Introduction
In this WebQuest students will explore the close connection between Climate Change and agriculture.They will examine how climate change affects agricultural productivity, collaborate in teams to research and present their findings in the classroom and finally, they will reflect on which impacts may have the most significant long-term effects on production.
Task
By the end of this WebQuest students will be able to:
- Investigate and categorize the positive and negative effects of climate change on agricultural productivity.
- Collaborate in teams to gather evidence, analyze data and present findings on the impacts of climate change.
- Prepare and deliver a clear and engaging presentation of research findings during the Open Event.
- Reflect critically on which impacts may have greater long-term effects and justify opinions based on the research conducted.
Process
Step 1: Introduction to the impacts of Climate Change on the Agricultural Sector
Begin by recognizing how Climate Change affects agricultural production. Agriculture depends on selecting crops suited to local climate conditions and employing appropriate farming practices, making it highly climate-sensitive with distinct regional traits. Climate Change disrupts this system by altering key factors such as temperature, precipitation and sunlight, which impact farming practices, livestock management and water resources.
Watch the following video:
Video summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/105a8zwdkRzWEaU4mCP7m1jC3-Ikjy0_8VwPLThHGP20/edit?tab=t.0
Step 2: Identifying the potential effects of climate change on agricultural productivity-Team Assignments
Students will be split into two teams: one team will research and gather evidence on the 'Positive Impacts' of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity, while the other one will focus on the 'Negative Impacts'.
- Visit the following Google Doc to join a team and check on your assignment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TkgnRRclKLukEYusK1lepZKtmgYeVO02X69PFo1YpfA/edit?usp=sharing
- Add findings in this Padlet: https://padlet.com/meddiet4health/impacts-of-climate-change-on-agricultural-production-z4fs0puathks5vfy
Useful links:
Step 3: Presenting the findings
Teams will present their findings in the classroom.
Step 4: Reflecting on the results of the research
- Teams will assess each other’s answers, according to the rubric provided in the 'Evaluation' section and make a comment to the designated column of the same Padlet.
- Each student will reflect in the lino.it http://linoit.com/users/meddiet4health/canvases/Agricultural%20Productivity to the question ‘Considering both the positive and negative effects of climate change on agriculture, which do you believe will have a greater impact in the long term?’
Evaluation
- Webquest evaluation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOgjGbCZdxqyzPgxcu4Q4uwUAkJpZBViCbV6K1qDU9eby-6A/viewform?usp=sf_link
- Students evaluation: data collected from the answers given in the Padlet and their comments for peers assessment which will be done according to the following rubric:
| Criteria | 5 - Excellent | 4 - Good | 3 - Average | 2 - Needs Improvement | 1 - Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the Topic | Demonstrates a thorough and comprehensive understanding of how climate change affects agricultural production, including the key factors that impact farming practices, livestock management, and water resources. | Exhibits a good understanding of the relationship between climate change and agricultural productivity, with a clear grasp of the main concepts. | Shows a satisfactory understanding of the topic, with some gaps or minor inaccuracies in the knowledge presented. | Displays a limited understanding of the topic, with significant gaps or inaccuracies in the information provided. | Lacks a basic understanding of how climate change impacts the agricultural sector. |
| Research and Evidence | Provides extensive and well-researched evidence from reliable sources to support the positive and negative impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity. Effectively synthesizes the information to present a balanced and insightful analysis. | Gathers relevant research and evidence from credible sources to support the discussion of both positive and negative impacts, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic. | Presents some research and evidence, but the information may be incomplete, biased, or lacking in depth or analysis. | Offers limited research and evidence, with significant gaps or reliance on unreliable sources. | Fails to provide adequate research or evidence to support the discussion of climate change's impacts on agriculture. |
| Clarity and Organization | Presents the information in a clear, well-structured, and logical manner, making it easy for the audience to follow and understand the key points. | Organizes the information in a coherent way, with a clear flow and structure that helps the audience follow the discussion. | Demonstrates a satisfactory level of clarity and organization, but there may be some areas that are unclear or lack a logical flow. | Struggles to present the information in a clear and organized manner, making it difficult for the audience to follow the discussion. | Lacks a clear structure or organization, making the presentation confusing and difficult to follow. |
| Depth of Analysis | Provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity, considering both the positive and negative aspects and their long-term implications. | Offers a thorough analysis of the topic, exploring both the positive and negative impacts of climate change on agriculture in depth. | Demonstrates a satisfactory level of analysis, but may lack depth or nuance in considering the full range of potential impacts. | Presents a limited analysis, with a focus on either positive or negative impacts and lacking a balanced perspective. | Fails to provide a meaningful analysis of the topic, offering only superficial or incomplete information. |
| Reflection and Conclusion | Demonstrates a thoughtful and well-reasoned reflection on the relative impacts of positive and negative effects of climate change on agriculture, drawing insightful conclusions supported by the evidence presented. | Provides a meaningful reflection on the balance of positive and negative impacts, with a clear and well-supported conclusion. | Offers a satisfactory reflection and conclusion, but may lack depth or fail to fully synthesize the information presented. | Presents a limited or superficial reflection, with a conclusion that is not well-supported by the evidence. | Fails to provide a meaningful reflection or conclusion, or the reflection is not aligned with the information presented. |
Conclusion
In this WebQuest students have explored how Climate Change affects Agriculture by examining both its potential benefits and drawbacks and have developed a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities posed by Climate Change. By reflecting on these issues, they are helping to shape solutions that will enable Agriculture to adapt and thrive in the future.
Credits
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was edited by a team of teachers of 2o Esperino EPAL Acharnon (Greece) as part of the activities of the "Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health" (MedDiet4Health) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592).
Through this webquest, students will gain essential skills including understanding how Climate Change impacts Agriculture, conducting research on positive and negative effects and critically analyzing data. They will enhance their ability to work collaboratively in teams, present findings clearly and reflect on the implications of Climate change. Additionally, students will improve their digital literacy by using tools like Padlet and Lino.it and develop problem-solving skills to address challenges in agricultural productivity. This way they will noe only depen their knoledge but also gain practical skills for a futur career in the food systems.
This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.