Cultivating Applied Technology Competencies Among
Diverse Undergraduate Populations: 
Development and Assessment of Course Materials and Teaching Strategies

Innovations in the development of applied 3D or virtual technologies are impacting industries in all sectors of the U.S. economy as organizations increasingly see the value of these technologies for improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced operations. Graduates of Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human (FANH) science programs are expected to be skilled in workplace-relevant (applied) virtual technologies and to be capable of adopting new ones. Thus, through existing partnerships with Industry Collaborators, the two-fold instructional object is (1) to foster an awareness of the importance of applied virtual technology competencies among diverse populations of undergraduate students and (2) to help them cultivate the applied virtual technology competencies necessary for professional success. The two audiences addressed by this project are FANH sciences undergraduate students and organizations that hire graduates of FANH science programs. Materials for education were created comprised of real-world, industry-based problems targeting virtual technology applications. Instructional delivery strategies were created to address students as diverse learners. Materials and strategies were combined to form five virtual modules (V-modules) targeting core virtual technology competencies: critical decision-making, collaboration and teamwork, project management and leadership, spatial visualization, and creative problem-solving. The effectiveness of project outcomes was measured with an assessment tool created to evaluate the materials and delivery strategies. With the goal of enhancing program quality and attracting and retaining a diverse student population, project outcomes will help to meet U.S. workforce needs by cultivating competencies in applied virtual technologies among undergraduates as future FANH science professionals and industry leaders.