The cohort attended a three-day professional development training followed by farm visitations; the training and visitations employed materials that incorporated SDL techniques. This study's findings indicate that the professional development training was moderately acceptable in preparing the cohort to accurately complete the SFS application. Though the cohort did not meet the expected score on each individual construct, the overall PBA demonstrated moderate acceptability compared to the expected score. The researchers highlight gaps in professional development where recommendations for improvement could be made.