The 4th Industrial Revolution: Implications for School-based Agricultural Education

Abstract

Global society has experienced a series of “revolutions” that have had significant impacts on the agriculture industry, including the teaching of agriculture in schools. Moving from foraging to farming, agriculture witnessed the growth of the agro-industrial complex and the move from rural to urban settings, followed by industrial movements from muscle power to mechanical power. Most recently, the advancements in technology and technical agriculture have been supported by the computer revolution and the advent of the internet. Now, the workforce must address the interface of technology systems without human interference including robotics, biotechnology, and the “internet of things”. Agricultural education in the public schools in the U.S., including teacher education, is faced with how best to incorporate technological advancements with technical skill development in agriculture, including curriculum development and enhancement and teaching approaches.