Postsecondary students' perceptions of water issues and water-related educational interests

Abstract

We conducted a nonexperimental, descriptive study to better understand Oklahoma State University students'perceptions of water issues and relevant learning preferences using a 56-item survey instrument we based onthe 2008 Water Issues in Oklahoma survey. In total, 103 agriculture students participated in our survey. Cleandrinking water was their top concern, but few understood potential risks to water supplies. Additionally, participants expressed only modest interest in learning more about water issues. They indicated that theypreferred learning via digital media and traditional fact sheets and expressed little interest in learning via apps, in-person events, and newspaper articles. Our results have implications for delivering water educationprograms to younger college-educated adults.